The ruling on holding Parties

Question :

Some of the people have parties and slaughter animals when some of their relatives die. The expense of these parties is spent from the wealth of the deceased. What is the ruling on this? If the deceased wills that a party like these parties be held after his death, does the Islamic law obligate the heirs to carry out this will?

Answer:

Leaving a bequest to hold parties after one's death is an innovation and from the practices of the pre-Islamic days of ignorance. Likewise, the family of the deceased holding these mentioned parties is an evil, even if it is not requested in a will. This is not permissible due to what is confirmed from Jarir bin 'Abdullah Al-Bajali that he said: "We used to consider gathering at the house of the deceased's family and (them) preparing food after the burial a part of wailing." Imam Ahmad recorded this narration with a good chain of narration. It is also not allowed because it is opposed to what Allâh legislated of giving assistance to the deceased's family by preparing food for them, as they are preoccupied with the calamity. This is based on what is confirmed from the Prophet when the news reached him of Ja'far bin Abu Talib's martyrdom in the battle of Mu'tah that he said to his family:
"Prepare some food for the family of Ja'far, for verily there has come to them that which will preoccupy them."

Source:
Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 3 Pages 122-123