Niaz of Muharram

Question

Assalam-o-alaikum
I have read somewhere that the 'niaz' on 10th muharram in which people distribute food like rice or sweets on 10th muharram, is a biddat, forbidden in islam. The same holds true in case of the thursday 'niaz'. please correct me if am wrong.
My question is that some of our neighbours distribute 'niaz' on such occassions and also send it to us. Is it allowed to eat such food.?

Answer

wa alaikumussalam

Niaz means a type of Ibadat and it may be done for two reasons:

• either assuming it as a sunnah, n it needs proof  at least from the Sahaba age by the Sahaba.
• or only for Eesal e Sawab, n it should not be conditional to any specific time, quantity or ways                                                                                                             both reasons r not valid here since its neither a sunnah nor absolute from time and way adopted therefore not allowed n should be considered as a bidat.Similarly its not allowed to accept it from neighborhood. if somebody accepts it due to negligence or any other reason its better to freeze it n send it to any poor person later.