Question
My father died, may Allah have mercy on him, and I want to give ongoing charity on his behalf, such as building a mosque or printing a beneficial book. A shaykh told us this would not benefit him since it is not from his own wealth. Is this correct? And what is the best way to benefit my father?
Bottom Line
Yes, giving charity on behalf of the deceased benefits them, even if it comes from someone else’s wealth.
Quick Answer
Du‘a, seeking forgiveness, giving charity, and performing Hajj on behalf of the deceased all benefit them. The best way to help your father is to make sincere du‘a for him, but giving sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity) on his behalf will also reach him.
Key Points
- Scholars agree that du‘a, forgiveness, sadaqah, and Hajj benefit the deceased.
- Charity can be given on behalf of the deceased, based on an authentic hadith.
- Sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity) includes building mosques, wells, schools, or printing beneficial books.
- The best ongoing deed is du‘a from a righteous child, as emphasized in hadith.
- Acts involving donor reward confusion (like disputed views on reading Qur’an for the dead) vary by madhhab, but du‘a and charity are agreed upon.
Detailed Answer
Islam affirms that certain good deeds benefit the deceased after death. Allah says:
“And those who came after them say: ‘Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in faith.’” (Qur’an 59:10)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“When you offer the funeral prayer for the deceased, then make du‘a sincerely for him.” (Muslim 962)
Charity on behalf of the deceased is established in authentic reports. A man asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about his mother, who died suddenly, and whether charity on her behalf would benefit her. He replied: “Yes.” (al-Bukhari 1388; Muslim 1004)
Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubadah also gave a garden in charity on behalf of his deceased mother, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) approved. (al-Bukhari 2756)
Hajj may also be done on behalf of the deceased, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) likened it to paying off a debt owed to Allah. (al-Bukhari 6699; Muslim 1148)
Therefore, the claim that nothing benefits the dead except what they gave from their own wealth is incorrect.
What That Means for You
The best way to benefit your father is to make abundant du‘a for him. In addition, you may give charity on his behalf, such as:
| Type | Examples of Sadaqah Jariyah |
|---|---|
| Worship & Knowledge | Building or supporting a mosque, printing and distributing Qur’ans, printing beneficial Islamic books, funding students of knowledge, or sponsoring Qur’an memorization |
| Community Welfare | Digging a well or providing clean water, supporting hospitals and clinics, helping orphanages and shelters create facilities for travelers or the poor (housing, food, services) |
| Long-term Ongoing Benefit | Planting trees that provide shade, fruit, or shelter, providing a sustainable iftar program each Ramadan, establishing a waqf (endowment), and funding projects that bring recurring benefit |
All of these count as sadaqah jariyah, and the reward will reach him, by Allah’s mercy, to name a few.
And Allah knows best
References
Primary Sources:
- Qur’an 59:10; Qur’an 17:24
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1388, 2756, 6699
- Sahih Muslim 1004, 1148, 962
Secondary Sources:
- Al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim (commentary on hadith of charity for the deceased)
- Ibn Qudamah, al-Mughni (on sadaqah jariyah and Hajj for the deceased)
- Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (7/72) – consensus on charity benefiting the dead
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