Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman Azmi رحمه الله
Ruling on Holding Food Gatherings After Death
Bequeathing the holding of food gatherings after death is an innovation (بدعت) and a practice of the Age of Ignorance (جاہلیت). Similarly, it is undesirable in Shari’ah for the family of the deceased to establish such gatherings, even if the deceased had made a bequest to that effect. This is because it is reported from Jarir bin Abdullah al-Bajali رضي الله عنه that he said:
"We used to consider gathering at the house of the deceased and preparing food after burial as a type of lamentation (نوحہ)."
[Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith no. 1612]
Furthermore, this practice contradicts what the Shari’ah has commanded, which is to prepare food for the family of the deceased as a means of consolation and support, since they are preoccupied with their grief. When the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم received news of the martyrdom of Jaʿfar رضي الله عنه, he said:
"Prepare food for the family of Jaʿfar, for there has come to them that which has preoccupied them."
[Ibn Baz: Majmoo’ al-Fatawa wa al-Maqalat: 98/20]
Ruling on Holding Food Gatherings After Death
Bequeathing the holding of food gatherings after death is an innovation (بدعت) and a practice of the Age of Ignorance (جاہلیت). Similarly, it is undesirable in Shari’ah for the family of the deceased to establish such gatherings, even if the deceased had made a bequest to that effect. This is because it is reported from Jarir bin Abdullah al-Bajali رضي الله عنه that he said:
"We used to consider gathering at the house of the deceased and preparing food after burial as a type of lamentation (نوحہ)."
[Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith no. 1612]
Furthermore, this practice contradicts what the Shari’ah has commanded, which is to prepare food for the family of the deceased as a means of consolation and support, since they are preoccupied with their grief. When the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم received news of the martyrdom of Jaʿfar رضي الله عنه, he said:
"Prepare food for the family of Jaʿfar, for there has come to them that which has preoccupied them."
[Ibn Baz: Majmoo’ al-Fatawa wa al-Maqalat: 98/20]
