Ruling on sending food to the family of the deceased from relatives and neighbors

Question:
The questioner is your sister in Allah, Umm 'Abdullah. She has two questions. In the first question, she says: We see that some people, when a relative passes away, gather in one house; that is, the family members gather, including brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts. We find that their relatives and acquaintances send them food for three days, and sometimes it is more than three days. Is there anything wrong with that?

Answer:
There is nothing wrong with that. It is the Sunnah for the relatives of the deceased or their neighbors to send them food; they send them food because they have been afflicted with something that occupies them. When Ja'far was killed, when Ja'far ibn Abi Talib was killed at Mu'tah in the Levant, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to his family: He said to his family: . So it is the Sunnah for their neighbors or relatives to send them food during the days of grief, three days or more. If others visit them and offer condolences, that is better; it is the Sunnah of offering condolences. As for the family of the deceased, no, it is not permissible for the family of the deceased to prepare anything. However, regarding the condolences, the fact that they are visited and offered condolences is the Sunnah. Yes.

The presenter: Is offering condolences by telephone permissible, O Shaykh?

The Shaykh: There is nothing wrong with the telephone or with writing; it is all good.

The presenter: May Allah reward you.