The 10th of Muharram is coming soon. It is a day on which Allaah The Almighty saved His Prophet Moosa (Moses), may Allaah exalt his mention, from Pharaoh and his people, so the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered us to fast on this day. My question is about some activities that people do on this day, such as cooking beans, chick-peas, and eggs. What is the ruling on these things, and what is the background of this custom or “innovation?”

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 a Muslim does these things for the purpose of providing generously for his family and relatives, then there is no harm in it. There is a Hadeeth reported in this respect but scholars have differed about its authenticity and most of them classified it as Dha’eef (weak). The Hadeeth was narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullaah that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "Whoever provides for his dependants lavishly on ‘Aashooraa' (i.e.10th of Muharram) will remain in wide sustenance for the whole year.”

As for the scholars' opinions on the issue, the four schools of jurisprudence have agreed that it is recommended to provide generously for one's family on ‘Aashooraa’. As-Saawi, a Maaliki scholar, said, "It is recommended to lavishly provide for one's family and relatives on ‘Aashooraa’." Sulaymaan Al-Jamal said, "It is recommended to lavishly provide for one's children and relatives on that day as well as to give charity to the poor and needy people reasonably. If one does not have anything to provide, he has to improve his conduct and abstain from wrongdoing." Al-Buhooti, a Hanbali scholar, said, "A Muslim should lavishly provide for his children on this day." This was mentioned in Al-Mubdi‘. Ibn ‘Aabideen, a Hanafi scholar, said, "Indeed, the Hadeeth encouraging generous provision is authentic and Saheeh as stated by As-Suyooti in Ad-Durar.”

Therefore, there is no harm in doing the things you mentioned if they are done for the purpose of generous provision reported in the Hadeeth.

Allaah Knows best.