Question Summary:
How to benefit the deceased?

Question Detail:

As salamu alaikum,

Answer :

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuhu.

We are sad to note the death of your father.

إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون (البقرة/١٥٦)

Translation: “Indeed to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return” (Al-Baqarah/156)

May Allah have mercy on your father and grant him Jannah, may Allah grant you Sabr. Aameen.

You can be of great benefit and joy for your father, if you become Allah conscious and pious and make dua for him. See the following Hadith:

عن أبي هريرة، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: " إذا مات الإنسان انقطع عنه عمله إلا من ثلاثة:

 إلا من صدقة جارية، أو علم ينتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو له (صحيح مسلم)

Translation: ‏ Nabi (ﷺ) said:  "When a believer passes away, his deeds come to an end, except for three things:

(1) Sadaqah Jaariyah (continuous charity)

(2) Knowledge through which people continue to benefit

(3) A pious child who supplicates for him” (Saheeh Muslim/4223)

You may also follow the prescription mentioned in the following Hadith:

عن أبي أُسَيدِ مالكِ بنِ ربيعة السَّاعدىِّ، قال: بينا نحنُ عندَ رسولِ الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- إذ جاءهُ رجل مِن بني سَلِمةَ، فقال: يا رسولَ الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم -، هل بقي مِن بِرِّ أبوَىَّ شيٌ أبَرُهما به بعدَ موتهما؟ قال: "نعم، الصلاةُ عليهما، والاستغفارُ لهما، وإنفاذُ عهدِهِما من بعدِهِمَا، وصِلَةُ الرحِمِ التي لا توصَلُ إلا بهما، وإكرامُ صَدِيقِهما (سنن ابي داود)

Translation: Abu Usayd Malik ibn Rabi'ah as-Sa'idi narrates, while we were with the Prophet (ﷺ) a man of Banu Salmah came to Prophet (ﷺ)  and asked; is there any kindness left that I can do to my parents after their death? He replied: Yes, you can:

(1) make dua for them

(2) ask forgiveness on their behalf

(3) carry out their undertakings (promises etc.) after their death

(4) join ties of relationship which are dependent on them

(5) and honour their friends. (Abu Dawood/5099)

If possible, also give Sadaqa and make intention of conveying the reward (Isale-Sawaab) to your father. See the following Hadith:

أَنَّ سَعْدَ بْنَ عُبَادَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ تُوُفِّيَتْ أُمُّهُ وَهُوَ غَائِبٌ عَنْهَا، فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أُمِّي تُوُفِّيَتْ وَأَنَا غَائِبٌ عَنْهَا، أَيَنْفَعُهَا شَيْءٌ إِنْ تَصَدَّقْتُ بِهِ عَنْهَا؟ قَالَ: «نَعَمْ»، قَالَ: فَإِنِّي أُشْهِدُكَ أَنَّ حَائِطِيَ المِخْرَافَ صَدَقَةٌ عَلَيْهَا (صحيح البخاري)

Translation: The mother of Sa`d bin 'Ubada died in his absence. He said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! My mother died in my absence; will it be of any benefit for her if I give Sadaqa on her behalf?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Yes," Sa`d said, "I make you a witness that I gave my garden called Al Makhraf in charity on her behalf. (Saheeh Al-Bukhari/Kitaabul-Wasayaa)

The Sadaqa may be anything according to your financial capacity. That includes giving a beggar some food or money.

And Allah Ta ‘āla Knows Best

Bayazeed

Student – Darul Iftaa

UK

Checked and approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

13-12-1440 | 14-08-2019