❖ Introduction
In the Islamic tradition, the concept of continuous reward (thawāb jāriyah) is well-established. Certain righteous deeds continue to benefit a person even after death. This article, compiled from authentic Hadiths, outlines such deeds that can bring ongoing rewards to the deceased, bringing comfort to their souls and elevation in the Hereafter.◈ What Accompanies the Deceased
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:"Three things follow the deceased: his family, his wealth, and his deeds. Two return and one remains. His family and wealth return, but his deeds remain with him."
— [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 7424]
✔ This Hadith emphasizes that only one’s deeds truly accompany them into the grave — a lasting asset in the Hereafter.
◈ Three Everlasting Sources of Reward
The Prophet ﷺ stated:"When a person dies, all his deeds come to an end except for three:
① Ongoing charity (ṣadaqah jāriyah),
② Beneficial knowledge,
③ A righteous child who prays for him."
— [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 4223]
◈ Actions of Righteous Children
The Prophet ﷺ guided that children can benefit their deceased parents by:✔ Praying and seeking forgiveness for them
✔ Fulfilling their promises and pledges
✔ Honoring their friends
✔ Maintaining family ties due to their parents
— [Sunan Ibn Mājah 3664]
Additionally, the Prophet ﷺ said:
"A person’s rank in Paradise may be elevated, and he will ask: 'How did I attain this?' It will be said: 'Through your child’s supplication and seeking forgiveness for you.'"
— [Sunan Ibn Mājah 3660]
◈ Acts of Charity on Behalf of the Deceased
Numerous Hadiths affirm that performing charity on behalf of a deceased person brings them reward:✿ Best Charity: Water Provision
Saʿd ibn ʿUbādah (رضي الله عنه) asked the Prophet ﷺ about giving charity for his deceased mother. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Yes, and the best form of charity is providing water."
— [Sunan al-Nasā’ī 3694]
✿ General Charity with Good Intentions
A man told the Prophet ﷺ that his mother passed suddenly and would likely have given charity if she could. The Prophet ﷺ affirmed:
"Yes, you may give charity on her behalf."
— [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1388]
✿ Donating Property
Another Companion donated a date orchard in his mother’s name and was assured it would benefit her.
— [Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī 669]
◈ Making Up Missed Duties for the Deceased
Ritual acts like Hajj, fasting, and vows can be fulfilled by the heirs if the deceased left them unperformed:✔ Hajj on behalf of a parent
— [al-Nasā’ī 2635]
✔ Fasting missed by the deceased
— [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1952]
✔ Fulfilling vows made by the deceased
— [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2761]
✦ A vow (nadhar) that entails obedience to Allah should be fulfilled, while vows of disobedience must not be honored.
◈ The Merits of Guarding the Frontier (
The Prophet ﷺ stated:"All deeds of the deceased cease except for the one who guards the Muslim frontiers — his deeds continue to grow until the Day of Judgment, and he is protected from the punishment of the grave."
— [Abū Dāwūd 2500]
◈ The Power of Sincere Supplication
✿ General Duʿāʾ for the Deceased:Allah ﷻ praises those believers who say:
﴿رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا﴾
“Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who preceded us in faith…”
— [Sūrat al-Ḥashr 59:10]
✿ During Janāzah (Funeral) Prayer
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"When you pray over the deceased, then be sincere in supplication for him."
— [Abū Dāwūd 3199]
✿ His Own Supplication for the Dead
He ﷺ would pray:
"O Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him, pardon him, grant him rest and honor, make his grave spacious, wash him with water, snow, and ice…"
— [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2232]
⭑ ʿAwf ibn Mālik (رضي الله عنه) said, “I wished I were that deceased, just due to the Prophet’s beautiful supplication.”
◈ Intercession by a Group of Believers
The Prophet ﷺ said:"No Muslim dies and a group of one hundred Muslims pray over him and intercede for him, except their intercession is accepted."
— [Sunan al-Nasā’ī 1993]
◈ Prayer After Burial
After burying the dead, the Prophet ﷺ would say:"Seek forgiveness for your brother and pray that he remains firm, for he is now being questioned."
— [Abū Dāwūd 3221]
◈ Praising the Deceased
If righteous believers praise a deceased person, it becomes a means of forgiveness:"Whenever people praise a deceased person, Allah says: 'I have accepted their testimony and forgiven that which they do not know.'"
— [Silsilah al-Aḥādīth al-Ṣaḥīḥah 517]
The Prophet ﷺ affirmed that believers are Allah’s witnesses on earth.
— [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2642]
◈ Spreading Beneficial Knowledge and Good Deeds
Whoever establishes a righteous practice, they earn the reward of it and of all who follow it — without reducing others’ reward."Whoever introduces a good practice… will have its reward and the reward of those who follow it…"
— [Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī 2675]
◈ Planting for the Benefit of Creation
The Prophet ﷺ said:"When a Muslim plants a tree or sows a field, and humans, birds, or animals eat from it, it is counted as charity for him."
— [Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī 1382]
❖ Conclusion
There are many opportunities to continue benefiting our deceased loved ones through duʿāʾ, charity, fulfilling their religious obligations, and spreading beneficial knowledge. The key condition is sincerity and conformity to the Sunnah.May Allah ﷻ make us among those who benefit others even after death, and grant our deceased loved ones His mercy and forgiveness. Āmīn.
