Isal al-Thawab Without Fixing Days

Question

Upon a death, without fixing any days, people are gathered — among whom, along with the poor, there are also imams, owners of nisab and ulama — isal al-thawab (conveying reward to the deceased) is performed, and then food and the like is served. What is the ruling of the Shari‘a on this practice?

Answer

This food, apparently, becomes a payment for isal al-thawab, from which there is no reward; moreover, caution is needed with regard to food [given] for the sake of thawab.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.