Benefit of Charity for the Deceased: Islamic Ruling on Conveying Reward and Reduction of Punishment
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil – Matters of Funerals, Volume 1, Page 263
If someone passes away — whether a family member or a relative — is there any action that can be done to convey reward to the deceased or reduce their punishment? What can a person do so that if the deceased is undergoing punishment, it may be lessened, and if they are not being punished, Allah may elevate their ranks?
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
There is a clear narration in this regard from Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, in which:
Ḥaḍrat Saʿd رضي الله عنه asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
“If I give charity on behalf of my mother (who has passed away), will she benefit from it?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“Yes.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Waṣāyā, Bāb Idhā Qāla: Arḍī aw Bustānī Ṣadaqah Lillāh ʿan Ummī)
❀ If a living person gives charity on behalf of a deceased, the benefit certainly reaches the deceased.
❀ Good deeds such as ṣadaqah (charity) performed by the living can convey reward to the deceased.
❀ This can result in:
✔ Performing righteous deeds such as charity on behalf of a deceased individual is beneficial, and its reward reaches them.
✔ Such acts are Sharʿīly proven and can be a source of mercy, reward, and even reduction in torment for the deceased.
هٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
This is what I understand, and Allah knows best what is correct.
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil – Matters of Funerals, Volume 1, Page 263❖ Question:
If someone passes away — whether a family member or a relative — is there any action that can be done to convey reward to the deceased or reduce their punishment? What can a person do so that if the deceased is undergoing punishment, it may be lessened, and if they are not being punished, Allah may elevate their ranks?
❖ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
There is a clear narration in this regard from Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, in which:
Ḥaḍrat Saʿd رضي الله عنه asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
“If I give charity on behalf of my mother (who has passed away), will she benefit from it?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“Yes.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Waṣāyā, Bāb Idhā Qāla: Arḍī aw Bustānī Ṣadaqah Lillāh ʿan Ummī)✿ What This Narration Proves:
❀ If a living person gives charity on behalf of a deceased, the benefit certainly reaches the deceased.
❀ Good deeds such as ṣadaqah (charity) performed by the living can convey reward to the deceased.
❀ This can result in:
- Reduction of punishment if the deceased is being punished.
- Elevation of ranks if the deceased is not being punished.
Conclusion:
✔ Performing righteous deeds such as charity on behalf of a deceased individual is beneficial, and its reward reaches them.
✔ Such acts are Sharʿīly proven and can be a source of mercy, reward, and even reduction in torment for the deceased.
هٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
This is what I understand, and Allah knows best what is correct.
