I live with my elder brother who has a woman that he is not legally married to. Can I eat from the food she prepares? And if woman dies in the house of a man who did not marry her legally but they have children for themselves what is the Islamic point of view.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

If that woman prepares the food from the money that your brother gives her for their relationship, then the money is unlawful because it is the earning of a prostitute. Raafi‘ ibn Khadeej, may Allaah be Pleased with him, was reported to have heard the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, saying, “The worst earning is the earning of a prostitute, the dog’s price and the earning of a cupper.” [Muslim] Consequently, it is impermissible for you to eat from that food which comes from unlawful source.

However, the fact that she prepares the food does not make the food unlawful, if it is bought with lawful money that your brother has given her or that she acquired by lawful means. Anyway, it is preferable that you do not eat their food to be on the safe side, and because this may deter them (from committing sin).

Your brother and that woman should be advised by explaining to them that Islam forbids having such a relationship. Please refer to Fatwa 84976.

With regard to the children, they are traced back to the woman, not to your brother, because they are born out of Zina (fornication or adultery), and thus your brother has no relation with them. They may inherit their mother, and their mother may inherit them. For more benefit, refer to Fataawa 89082 and 84303.

Allaah Knows best.