What is the ruling on accepting the invitation of the deceased's family to eat food on the first, second, and third days of mourning, and what is the ruling on the deceased's family preparing food as a charity for the deceased and for the end of the mourning period?

Preparing food by the family of the deceased for those who come to them is reprehensible. It adds to their affliction and resembles the practices of the pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyyah), unless the visitor comes from a distant place and is in need of food. The Sunnah, however, is for neighbors to prepare food for the family of the deceased, to help and alleviate their burden. Some scholars have considered these gatherings as an innovation (bid'ah) and an reprehensible act. The minimum level of prohibition for it is for a person not to attend these meals or consume them.