Muslim

Hadith Commentary:
From this hadith, it is understood that the reward of charity and alms given by the heirs reaches the deceased.
The Ahl al-Hadith are unanimous on this, but the Mu'tazilah have denied it.
In another narration, Sa'd (radi Allahu anhu) asked, "Which charity is best?" The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) replied, "Providing water to drink."
This has been narrated by Imam al-Nasa'i (rahimahullah).

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
This heading has two parts. The first is that charity and alms should be given on behalf of the deceased, because charity benefits the deceased. In another hadith, it is stated that when the son of Adam dies, all his deeds come to an end except for three deeds, the reward of which continues. One of these is ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah). (: Sahih Muslim, al-Wasiyyah, Hadith: 4223(1631))

(2)
In a narration of Sunan an-Nasa’i, it is reported that Sa’d (radi Allahu anhu) asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam): Which charity is best for my mother? He replied: “Providing water is the best charity.” (: Sunan an-Nasa’i, al-Wasaya, Hadith: 3694) The narrations clarify that Sa’d (radi Allahu anhu) endowed a well for his mother, which was named Bir Umm Sa’d.

Hadith Commentary:
By bringing this hadith in the chapter, Imam Bukhari has established that sudden death does not cause any harm to the believer.
Although the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sought refuge from it, because in such a case, there is no opportunity to make a will.
Ibn Abi Shaybah has narrated that sudden death is a relief for the believer and a severe punishment for the evildoer.
(Wahidi)

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
From this hadith, Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has established that sudden death is not harmful for the believer, because when the mention of this sudden death was made in the presence of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, he did not express any displeasure. However, in another hadith, he has described this sudden death as a form of punishment due to displeasure.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Al-Jana'iz, Hadith: 3310)
This is because, in such a situation, a person cannot make the necessary bequest, nor does he get the opportunity to repent.
In one hadith, it is mentioned that sudden death is a relief for the believer and a cause of regret for the evildoer, but this narration is extremely weak.
See:
(Al-Mawsu‘ah al-Hadithiyyah, Musnad Ahmad: 491/4) (2)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar rahimahullah has written, quoting Ibn Munayyir, that from this chapter heading and the presented hadith, Imam Bukhari rahimahullah’s objective appears to be that if someone dies suddenly, his children should make up for it through righteous deeds, but such righteous deeds from which the deceased can benefit and which can be performed on his behalf.
(Fath al-Bari: 323/3)
And Allah knows best.
(3)
In the mentioned hadith, the one whose mother’s passing is mentioned was Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubadah radi Allahu anhu.
His mother’s name was ‘Amrah.

Benefits and Issues:
➊ Just as a person continues to receive the reward of those deeds after death which he performed during his lifetime and whose good effects continue afterwards, in the same way, the reward of charity (sadaqah) and similar acts also reaches him when performed by his children on his behalf after his passing.

➋ For giving charity (sadaqah) on behalf of deceased parents, it is not a condition that they must have made a bequest (wasiyyah) for it.

➌ The gatherings that are organized nowadays in the name of conveying reward (isal-e-thawab) and the feasts that are held are merely customary practices. The correct method is to quietly provide appropriate assistance to someone deserving.

➍ Just as deputization (niyabah) is possible in the payment of debts and other financial rights during a person's lifetime, similarly, after death, if another person pays off the deceased's debt, then the deceased is absolved of responsibility.

This person was Sa'd bin Ubadah radi Allahu anhu. He himself and his respected mother were extremely strict. That pious and generous lady passed away suddenly in his absence. The details will come in the next hadith.

Takhrij:
«أخرجه البخاري، الوصايا، باب ما يستحب لمن توفي فجأة أن يتصدقوا عنه.....، حديث:2760، ومسلم، الزكاة، باب وصول ثواب الصدقة عن الميت إليه، حديث:1004.»©Explanation:
From this hadith, it is understood that the reward of charity (sadaqah) given on behalf of one's children reaches the parents, and it is also permissible to give charity without a bequest (wasiyyah).

Benefit:
This hadith proves that if children give charity on behalf of their parents, the reward reaches the parents. It should be noted that the reward reaching (the deceased) is one thing, and causing it to reach (intentionally) is another; for example, what is referred to as "Isal al-Thawab" (conveying reward), there is no evidence for this. It is unfortunate that some people have invented many non-Shari'ah-compliant methods of Isal al-Thawab, which have no connection to the Qur'an and Hadith.