_Imaam Ibn Qudaamah Al-Maqdisi -rahimahullaah-_
Said:
*Serving food to relatives.*
Know verily that, serving food to fellow Muslims is highly recommended and beloved.
In this regard, it is reported from Ali radiyallaahu anhu who said:
*” لأن أجمع إخواني على صاع من الطعام أحب إلي من أعتق رقبة”*
Meaning:
“For me to gather relatives in order to eat food together, is beloved to me than setting a slave free”.
And it is also reported that the pious predecessors also follows in the same steps whereby they will prepare different kinds of foods and invite their relatives for it.
However, one should only serve what he had of food and one should not overburden himself on what one is not capable of doing.
Moreover, one should not give out the whole food. Rather, one should reserve some of the food for the families.
As for the visitor, if he is asked to make a choice between two kinds of food, he should go for the less expensive one in order to make things easy for the host. Unless if the host will be glad and happy when his visitor opt for the expensive one.
*4th Dhul-Hijjah, 1437.*
*6th September, 2016.*
Allaahu A’alam! Baarakallaahu feekum!
📨@IslamNode📤