The Ruling on Bequeathing the Holding of Feasts After Death

Question: Some people hold feasts and slaughter animals upon the death of some of their relatives, and the cost of these feasts is paid from the deceased's wealth. What is the ruling on this? And if the deceased bequeaths the holding of such feasts after his death, does the Shari'ah obligate the heirs to carry out this bequest?

Answer: Bequeathing the holding of feasts after death is a religious innovation (bid'ah) and a practice of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance (jahiliyyah). Likewise, the practice of the deceased's family in holding the aforementioned feasts, even without a bequest, is reprehensible and not permissible. This is because it is established from Jarir ibn Abdullah al-Bajali (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: "We used to consider gathering with the family of the deceased and preparing food after the burial to be part of the wailing (niyahah)."
Imam Ahmad narrated it with a good chain; and because that is contrary to what Allah has prescribed, which is to assist the family of the deceased by preparing food for them, as they are occupied with the calamity. This is based on what is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that when he was informed of the martyrdom of Ja'far ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) in the Battle of Mu'tah, he said to his family:
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