Preparing food on the eve of the Mi`raj Night and the night of Al-Qadr and sending it to the Imam to supplicate to Allah on it

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Q 6: Is it permissible to prepare food and meat during Laylat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Decree) and the Night of Mi`raj (Ascension to Heaven) to be sent to the Masjid (mosque) so that the Imam could make Du`a' (supplication) upon it hoping that the reward may reach the dead as is the custom?

A: It is not permissible to specify a certain event such as Laylat-ul-Qadr and the Night of Mi`raj for preparing the food to be sent to the Masjid so that the Imam could make Du`a' upon it hoping that the reward may reach the dead. This is an act of Bid`ah (innovation in religion) that should be abandoned. Muslims should not specify a certain occasion or time to offer a sacrifice except in `Eid-ul-Adha (the Festival of the Sacrifice) and Hady (sacrificial animal offered by pilgrims). The best for Muslims is to follow the guidance of the Prophet (peace be upon him).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!