The Ruling on Gathering for Condolences and Preparing Feasts for the Family of the Deceased

Question:
Hamdan from Jeddah, please go ahead, Hamdan. Peace be upon you. And upon you be peace. I want to ask the Honorable Shaykh: We have a custom among our tribes; when we travel, if someone passes away among us, it happened to me two weeks ago when my son passed away, may Allah have mercy on him. May Allah forgive you and your face. People come from everywhere from our group, from Riyadh, from Tabuk, from the town, from al-Mukhawa, and from every part of the land of al-Mukhawa. They prepare dinner, they take the frankincense, they take the dinner, and they bring the condolence visitors. I do not know if there is something wrong with them taking the dinner, sitting for ten hours, for eleven hours, I do not know if there is something wrong with it or not? Thank you, thank you, Hamdan. Yes, of course, the second question.

Answer:
This practice has no basis; this practice has no basis, my brother. The gathering has no basis for the sake of condolences, and holding feasts has no basis. What is prescribed is to prepare food for the family of the deceased to the extent that it suffices them and give it to them during the days of the calamity. This is what the Sunnah has come with. As for holding gatherings and holding feasts, this has no basis in condolences, and condolences are easier than that. There is no need to travel for the sake of condolences. Yes, by mobile phone, by telephone, the bereaved speaks and you offer him condolences, and praise be to Allah. Yes.