Question: Assalamu Alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa baraktuhu Virtuous Shaikh,
We notice at the time of the condolences that some people, when they want to give condolences, hug the condoled. Some people detest this severely saying that there is no origin for it in the Sunnah. They even say that shaking hands [during the condolences] does not have an origin in the Sunnah. So there is no hugging nor shaking hands. They say there is no Hadith which states shaking hands or hugging when giving condolences. So what is your opinion on that? And is the issue revelation-based (توقيفية)? We hope for a quick response.
Answer: “Yes, there is no evidence for intending to hug or shake hands specifically for condolences”*.
[https://www.sh-yahia.net/show_fatawa_289.html]
* Translator’s Note:
Shaikh Ibn ul-‘Uthaymeen rahimahullah said:
“…As for [hugging] while giving condolences, then I do not see this [should be done] and the one who does this should be advised. If he does not respond, then leave him” [Kanz uth-Thameen Fi Su’alaat Ibn Sunayd no. 2-7 pg. 47].
Translated by
Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan
