What Is The Ruling On Expressing Condolences?

What is the ruling on expressing condolences?

Expressing condolences is to share the grief of the relatives of the deceased person and to say words to console and give relief to them. Prophet Muhammad (saw) said about visiting a person who experiences a catastrophe: “Whoever consoles a person with an affliction, then he gets the same reward as him.” (Tirmidhi, Jana’iz, 72). Likewise, he said by advising to give condolences to those whose relative dies,“Whoever consoles a bereaved mother will be dressed in Paradise.” (Tirmidhi, Jana’iz, 75).

One should not give condolences after three days in order not to refresh the grief of the relatives of a dead person (Ibn Hajar, Fath, III, 146). A person who gives condolences wishes patience and strength for the deceased person’s relatives and makes good duas for the dead person (Nasa’i, Jana’iz, 120).

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWA