The Recommendation of Preparing Food for the Family of the Deceased

Question:
Your Eminence the Shaykh! This message came from Boumerdas, Algeria, from the questioner Abd al-Raouf. In his first question, he says: What is the ruling in the Shari'ah regarding what is called the dinner for the deceased, O Shaykh?

Answer:
If they prepare dinner for the deceased, it is a recommended practice (sunnah). When a person dies, it is prescribed for his neighbors and relatives to prepare dinner for them, or to send them dinner, because they are occupied with the calamity. It is established from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that when the news came of Ja'far, Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, when he was killed in the Battle of Mu'tah, he said to his family (peace and blessings be upon him): "Prepare food for the family of Ja'far, for something has come to them that occupies them." So when a person's relative or neighbor dies, it is recommended for his family to prepare food for them, because they are occupied with the death. As for the family of the deceased, they do not prepare anything; it is a religious innovation (bid'ah). Their preparing food for people, and inviting people, is called a mourning gathering (ma'tam); it is not done. Jarir ibn 'Abd al-Bij (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "We considered gathering with the family of the deceased and preparing food after the death to be part of wailing." They gather to wail over him, or they prepare food for people and invite them, so it is not correct. However, if they come to offer condolences, the neighbors or others come to console them, or they send them food because they are occupied, there is no harm. May Allah reward you, Your Eminence.