Question:
What do the scholars and experts of Shari’ah say regarding giving condolences to the family of the deceased and raising both hands in prayer whilst reciting Surah al-Fatiha? Are these permissible?
Answer:
Visiting family members of the deceased to express ones condolences is allowed, as is making Du’a for forgiveness. Making Du’a for the relatives of the deceased is also permissible. As for raising hands for Du’a on the occasion of condolence, it is allowed because raising hands in Du’a’ is illustrated in the Ahadith. So there is no harm on such an occasion. However, the hands are not raised whilst expressing condolences.
Offering condolences is recommended after burial but it is disliked to do this near the grave. There are three days for offering condolences and the first day is the best. In Sharh Sayyed it is mentioned: ‘In the matter of condolences there is no harm to sit for three days but there should not be any forbidden acts such as laying expensive carpets and arranging or preparing food by the family of the deceased to visitors.’
And Allah ﷻ knows the best
Imam Ahmad Rida Khan رحمة الله تعالى عليه
Translation by Dr Musharraf Hussain Al-Azhari Translator of Majestic Quran, www.majesticquran.co.uk
