traits found among people are acts of unbelief—two characteristics that people commit which belong to the qualities of disbelief: the first is disparaging lineage, and the second is wailing over the deceased. Wailing over the deceased occurs when women—or men as well, though it is more common among women—weep for the dead with a drawn-out, dove-like lament, producing a distinctive, melodic cry. This is forbidden, and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, cursed the woman who wails and the one who lends her ear to it.

Among the forms of wailing is what some people do today: they assemble in the house of the deceased, food is brought to them or they themselves prepare food and gather around it. This is unlawful, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, cursed the wailing woman and the listener, and such gatherings fall under that censure. In the hadith of Jarir ibn ʿAbd Allah al-Bajali (may Allah be pleased with him) he said, “We used to regard gathering in the house of the deceased and the preparation of food as a type of wailing.” He was a well-known and eminent Companion, and the Companions therefore considered this practice a form of wailing.

For this reason the relatives of the deceased are advised, when a death occurs, not to open their doors for visitors offering condolences, for that is an objectionable innovation; the Companions never did so. Moreover, it contains a measure of objection to Allah’s decree and preordination. What is required of a person is contentment, submission, and that he keep his door closed, and whoever wishes to