What is the ruling on preparing food as an act of charity in the deceased's home on the first day of his death, with the participation of neighbors and relatives in its preparation?
It is disliked for the family of the deceased to prepare food for the people who gather with them, unless there is a necessity for it, such as the arrival of guests from distant places who will spend the night with them. And it is disliked to eat from this food.
If the food is from the inheritance and there is a minor among the heirs or someone who has not given permission, then it is forbidden to prepare it and to eat from it, because it is a disposal of someone else's property without their permission. Some scholars have considered gathering for food in the house of the deceased an disliked innovation (bid'ah makroohah), and forbidden if there is a minor among the heirs. It is preferred to provide prepared food to the family of the deceased.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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