Adab al-Mufrad

Benefits and Issues:
➊ This hadith shows that if a person wishes to make a bequest (wasiyyah) regarding any good deed, he should write down the bequest and keep it with him, because death can come to a person at any time.

➋ It is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari and other sources that she passed away suddenly; in some narrations, it is stated that if she had gotten the chance, she would have given charity. From this, it is understood that before passing away, a person should certainly give some wealth in charity (sadaqah) in the path of Allah. It is permissible to bequeath up to one third (1/3) of one’s wealth; the rest is the right of the heirs. By giving charity, a person’s sins are erased, and due to the erasure of sins, the worn-out soul is refreshed.

➌ It is permissible to give charity and perform acts of goodness on behalf of the deceased, and for this, intention alone is sufficient—that its reward be granted by Allah Ta’ala to such-and-such person. The customary method of conveying reward (isal-e-thawab) is questionable. The principle in this regard is that after death, the chain of a person’s deeds is cut off, except for those things which are proven by Shari’ah texts to be permissible to do on behalf of the deceased. Charity (sadaqah) is one of these. To analogize Qur’an recitation and other rituals to these is absolutely impermissible.

The permissible forms are as follows:
• Parents share in every good deed of their children, and for this, even intention is not required, because children are the earning of the parents.
• Children may supplicate (make du‘a) for their parents, give charity and perform acts of goodness on their behalf, perform Hajj for them—this is permissible. Another person may also do these acts on behalf of the deceased. If a child passes away, the parents may give charity and perform acts of goodness on his or her behalf.
• If someone has obligatory fasts (nazr) pending, his close relative should fast on his behalf.
• Financial debts can and should be paid.

As for prayer (salah), it cannot be performed on behalf of another. Similarly, Qur’an recitation, reciting istighfar in the house after death, and other innovations (bid‘ah) have no connection with Islam.

➍ From this, it is also understood that determining the reward of any act is solely the prerogative of Allah Ta’ala and His Messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. The noble Companions radi Allahu anhum adhered to this methodology, that before doing any act, they would seek guidance from the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Just as this Companion, upon having a desire in his heart, did not act upon it, but considered it necessary to ask the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam about it. In other words, even the Companions radi Allahu anhum did not have the authority to determine the reward or sin of any act.

➎ Giving charity on behalf of parents after their death is an act of kindness (ihsan) towards them. One should also show kindness to parents during their lifetime. Some people continue to cause pain to their parents during their lives, and only after their death do they feel the urge to show kindness to them.

➏ Before performing any act with the intention of goodness, it is necessary to ascertain whether this act is considered good in the view of Shari’ah.

➐ If parents or any Muslim fall short in performing a good deed and depart from this world, one should have a good opinion (husn al-zann) regarding them—that for some reason they were unable to perform it, otherwise their intention was good.