Using estate funds to pay for funeral meals

[ummtaalib]

Q. Is one allowed to use the money of the deceased to pay for the food that is given on the funeral day? If one comes to know that the food was paid for using the money of the deceased, is one allowed to consume this food?

 

(Question published as received)

 

A. The wealth of the deceased person may not be used to feed people at the home of the deceased. Such wealth forms part of their estate that has to be distributed to the rightful heirs.

 

However, if all the heirs are mature and they mutually agree to feed the people using the estate money, then it will be permitted, otherwise not.

 

It is important to note that the Islamic teaching in this regard is not to burden the grieving family to prepare food for visitors. Rather, Islam encourages the community to provide for the family to lessen the burden of their grief.

 

Sayyidatuna Asma bint Umais Radhiyallahu Anha reports, “When Ja’far (Radiallahu Anhu) was martyred, the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam went to his (own) family and said: ‘The family of Ja’far are consumed with the matter of their deceased, so prepare food for them.’” (Ibn Majah 1611)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

 

Mufti Moosa Salie

Mufti Taahir Hansa

 

(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.)

 

Fatwa Department
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) 
Council of Muslim Theologians