Ruling on Attending a Condolence Gathering When There Are Innovations
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Q: Is it permissible to attend a condolence gathering for a deceased person if there are innovations present, such as reciting the Qur'an while raising the hands before giving the greeting?
A: It is a recommended practice (sunnah) to visit the family of the deceased to offer condolences. If there is something wrong (munkar) among them, it should be pointed out and clarified to them. Thus, the one offering condolences combines two benefits: he consoles them and points out their errors and advises them. As for merely reciting the Qur'an, there is nothing wrong with it. If they gather and one of them recites the Qur'an during their gathering, such as reciting Surat al-Fatihah or others, there is nothing wrong with it, and there is no error in that. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to recite the Qur'an when he gathered with his Companions. So, if they gather in their sitting for the condolences and one of them, or some of them, recites something from the Qur'an, that is better than their silence.
As for if there are innovations other than this, such as the family of the deceased preparing food for people, they should be taught and advised to leave that off. It is incumbent upon the one offering condolences, if he sees something wrong, to offer advice. The Exalted and Majestic is He says: Indeed, man is in loss, except those who have faith and do righteous deeds and enjoin one another to truth and enjoin one another to patience [Al-Asr:1-3]. And the Exalted and Majestic is He says: [Al-Ma'idah:2]. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih Muslim 49a.
As for the questioner's statement that the one offering condolences raises his hands and recites the Qur'an before entering and giving the greeting, that is an innovation (bid'ah) and has no basis. However, if one of them recites the Qur'an for the benefit of all, there is nothing wrong with it.
A: It is a recommended practice (sunnah) to visit the family of the deceased to offer condolences. If there is something wrong (munkar) among them, it should be pointed out and clarified to them. Thus, the one offering condolences combines two benefits: he consoles them and points out their errors and advises them. As for merely reciting the Qur'an, there is nothing wrong with it. If they gather and one of them recites the Qur'an during their gathering, such as reciting Surat al-Fatihah or others, there is nothing wrong with it, and there is no error in that. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to recite the Qur'an when he gathered with his Companions. So, if they gather in their sitting for the condolences and one of them, or some of them, recites something from the Qur'an, that is better than their silence.
As for if there are innovations other than this, such as the family of the deceased preparing food for people, they should be taught and advised to leave that off. It is incumbent upon the one offering condolences, if he sees something wrong, to offer advice. The Exalted and Majestic is He says:
By Time,
وَالْعَصْرِ And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.
وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِHe who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart, and that is the least of faith.
من رأى منكم منكرًا فليغيره بيده فإن لم يستطع فبلسانه فإن لم يستطع فبقلبه وذلك أضعف الإيمانAs for the questioner's statement that the one offering condolences raises his hands and recites the Qur'an before entering and giving the greeting, that is an innovation (bid'ah) and has no basis. However, if one of them recites the Qur'an for the benefit of all, there is nothing wrong with it.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.