| Bismillah
Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah’s guidance)
This practice is Bid’ah (innovation) and has no basis in Shari’ah.
The loss of a loved one is a very traumatic situation and experience. 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) said: “The one who consoles a person who has been afflicted with some calamity, receives the same reward as the afflicted person” (Tirmizi)
There are two types of actions where one can benefit the deceased:
a) Physical worship, e.g. Du’aa, Dhikr, Tilaawat, etc. b) Monetary worship, e.g. charity, etc.
Mourning:
According to the Shari’ah, the period of mourning is only three days. It is not permissible to mourn for more than three days.
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, ‘None should mourn the death of a person but for three days.’ (Bukhari)
It is clear from the abovementioned Hadith that it is not permissible to mourn the death of a person after three days. The only exception is the widow, which is for four months and 10 days. this is confirmed in the Quran (2:234).
Preparing food for the bereaved family:
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).
And Only Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.
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Moulana Qamruz Zaman
London, UK
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