What is the ruling on one who holds a walimah (wedding feast) upon the death of his father in Ramadan and intends it as charity for him?
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The questioner : A man whose father has passed away has designated a walimah (wedding feast) in Ramadan as charity. What is its ruling?
The Shaykh : The correct term is to say: "deceased," because Allah the Exalted said: and He said: [Az-Zumar 39:42].
As for if he intends by this to feed the poor, there is nothing wrong with it. But if he intends to hold a celebration to which he invites the neighbors and the rich, this is a bid'ah (religious innovation). There is also another thing some people do: they slaughter an animal like the udhiyah (sacrifice), and this is a more severe bid'ah than the first, because the sacrifices of the udhiyah are only for the festival of sacrifice ('Id al-Adha). Then, it is incumbent upon students of knowledge to spread among the general public that not everything is the "dinner of the parents" that takes place in Ramadan. Your supplication for your parent in the tarawih prayer or the tahajjud prayer is far better than slaughtering ten camels for him.
The Shaykh : The correct term is to say: "deceased," because Allah the Exalted said:
Say: The Angel of Death takes your souls
قُلْ يَتَوَفَّاكُمْ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِAllah takes the souls at the time of their death
اللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى الْأَنْفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَاAs for if he intends by this to feed the poor, there is nothing wrong with it. But if he intends to hold a celebration to which he invites the neighbors and the rich, this is a bid'ah (religious innovation). There is also another thing some people do: they slaughter an animal like the udhiyah (sacrifice), and this is a more severe bid'ah than the first, because the sacrifices of the udhiyah are only for the festival of sacrifice ('Id al-Adha). Then, it is incumbent upon students of knowledge to spread among the general public that not everything is the "dinner of the parents" that takes place in Ramadan. Your supplication for your parent in the tarawih prayer or the tahajjud prayer is far better than slaughtering ten camels for him.