and associating him with Allah, adjuring Allah by him, asking him to fulfill their needs, seeking his aid, and turning to him—all contrary (1) to the practice of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. His was a practice of affirming Allah’s oneness and doing good to the deceased, whereas theirs is a practice (2) of associating partners with Allah and harming themselves and the deceased. They fall into three categories: those who supplicate to the deceased, those who supplicate through him, and those who supplicate (3) beside him, believing that supplication there is more incumbent and more fitting than supplication in mosques. Whoever reflects on the practice of Allah’s Messenger and his Companions will clearly see the difference between the two. Success is granted by Allah.

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His practice included offering condolences to the family of the deceased. It was not his practice for people to gather to offer condolences (4), or for the Quran to be recited for the deceased, whether at the grave or elsewhere. All of this is a reprehensible innovation introduced after him.

His practice was to remain calm, be content with Allah’s decree, praise Allah (5), and say, “Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return” (6). He disavowed anyone who tore his clothes because of a calamity or raised his voice