Preparing feasts for the family of the deceased
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Q: It is customary among the people in our area, when a member of the tribe passes away (and this is naturally the case in many tribal societies), for them to participate in burying their dead after praying over them. Then they slaughter some animals for the family of the deceased in their home to share in their grief and eat with them on the first day, either lunch or dinner or both. Then, in the following days, the relatives and kin of the deceased (from outside the deceased's immediate family) hold
consecutive feasts daily, which may last for more than a month, with a different family hosting each day. Although this custom aims to strengthen bonds of love and harmony among people, it has many drawbacks, including the inability of some to keep up with others in holding these feasts for the family of the deceased, forcing them to go into debt. In addition, the repeated feasts for the family of the deceased cause daily disturbance and waste of blessings, sometimes throwing food into the garbage. The question, Your Eminence the Mufti, consists of two parts: The first question: Is it permissible to share with the family of the deceased on the first day by bringing them food and eating with them? The second question: What is the ruling on the slaughtering of animals or invitations to the family in the subsequent days by the relatives and kin of the family of the deceased, which may extend for many days? I ask Your Eminence to answer this fatwa and publish the answer so that people may learn from it. May Allah guide you and direct your steps toward what is good and righteous, and may Allah reward you with good.
A: Consoling the family of the deceased is a prescribed matter, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did so when he consoled his daughter over the loss of her child. Consolation may take place in any location where a Muslim encounters his brother; a Muslim may console the bereaved family wherever he meets them, whether in the mosque during the funeral prayer, in the cemetery, on the street, in the market, in their home, or by telephone. It is not prescribed to set up tents or install
canopies, light up the area, or bring in reciters, as some do these days. It is prescribed to prepare food for the family of the deceased to the extent required by need, without extravagance, because they are occupied with their grief. This is indicated by his statement (peace and blessings be upon him) when he was informed of the martyrdom of his cousin Ja'far ibn Abi Talib :Sunan Ibn Majah 1610Hasan (Darussalam). As for holding feasts, slaughtering animals for many days, and gathering to eat such food in the manner described by the questioner, this is not permissible. It is incumbent to disapprove of it to those who do it and to refrain from participating in it in any way.
consecutive feasts daily, which may last for more than a month, with a different family hosting each day. Although this custom aims to strengthen bonds of love and harmony among people, it has many drawbacks, including the inability of some to keep up with others in holding these feasts for the family of the deceased, forcing them to go into debt. In addition, the repeated feasts for the family of the deceased cause daily disturbance and waste of blessings, sometimes throwing food into the garbage. The question, Your Eminence the Mufti, consists of two parts: The first question: Is it permissible to share with the family of the deceased on the first day by bringing them food and eating with them? The second question: What is the ruling on the slaughtering of animals or invitations to the family in the subsequent days by the relatives and kin of the family of the deceased, which may extend for many days? I ask Your Eminence to answer this fatwa and publish the answer so that people may learn from it. May Allah guide you and direct your steps toward what is good and righteous, and may Allah reward you with good.
A: Consoling the family of the deceased is a prescribed matter, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did so when he consoled his daughter over the loss of her child. Consolation may take place in any location where a Muslim encounters his brother; a Muslim may console the bereaved family wherever he meets them, whether in the mosque during the funeral prayer, in the cemetery, on the street, in the market, in their home, or by telephone. It is not prescribed to set up tents or install
canopies, light up the area, or bring in reciters, as some do these days. It is prescribed to prepare food for the family of the deceased to the extent required by need, without extravagance, because they are occupied with their grief. This is indicated by his statement (peace and blessings be upon him) when he was informed of the martyrdom of his cousin Ja'far ibn Abi Talib :
Prepare food for the family of Ja’far, for there has come to them that which is keeping them busy
اصنعوا لآل جعفر طعامًا فقد أتاهم ما يشغلهم
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.