Ways of offering condolences

A: Firstly: It is an act of the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to offer condolences to the family of the deceased. This is proven by the deeds and sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Secondly: It is also an act of Sunnah to make food for the family of the deceased, for it is narrated on the authority of `Abdullah ibn Ja`far that he said: When the news of the death of Ja`far (may Allah be pleased with him) came that he was killed, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Make food for the family of Ja`far, for there has come to them something that is distracting them. Related by the Five Compilers of Hadith except for Al-Nasa'y. Thirdly: The mourners' gathering at the house of the deceased family and making food for the mourners (Part No. 9; Page No. 134) after the burial is not permissible. The basic rule in this regard is what Imam Ahmad narrated on the authority of Jarir ibn `Abdullah Al-Bajaly who said: We used to consider sitting with the family of the deceased and making food for mourners after burial as a sort of wailing. Fourth: It is Haram (prohibited) on the part of the people of the village to collect money to set up pavilions or big tents upon the death of any of them for three days during which the deceased's family receives groups of mourners in that pavilions and they sit for a period of time then others come and so on until the three days are over. This is baseless Bid`ah (innovation in religion).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.