Is cooking for bereaved family and inviting others Islamic or biddat?

Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah’s guidance)

when a person has passed away, his immediate family is plunged into grief. In such a situation every possible manner of lessening this grief must be adopted by the relatives, neighbours, friends, etc. To help lessen the grief of a Believer is an extremely virtuous act. It is for this very reason that such great rewards have been mentioned for consoling a bereaved person. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said: “The one who consoles a person who has been afflicted with some calamity, receives the same reward as the afflicted person” (Tirmizi). Hence, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would also personally offer his condolences to the family of the deceased. Therefore, everything must be done to comfort the family and ease the trauma that they are experiencing.

When the news of the martyrdom of Hazrath Ja’far (R.A.) was received, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) instructed the Sahaaba (R.A.) to send food for the family of Hazrath Ja’far (R.A.), since due to their grief, they would now not be able to pay attention to the preparation of food, etc.” (Tirmizi; Ibn Majah). The fuqaha have thus mentioned that it is preferable for the friends, relatives, etc. to send food for the bereaved family for one day. (Durrul Mukhtaar, vol.1, pg. 841).

At this point it is known that by gathering and inviting other people at the funeral home for meals, a burden is placed upon the bereaved family. This does not serve the purpose of lessening their grief in any way. Hence, this is against the Sunnah and should be avoided.

And Only Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.

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Moulana Qamruz Zaman
London, UK