The ruling on slaughtering an animal. for the Deceased on the seventh day or fortieth day after his death

Question :

A Muslim died who had many children and they (the children) have a lot of wealth. Is it permissible for them to slaughter sheep for the deceased or have a baker knead some bread for him on the seventh or fortieth day after his death as a gift for him, which the Muslims gather to eat it?

Answer:

Giving charity on behalf of the deceased is legislated. Also, feeding the poor and needy, being generous to them, being charitable towards neighbors and honoring the Muslims are from the types of righteousness and goodness that the Islamic law encourages. However, sacrificing sheep or cows or camels or birds or anything similar to that for the deceased upon his death or on a specific day, like the seventh or fortieth day after his death, is an innovation. Likewise, kneading bread on a specific day, like the seventh or the fortieth or Thursday or Friday or its night, to give it in charity for the deceased at that specified time is from the innovations and novelties that did not exist in the time of our pious Salaf. Therefore, it is obligatory to abandon these innovations due to the statement of the Messenger of Allâh:
"Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not from it, then it is rejected."

And his statement:
"Beware of newly invented matters. For verily every newly invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is a misguidance."

Source:
The Permanent Committee
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 3 Pages 123-124