Permissibility and desirability of offering condolences (ta'ziyah) after burial

Primary text

The general evidence supports the desirability of offering condolences after burial, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): "Whoever consoles an afflicted person, he receives a reward like his reward." This was narrated by Al-Tirmidhi, who classified it as a strange hadith. Furthermore, Ibn Majah narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "There is no believer who consoles his brother upon a calamity except that Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, will clothe him with the robes of honor on the Day of Resurrection." Abu Barzah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever consoles a bereaved mother, he will be clothed in a garment in Paradise." The intent of condolences is to comfort the family of the afflicted, fulfill their rights, seek closeness to them, and the need for consolation exists after burial just as it exists before.