How do we respond to those who consider preparing food as a dinner for the deceased for people, citing the hadith (Prepare food for the family of Ja'far, for something has come to them that occupies them)?

The questioner : And those who rely on the hadith ?

The Shaykh : Yes. We say this is upon our eyes and heads. He said , but he did not say to the family of Ja'far, "Prepare food for people to come to you to eat." Then, he cited a cause that may not exist in many cases. He said . In our time, and praise be to Allah, nothing occupies people from preparing food. And if they are unable to prepare it at home, what is easier than for them to go to their nearest restaurant and buy whatever they wish? When a ruling is cited with a cause, it ceases when that cause ceases. Did the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) say, "Prepare food for them to gather people around it"? Never. And if he had said, "Prepare food to gather people around it," that would have been more of a burden for them than preparing the food itself. Yes.

The questioner : May Allah reward you and bless you, O honorable Shaykh.