Islamic Verdicts - Volume III

The book of funerals

Rulings Pertaining to Condolences

The ruling on Condolences and how they are to be given - Is there a specific time for them and should Condolences be given for the Infant and the extremely Old Person who dies?

Q: Is specifying three days for condolences for the family of the deceased considered from the innovated matters, and are there any condolences to be given for the infant, the elderly person and the terminally ill person after their death?

A: Giving condolences is a Sunnah due to what it contains of showing support for the one stricken with a calamity, and supplicating for good for him. There is no difference in that as to whether the deceased is a child or an adult. There is no specific wording for it. Rather, the Muslim consoles his brother by whatever is easy of appropriate words, for example saying: "May Allah make your condolences good and grant you strength in your calamity and forgive your deceased." This is if the deceased was a Muslim. However, if the deceased was a disbeliever, supplications should not be made for him. Condolences are only given to his Muslim relatives with words similar to what has been mentioned (i.e., condolences to non-Muslims should not include such supplication for them).

There is no specified time for condolences, nor any specified clays. Rather, it is legislated from the time of the death of the deceased. It may be before the funeral prayer and after it, and before the burial and after it. It is better to make haste in giving the condolences early on in the case of severe calamity. It is also allowed to give condolences after three days from the passing of the deceased, as there is no evidence that proves any restriction.

Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz

The ruling on travelling for the sake of giving Condolences

Q: What is the ruling regarding someone who travels for the sake of giving condolences to a relative or a friend? Is it permissible to give condolences before the burial?

A: We do not know of any harm in travelling to give condolences to a relative or friend, due to what that contains of supporting, consoling and lightening the pains of the misfortune. There is no harm in giving condolences before the burial and after it. The closer that the condolences are given to (lie time of the calamity, the better it is for lightening its pains. And success is from Allah.

Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz

The ruling on specifying a particular time for accepting Condolences like the gathering of the Family of the Deceased for three days

Q: In some countries, when a person dies, the family of the deceased sits in order to accept condolences after the Maghrib prayer for a period of three days. Is this permissible or is it an innovation?

A: Giving condolence to the person who has been stricken with the misfortune of a death (i.e., loss of a loved one) is legislated. There is no problem with this. In reference to specifying a particular time for accepting the condolences and making it three days, then this is from the innovations. Verily, it is confirmed from the Messenger of Allah (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) that he said: "Whoever does a deed that is not in accordance with our matter, then it is rejected" (Muslim no.   1718).

And success is with Allah.

The Permanent Committee