Q: I noticed at musjids food is provided when a person dies. Can such food be eaten by all those that attend. I read mixed stuff on this. Thankx imam.

A: It is part of sunnah to feed the family that has lost a member. It baffles me that people during sadness must make arrangements for feeding happy people. And what is more sad, people that are happy expect to get food from grieving members.

However, if the family of the deceased do choose to feed, they should do so voluntarily, not as a result of them feeling obligated to do so. The food cannot be purchased from the inheritance of the deceased. None of the inheritors must feel obligated to put money into the purchasing of serving of the food.

Additionally, people should break this habit by informing the family that has lost a member that they would drop by, but not for food. If perchance their is food, one can eat, so long as the food is given without any wrongful beliefs as it relates to ones aqeebah.

Visitors should also try an take a small dish so as to make it easy for the members of the deceased family.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.