What is the ruling of the Shari'ah regarding people gathering seven days after a person's death, and then again forty days after his death?

Question:
The question is also raised by every Muslim. He says: Shaykh Salih, I would like to ask about the ruling of the Shari'ah regarding what is called the seven days and the forty days after a person's death. People gather at the deceased's home after seven days have passed, including imams and memorizers of the Noble Qur'an, and others. They recite for the deceased, as it is said, and the deceased's family provides food, so everyone who comes that night eats. They do the same thing forty days after his death. Is this part of the religion, Honorable Shaykh? Or is it an intrusion that can be considered a bid'ah (religious innovation)? And if it is a bid'ah, what is the way to uproot its roots, especially since it has become entrenched in the minds of the common people, to the point that it is as if it is part of the religion?

Answer:
These matters are bid'ah (religious innovations). , in his saying , and in the narration: "Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with our command, it is rejected." His saying (peace and blessings be upon him) , "Every misguidance is in the Fire." So there is no gathering after death, neither after seven days nor after forty days. This is all from the newly invented innovations. Only those who are greedy for food do this, those who love eating the food that is served to them at these gatherings. So they gather for their bellies. If they were gathering for the sake of acting upon the Sunnah or for the benefit of the deceased, they would not do these actions, because there is no evidence for these actions in the Book or in the Sunnah. And they involve burdens, costs, and shackles. Reciting the Qur'an, if it is for a fee, does not reach the deceased, by the consensus of the scholars, because the reciter only recited for the sake of the fee and for the sake of the food and eating that is served to him. What is prescribed (mashru') for the deceased is what came in the hadiths: making du'a' (supplication) for him, seeking forgiveness for him, giving charity on his behalf, and performing Hajj and 'Umrah on his behalf. All of these are beneficial if Allah accepts them, because evidence has come regarding them. As for these gatherings, these foods that are prepared, and these bad customs, they are all shackles and burdens. It is obligatory for the scholars to clarify this to the people so that they may be on clear understanding of the matter.