Charity on behalf of the deceased reaches them and benefits them, by the consensus of scholars, and the giver is rewarded too. The best charity for the deceased is giving water, then continuous charity (Sadaqah Jariyah) whose source remains and keeps benefiting people, such as a mosque, a school or a donated Quran, as Islamweb explains in Donating on Behalf of the Deceased Benefits Him. It can be small or large, given on any day, for one deceased person or several.
- Charity on behalf of the deceased reaches them, and scholars agree on this.
- The best charity for the deceased is giving water, such as digging a well.
- The reward of continuous charity lasts as long as people benefit from it.
- The giver is rewarded, and the reward reaches the deceased according to the giver’s intention.
- An heir may not give from the other heirs’ shares of the estate without their permission.
Does Charity Reach the Deceased?
Yes. ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that a man said his mother died and did not leave a will, and “I think if she were able to speak, she would have given charity.” The Prophet ﷺ said: “Yes, give charity on her behalf” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
The scholars “agreed in a consensus that the benefit of charity and supplication reach the dead,” and Ibn Al-Mubaarak said there is no difference of opinion about charity, as Islamweb notes in Giving charity for the dead.
What Is the Best Charity on Behalf of the Deceased?
Giving water. Sa’d ibn ‘Ubaadah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet ﷺ which charity is best, and he replied: “Providing drinking water” (narrated by Ahmad and others, graded Hassan by Al-Albaani). That is why digging a well is among the best charity for the deceased: the well remains, and its water serves people for years.
Next comes endowed charity whose benefit lasts. Examples Islamweb gives in Deeds that Benefit a Deceased Person after His Death:
- Building a mosque in the deceased’s name.
- Building schools and Quran memorization centers.
- Building hospitals.
- Supporting students or establishing an Islamic library.
- Building homes for the elderly.
- Planting trees.
Continuous and One-Time Charity for the Deceased
The Prophet ﷺ said: “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end, except for three: a continuous charity, knowledge by which people derive benefits, and a pious child who supplicates for him” (Muslim). Continuous charity is an endowment: its source is kept, and people benefit from it, so its reward continues.
One-time charity, such as buying food or a blanket for a family in need, is not continuous charity, but its reward still reaches the deceased, as Islamweb explains in its fatwa on continuous charity (Arabic). So do not hold back if a lasting project is beyond you: a small gift also benefits.
Is the Giver Rewarded Too?
Yes. The reward reaches the deceased, and the giver is rewarded as well. You may also share one act of charity among several deceased persons; the giver and the deceased may both receive the reward in full, as Islamweb explains in Dedicating the reward of a good deed to several persons.
Should I Give from the Deceased’s Wealth or My Own?
You may give from your own money, or from your own share of the estate. The other heirs’ shares belong to them, so you may not give from them without their permission, as stated in Islamweb’s fatwa on charity for the deceased (Arabic).
Is Charity for the Deceased Better on Friday?
Charity for the deceased may be given on any day. Many scholars hold that good deeds on Friday and its night carry greater hope of reward, and Ibn Al-Qayyim mentioned that charity on Friday has a special merit. This applies to charity in general, not specifically to charity for the deceased, as Islamweb explains in its fatwa on charity for the deceased on Friday (Arabic).
How to Give on Behalf of a Loved One through Qatar Charity
Qatar Charity carries out continuous charity projects, such as digging wells and building mosques, and also receives general donations. Choose a project on the Thawab page and dedicate its reward to someone you love, or give through the general donation page.
Charity for the Deceased: Key Rulings
Does charity on behalf of the deceased reach them?
Yes. It reaches them and benefits them by the consensus of scholars, based on the hadith of ‘Aa’ishah in Al-Bukhari and Muslim: “Yes, give charity on her behalf.”
What is the best charity for the deceased?
Providing water, such as digging a well, then continuous charity such as building a mosque or a school.
Is giving food or money for the deceased continuous charity?
No, because nothing of it remains, but it is still charity whose reward reaches the deceased.
Can one charity be given on behalf of several deceased persons?
Yes. The reward can be shared among them according to the giver’s intention.
Can I give charity from the deceased’s estate?
Only from your own share. Do not give from the other heirs’ shares without their permission.
Give your loved one a reward that does not end: give on their behalf through Qatar Charity
