Is Giving Food Out Permissible In Muharram?

As-salamu alaykum, wa Rahmatu Allah. In the holy month of Muharram and the holy month of Safar, whichever Majalis you go to, you will always find that there is food at the end of the Majlis. I hope that is not your intention for why you are attending the Majlis. But there is always food. And it is unbelievable how you can continue to cook food in honour of the martyrs of the tenth of Muharram, and that food continues to be served for thousands upon thousands. It just does not run out.

Now, some people have now asked the question that "is this part of the teachings of Ahl Al-Bayt, salawat Allahi wa as-salamu alayhim, about cooking food, about cooking Niyaz, as we call it in certain cultures? We reply by saying that from the time of the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him and his family, and continuing with the lives of the Imams of Ahl Al-Bayt who lived after Karbala you, will find that cooking food or Niyaz was part and parcel of their traditions.

When Ja'far At-Tayyar, alayhi as-salam, passed away Asma the daughter of 'Omais was devastated. Fatimat uz-Zahra', alayhi as-salam, was of those who cooked food in honour of the martyrdom of Ja'far At-Tayyar, alayhi as-salam. Therefore, she set the precedent for us being an infallible that this is the way in which you honour those who have passed away.

Be generous, cook food, help the household, let other members of the community come and eat from this food. For this food has Barakah in being related to the Prophetic household, peace be upon them. And likewise we find with Imam Zayn Al-'Abidin, alayhi as-salam, after Karabala, he would be of those who would cook food in honour of the ladies of the Prophetic household, and in honour of the martyrs of the tenth of Muharram.

Therefore, from the time of the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him and his family, and even after Karbala, cooking food, cooking Niyaz, was part of the traditions of the Holy Household. Continue with your traditions and continue to honor the Holy Household with this wonderful act. Wa as-salamu alaykum, wa rahmatu Allah.