Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 162

Charity on behalf of the Deceased and Praying for him

باب الصدقة عن الميت والدعاء له

Death ends a person's own striving, but it does not have to end the good that flows to them. This chapter gathers the hope that sadaqah, charity given on behalf of the deceased, and heartfelt du'a still reach them and benefit them after they are gone.

The central idea is beautifully practical. A grieving child can still serve a parent, and a life well lived can keep giving long after burial. Watch how the two hadith move from a specific act of charity for a mother to a wider principle: certain deeds keep their reward running even when the book of a person's own actions has closed.

Hadith 948

'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:

وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها أن رجلاً قال للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ إن أمي افتلتت نفسها وأراها لو تكلمت، تصدقت، فهل لها أجر إن تصدقت عنها‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏نعم‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏

A man said to the Prophet (ﷺ): "My mother has died suddenly. I think that if she were able to talk (alive) she would have given in Sadaqah (charity). So, if I give Sadaqah now on her behalf, will she get the reward?" The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Yes (she will be rewarded for that)." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

A man asked whether charity given on behalf of his mother who had died suddenly would benefit her, and the Prophet answered yes, so good deeds done for the deceased still reach them.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 948 In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 55

Hadith 949

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ “إذا مات الأنسان انقطع عمله إلا من ثلاث‏:‏ صدقة جارية، أو علم ينتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو له‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When a man dies, his deeds come to an end, except for three: A continuous charity, knowledge by which people derive benefit, pious son who prays for him." [Muslim].

In plain words

When a person dies their own deeds stop, except three that keep bringing them reward: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge they left, and a righteous child who prays for them.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 949 In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 56