Final Rites [11292012] - AlHuda Sisters

It is also permissible to offer any du’aa to them, such as the one below: “May Allah magnify your reward, make better your solace (relieve your distress with something better) and forgive your deceased.” 3. The condolence should not be restricted to three days only. It is common among the public to follow a baseless Hadith which states, ”There is no condolence over three days.” However, whenever one is able to give the condolence, he should do so. It is affirmed in an authentic Hadith reported by Ahmed on the authority of Abdullah bin Ja’far (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet gave condolences after the third day. This is the opinion of the followers of Imam Ahmed (may Allah be pleased with him) and Imam Shafi’ee, who said: ”The purpose behind the condolence is to make du'aa for the deceased and to remind the bereaved to be patient and forbid them from discontentment, and this is needed for a long time.” 4. It is incumbent to avoid two matters, though many people practice them: • Gathering at the house of the dead person, or a masjid or at the graveyard for receiving the condolences. • Entertaining those who are coming to give condolences and providing food for them. This prohibition is based on a Hadith narrated by Jarir bin ‘Abdullah al-­‐Bajali (may Allah be pleased with him): ”We used to consider gathering in the house of the dead person and providing food (for the guests) after the burial as a form of wailing.” (Ahmed, Ibn Majah) An-­‐Nawawi (may Allah be pleased with him) said in his book ‘Al-­‐Majmoo’, “Sitting for receiving condolences is considered disliked. The scholars said that it is incumbent that people carry on their daily lives normally and if they meet any of them (the family of the deceased), they should express condolences. There is no difference between men and women as regards this ruling and it being a disliked matter.” Imam Shafi’ee said: ”I hate the funeral assemblies even if there was no weeping in them, because they renew the grief and impose on one the trouble of feeding, regarding the cost of food.” (Al-­‐Umm) Condolences can be offered at the Masjid (mosque), when offering the Janazah (Funeral) Prayer, at the graveyard, the street, the market place, the house of the bereaved family, or even by simply calling them up and comforting them with our words and advices. -­‐ 14 -­‐