Is condolence limited to a specific place?
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The questioner : This questioner asks: Is condolence limited to a specific place or restricted to a specific place?
The Shaykh : Condolence means strengthening the bereaved to bear the calamity, and it is a recommended practice (sunnah) when you see your brother afflicted and affected by the calamity.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : You console him, strengthen him, and remind him of the reward in patience, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to one of his daughters: thereby encouraging her to be patient to ease the calamity for her and make her forget it.
As for what some people do during condolence, such as opening their doors, turning on the lights, arranging chairs, bringing food, and perhaps bringing someone to recite the Qur'an or similar things, this is something people have innovated, and it is among the religious innovations (bid'ah) that include harms such as wasting time and wasting money, and selling the Qur'an if they bring a reciter to read for a fee. It may also be a cause for wailing and lamentation. For this reason, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) considered gathering at the deceased's home and preparing food to be part of wailing, and wailing is among the major sins. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) cursed the woman who wails and the one who listens to her, and he said:Sahih Muslim 934
Condolence is not restricted to a specific place. A person is consoled in the mosque, in the market, or in the school, because the purpose and reality of condolence is that when a person sees his brother afflicted and affected, he says, "My brother, be patient and seek reward, for Allah has taken what He took and given what He gave, or kept what He kept, and everything with Him is by a specified term. What has happened cannot be changed, nor can it be advanced or delayed, and your sadness only increases your misery," or similar words that encourage him to be patient, seek reward, and refrain from excessive grief. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Condolence means strengthening the bereaved to bear the calamity, and it is a recommended practice (sunnah) when you see your brother afflicted and affected by the calamity.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : You console him, strengthen him, and remind him of the reward in patience, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to one of his daughters:
Tell her to be patient and seek reward, for Allah has taken what He took and kept what He kept, and everything with Him is by a specified term.
مرها فلتصبر ولتحتسب فإن لله ما أخذ وله ما أبقى وكل شيء عنده بأجل مسمىAs for what some people do during condolence, such as opening their doors, turning on the lights, arranging chairs, bringing food, and perhaps bringing someone to recite the Qur'an or similar things, this is something people have innovated, and it is among the religious innovations (bid'ah) that include harms such as wasting time and wasting money, and selling the Qur'an if they bring a reciter to read for a fee. It may also be a cause for wailing and lamentation. For this reason, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) considered gathering at the deceased's home and preparing food to be part of wailing, and wailing is among the major sins. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) cursed the woman who wails and the one who listens to her, and he said:
If the wailing woman does not repent before she dies, she will be made to stand on the Day of Resurrection wearing a garment of pitch and a chemise of mange.
النائحة إذا لم تتُب قبل موتها تُقام يوم القيامة وعليها سربال من قطران ودرع من جربCondolence is not restricted to a specific place. A person is consoled in the mosque, in the market, or in the school, because the purpose and reality of condolence is that when a person sees his brother afflicted and affected, he says, "My brother, be patient and seek reward, for Allah has taken what He took and given what He gave, or kept what He kept, and everything with Him is by a specified term. What has happened cannot be changed, nor can it be advanced or delayed, and your sadness only increases your misery," or similar words that encourage him to be patient, seek reward, and refrain from excessive grief. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.