❀ Legitimacy of Sending Food to the Family of the Deceased ❀
Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
In the difficult time of bereavement, sending food to the family of the deceased is a legislated (mashrūʿ) and commendable Sunnah in Islam. This act of compassion is derived from the practice and instruction of the Prophet ﷺ himself.
Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn Jaʿfar رضي الله عنهما:
"When the news of the martyrdom of Jaʿfar ibn Abī Ṭālib رضي الله عنه came, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
‘Prepare food for the family of Jaʿfar, for something has happened to them that has preoccupied them.’”
(اصْنَعُوا لِآلِ جَعْفَرٍ طَعَامًا، فَقَدْ أَتَاهُمْ مَا يُشْغِلُهُمْ)
References:
✔ Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 2686
✔ Kitāb al-Janāʾiz: Bāb Ṣanʿat al-Ṭaʿām li-Ahli al-Mayyet
✔ Abū Dāwūd: 3132
✔ Al-Tirmidhī: 998
✔ Ibn Mājah: 1610
✔ Musnad Aḥmad: 1/205
✔ Al-Dāraqutnī: 2/79
✔ Al-Ḥumaydī: 537
✔ ʿAbd al-Razzāq: 6665
Hadith Status: Ḥasan (sound)
◉ The Prophet ﷺ instructed his companions to prepare and send food to the family of Jaʿfar because their grief and concern prevented them from cooking for themselves.
◉ This indicates that it is a virtuous and supportive act to help the grieving family by sending them meals during the days immediately following the death.
It is Sunnah to send food to the household of the deceased.
The food should be sent to assist, not to create burden or transform into an unnecessary tradition.
The family of the deceased should not be expected to host meals or prepare food for others — rather, it is the community's duty to care for them.
✔ Sending food to the bereaved family is a legislated Sunnah, clearly established in the Hadith of Jaʿfar رضي الله عنه.
✔ This act represents empathy, support, and communal responsibility.
✔ It helps relieve the grieving family from the burden of meal preparation during their time of emotional distress.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
❖ Introduction
In the difficult time of bereavement, sending food to the family of the deceased is a legislated (mashrūʿ) and commendable Sunnah in Islam. This act of compassion is derived from the practice and instruction of the Prophet ﷺ himself.
✿ Authentic Hadith on the Practice
Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn Jaʿfar رضي الله عنهما:
"When the news of the martyrdom of Jaʿfar ibn Abī Ṭālib رضي الله عنه came, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
‘Prepare food for the family of Jaʿfar, for something has happened to them that has preoccupied them.’”
(اصْنَعُوا لِآلِ جَعْفَرٍ طَعَامًا، فَقَدْ أَتَاهُمْ مَا يُشْغِلُهُمْ)
References:
✔ Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 2686
✔ Kitāb al-Janāʾiz: Bāb Ṣanʿat al-Ṭaʿām li-Ahli al-Mayyet
✔ Abū Dāwūd: 3132
✔ Al-Tirmidhī: 998
✔ Ibn Mājah: 1610
✔ Musnad Aḥmad: 1/205
✔ Al-Dāraqutnī: 2/79
✔ Al-Ḥumaydī: 537
✔ ʿAbd al-Razzāq: 6665
Hadith Status: Ḥasan (sound)
✿ Explanation
◉ The Prophet ﷺ instructed his companions to prepare and send food to the family of Jaʿfar because their grief and concern prevented them from cooking for themselves.
◉ This indicates that it is a virtuous and supportive act to help the grieving family by sending them meals during the days immediately following the death.
❖ Key Ruling
It is Sunnah to send food to the household of the deceased. The food should be sent to assist, not to create burden or transform into an unnecessary tradition. The family of the deceased should not be expected to host meals or prepare food for others — rather, it is the community's duty to care for them.❖ Conclusion
✔ Sending food to the bereaved family is a legislated Sunnah, clearly established in the Hadith of Jaʿfar رضي الله عنه.
✔ This act represents empathy, support, and communal responsibility.
✔ It helps relieve the grieving family from the burden of meal preparation during their time of emotional distress.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
