Three Sharʿī Guidelines on Hosting Meals by the Family of the Deceased
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitāb al-Janā’iz, Page 511
In some communities, after burying a deceased person, the family prepares food and serves it to both rich and poor in what is referred to as "khairāt" (charity), with the belief that it earns reward. What is the Islamic ruling on this practice?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
◈ There is no basis in the Qur’an or authentic Sunnah for the deceased's family to prepare and serve food to others.
✔ Rather, the established practice from the life of the Prophet ﷺ is opposite to this.
The Prophet ﷺ said after the martyrdom of Jaʿfar ibn Abī Ṭālib (رضي الله عنه):
“Prepare food for the family of Jaʿfar, for something has befallen them that preoccupies them.”
🗂 Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3132 – Ḥadīth with ḥasan isnād
✔ The bereaved family should not host meals or entertain guests.
✔ Instead, neighbors, relatives, and community members should send food to support the grieving family.
✔ The popular form of meal invitations practiced today has no connection to Isāl al-Thawāb.
✔ If one wishes to feed the poor in memory of the deceased, it should be done:
– at a later suitable time,
– without any gatherings,
– and not treated as a formal ritual.
Reference: al-Ḥadīth, Issue 45
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitāb al-Janā’iz, Page 511
❖ Question
In some communities, after burying a deceased person, the family prepares food and serves it to both rich and poor in what is referred to as "khairāt" (charity), with the belief that it earns reward. What is the Islamic ruling on this practice?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
✦ Ruling on the Bereaved Family Preparing Food for Others
➊ Such Food Preparation Is an Innovation (Bidʿah)
◈ There is no basis in the Qur’an or authentic Sunnah for the deceased's family to prepare and serve food to others.
✔ Rather, the established practice from the life of the Prophet ﷺ is opposite to this.
The Prophet ﷺ said after the martyrdom of Jaʿfar ibn Abī Ṭālib (رضي الله عنه):“Prepare food for the family of Jaʿfar, for something has befallen them that preoccupies them.”
🗂 Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3132 – Ḥadīth with ḥasan isnād
➋ Islamic Guideline from the Ḥadīth
✔ The bereaved family should not host meals or entertain guests.
✔ Instead, neighbors, relatives, and community members should send food to support the grieving family.
➌ True Method of Isāl al-Thawāb (Sending Reward to the Deceased)
✔ The popular form of meal invitations practiced today has no connection to Isāl al-Thawāb.
✔ If one wishes to feed the poor in memory of the deceased, it should be done:
– at a later suitable time,
– without any gatherings,
– and not treated as a formal ritual.
Reference: al-Ḥadīth, Issue 45ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
