Slaughtering sheep for the condolence visitors at the deceased's house and the family preparing the food

Question:
The questioner says: We have noticed in recent times that when a person dies, crowds of people come to offer condolences. The deceased's relatives, other than his immediate family, slaughter sheep for the visitors at the deceased's house. Is that permissible?

Answer:
The deceased's family should not prepare a feast. Rather, the deceased's family are stricken and grieving, and food is sent to them by their neighbors and relatives, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did when the news of the death of his uncle Ja'far reached him on the day of Mu'tah. He said to his family: "Prepare food for the family of Ja'far, for something has come to them that occupies them." As for the deceased's family and relatives preparing food in the deceased's house for the visitors, this should not be adopted, and it is not permissible to adopt it. In a family that is not good, Jarir ibn Abdullah al-Badri said: "We used to consider gathering at the deceased's house and preparing food to be part of the burial and the wailing." So the visitors offer their condolences and leave. If some of the villagers or the village chief invite them, there is no harm. But the deceased's family are never burdened with preparing food, and it is not permissible to burden them with this, nor should they burden themselves with this matter. Rather, food is sent to the deceased's family by their neighbors and relatives during the days of condolence, the first, second, and third day, and there is no harm in more; because they are occupied and stricken. As for them being the ones who prepare food for people, no.