Bid`ahs in funerals

Q 1: Some people slaughter two or more sheep when a person dies and this is called the dinner of the deceased. Sometimes they invite people to the dinner directly after Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer believing that this meal should not be offered later than Maghrib. The meat may be distributed among people uncooked. Please, advise us in this regard.

A: Preparing food by the bereaved is Bid`ah (innovation in religion), and the Salaf (righteous predecessors) used to consider it an act of wailing. The act of Sunnah on such an occasion is that people make food and send it to the bereaved family because they are in need of someone to alleviate their ordeal.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.