What is the ruling on eating at mourning gatherings, and on neighbors helping the family of the deceased by providing them with food for a whole week, and what is the ruling on ختم القرآن (reciting the entire Qur'an) at a mourning gathering as a charity for the deceased?

The gathering of people and the preparation of feasts upon a death is an innovation (bid'ah) and a form of forbidden wailing (niyaha), based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not from it, it is rejected," and based on the saying of Jarir ibn Abdullah al-Bajali (may Allah be pleased with him): "We used to consider gathering at the house of the deceased's family and preparing food as a form of wailing."

As for neighbors or relatives preparing food for the family of the deceased, it is a Sunnah, as long as it is not within the context of gathering and celebration. The period of offering condolences should not exceed three days, except for someone who was absent. Recitation (of Qur'an) at a mourning gathering is not permissible. However, there is no harm in reciting Qur'an for the deceased and dedicating its reward to him, away from gatherings or hiring a reciter. Similarly, charity on his behalf is permissible.