Thursday, May 6, 2010

Deeds Which Benefit The Dead

Revised on November 16, 2011

Deeds Which Benefit The Dead

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد


1) Prayers of a righteous son/daughter, beneficial knowledge, recurring charity:

عن عبد الله بن أبي قتادة عن أبيه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "خير ما يخلف الرجل من بعده ثلاث ولد صالح يدعو له وصدقة تجري يبلغه أجرها وعلم يعمل به من بعده" رواه ابن ماجة, وابن حبان

Narrated Abdullaah bin Abi Qataadah on his father's authority: Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “The best of what a man leaves behind (after his death) are three things: A pious son who invokes blessings upon him; a sadaqah (charity), which continues (even after his death) and its reward benefits him; and the knowledge that is acted upon after him.” [Sunan Ibn Maajah and Ibn Hibbaan, and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh Ibn Majah (199)]


عن أبي هريرة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "إن مما يلحق المؤمن من عمله وحسناته بعد موته علما علمه ونشره وولدا صالحا تركه ومصحفا ورثه أو مسجدا بناه أو بيتا لابن السبيل بناه أو نهرا أجراه أو صدقة أخرجها من ماله في صحته وحياته يلحقه من بعد موته"   رواه ابن ماجة

Narrated Abu Hurairah: Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Verily, the good deeds and virtues (the reward of which) reaches a believer even after his death are: the knowledge that he acquires and then disseminated it, the righteous son whom he left (behind after his death), a copy of the scripture (Qur`an) that he has left as a legacy, or a mosque he built, or a building (hotel) that he constructed for the way-farers, or a canal he excavated (to flow), or a sadaqah that he gives out of his wealth during his good health and during his life-time. The (reward of) these virtues would reach him (and benefit him) even after his death." [Sunan Ibn Majah, and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh Ibn Majah (200)]


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"   رواه مسلم

Narrated Abu Hurairah: Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "When a man dies, his acts come to an end, except for three, recurring charity, or knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a pious son, who prays for him (for the deceased)." [Saheeh Muslim (3092)]


2) Charity on behalf of the deceased:

عن أبي هريرة أن رجلا سأل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال إن أبي مات وترك مالا ولم يوص فهل يكفر عنه أن تصدقت عنه قال "نعم" رواه مسلم وابن ماجة

Narrated Abu Hurairah: A person said to Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم: “My father died and left behind property without making any will regarding it. Would he be relieved of the burden of his sins if I give Sadaqah on his behalf?” He (the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "Yes." [Saheeh Muslim (3089) and Sunan Ibn Maajah (2708)]


عن عائشة أن رجلا أتى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال يا رسول الله إن أمي افتلتت نفسها وأظنها لو تكلمت تصدقت أفلها أجر إن تصدقت عنها قال "نعم"   رواه البخاري ومسلم

Narrated 'Aishah: A man said to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, "My mother died suddenly, and I think that if she could speak, she would have given in charity. May I give in charity on her behalf?" He said, "Yes! Give in charity on her behalf." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1388, 2760) and Saheeh Muslim (1678, 3090)]


عن سعد بن عبادة قال قلت يا رسول الله إن أمي ماتت أفأتصدق عنها قال "نعم" قلت فأي الصدقة أفضل قال "سقي الماء" رواه إمام أحمد والنسائى

Narrated Sa`d bin `Ubadah: I said to the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم, "My mother died, can I give charity on her behalf?" The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Yes." So I said, "Which charity is best." The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Providing water (to the thirsty and the way-farer)." [Musnad Imaam Ahmad and al-Nasa`i, and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan al-Nasa’i (3664, 3665, 3666)]


بن عباس أن سعد بن عبادة رضي الله عنه أخا بني ساعدة توفيت أمه وهو غائب عنها فأتى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال يا رسول الله إن أمي توفيت وأنا غائب عنها فهل ينفعها شيء إن تصدقت به عنها قال "نعم" قال فإني أشهدك أن حائطي المخراف صدقة عليها  رواه البخارى

Narrated Ibn Abbas: That the mother of Sa'd bin 'Ubada the brother of Bani Sa'ida died in Sa'd's absence, so he came to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saying, "O Allaah's Messenger! My mother died in my absence; will it benefit her if I give in charity on her behalf?" The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Yes." Sa'd said, "I take you as my witness that I give my garden Al-Makhraf in charity on her behalf." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2756, 2762)]


3) The reward of the righteous deeds of the son/daughter goes to the parents also even without any intention:

عن عائشة قالت قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "إن أطيب ما أكل الرجل من كسبه وإن ولده من كسبه"   رواه أبو داود وابن ماجة والنسائى

Narrated 'Aishah: Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "The best (food) a man eats is that (he eats) out of his earnings and his son is a part of his earnings." [Abu Dawood (3528), Ibn Maajah (1751) and al-Nasa’i (4461, 4463, 4464) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh]


4) Du'a of the Muslims is also beneficial to the dead and they are especially encouraged to supplicate for their forgiveness:

عن عائشة ان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يخرج إلى البقيع فيدعو لهم فسألته عن ذلك فقال "انى أمرت أن أدعو لهم"   رواه أحمد

Narrated 'Aishah: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to visit the Baqee' (graveyard) and used to supplicate for (its inmates). So I asked regarding that and he صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "I was commanded to supplicate for them." [Imam Ahmed, and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Ahkaam al-Janaaiz and he said: “it is as per the condition of al-Bukhaaree and Muslim”]


عن أبي هريرة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "ان الله عز وجل ليرفع الدرجة للعبد الصالح في الجنة فيقول يا رب أنى لي هذه فيقول باستغفار ولدك لك" رواه إمام أحمد وابن ماجة

Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Verily, Allaah raises the grades of His righteous slaves in Paradise." So, he asks Allaah, "How did I attain this (high position)?" Allaah says, "Because of the supplication of your child for your forgiveness." [Musnad Imaam Ahmad and Ibn Maajah (3660) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]


5) Praying for the dead in Salaatul-Janaazah:

عوف بن مالك الأشجعي: صلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على جنازة . فحفظت من دعائه وهو يقول "اللهم ! اغفر له وارحمه وعافه واعف عنه . وأكرم نزله . ووسع مدخله واغسله بالماء والثلج والبرد . ونقه من الخطايا كما نقيت الثوب الأبيض من الدنس . وأبدله دارا خيرا من داره . وأهلا خيرا من أهله وزوجا خيرا من زوجه . وأدخله الجنة وأعذه من عذاب القبر أو من عذاب النار" . قال : حتى تمنيت أن أكون أنا ذلك الميت . رواه مسلم

Narrated `Awf ibn Maalik رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said prayer on the dead body, and I remembered his prayer: 'O Allaah! Forgive him, have mercy on him, pardon him, heal him, be generous to him, cause his entrance to be wide and comfortable, wash him with the most pure and clean water, and purify him from sins as a white garment is washed clean of dirt. Give him in exchange a home better than his home (on earth) and a family better than his family, and a wife better than his wife, and protect him from the trial of the grave and the torture of Hell Fire'." `Awf ibn Maalik said: I earnestly desired that I were this dead body. [Saheeh Muslim (1606, 1607)]


6) Du`aa after the burial:

عن عثمان بن عفان، قال: كان النبي إذا فرغ من دفن الميت، وقف عليه، فقال: "استغفروا لأخيكم، وسلوا له بالتـثبيت، فإنه الآن يسأل." رواه ابو داود

Narrated `Uthmaan ibn `Affaan رضي الله عنه: Whenever the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم became free from burying the dead, he used to stay at it (i.e. his grave) and say: “Seek forgiveness for your brother, and beg steadfastness for him, for he will now be questioned.” [Sunan Abu Dawood (3221) and and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]


7) Du`aa upon visiting the graveyard:

 عن عائشة قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "فقال (جبريل) إن ربك يأمرك أن تأتي أهل البقيع فتستغفر لهم " . قالت : قلت : كيف أقول لهم ؟ يا رسول الله ! قال " قولي : السلام على أهل الديار من المؤمنين والمسلمين ويرحم الله المستقدمين منا والمستأخرين . وإنا ، إن شاء الله ، بكم للاحقون . [أسأل الله لنا ولكم العافية] "

Narrated `Aaishah رضي الله عنها: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “He (Gabriel) said: Your Lord has commanded you to go to the inhabitants of Baqi' (to those lying in the graves) and beg pardon for them.” I said: Messenger of Allaah, how should I pray for them (How should I beg forgiveness for them)? He said: “Say: Peace be upon the inhabitants of this abode (graveyard) from among the Believers and the Muslims, and Allaah have mercy on those who have gone ahead of us, and those who come later on, and we shall, God willing, join you. [I beg of Allaah, well-being, for us and for you.]” [Saheeh Muslim (1625), what is between the two brackets is from another Hadeeth of Saheeh Muslim]


8) Obligatory fast of Ramadhan which the deceased was unable to complete can be compensated if any heir fasts on his behalf:

عن عائشة رضي الله عنها أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال "من مات وعليه صيام صام عنه وليه"   رواه البخارى

Narrated 'Aishah: Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Whoever died and he ought to have fasted (the missed days of Ramadan) then his guardians must fast on his behalf." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1952) and Saheeh Muslim (1942)]


عن بن عباس رضي الله عنهما جاء رجل إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال : يا رسول الله ، إن أمي ماتت وعليها صوم شهر ، أفأقضيه عنها ؟ . قال : "نعم" ، قال : "فدين الله أحق أن يقضى" رواه البخاري

Narrated Ibn `Abbaas: A man came to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and said, “O Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم! My mother died and she ought to have fasted one month (for her missed Ramadan). Shall I fast on her behalf?” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم replied in the affirmative and said: “Allaah's debts have more right to be paid.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1953)]


9) Completing the vow of the deceased by the heir will benefit them:

عن بن عباس رضي الله عنهما أن سعد بن عبادة رضي الله عنه استفتى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال إن أمي ماتت وعليها نذر فقال "اقضه عنها"   رواه البخارى ومسلم

Narrated Ibn `Abbaas: Sa`d bin `Ubaadah consulted Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم saying, "My mother died and she had an unfulfilled vow." The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Fulfill it on her behalf." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2761, 6959)]


10) Settling the debts on behalf of the deceased:

عن سلمة بن الأكوع رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أتي بجنازة ليصلي عليها فقال "هل عليه من دين" قالوا لا فصلى عليه ثم أتي بجنازة أخرى فقال "هل عليه من دين" قالوا نعم قال "صلوا على صاحبكم" قال أبو قتادة علي دينه يا رسول الله فصلى عليه    رواه البخارى

Narrated Salamah bin Al Akwaa`: A dead person was brought to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم so that he might lead the funeral prayer for him. He asked, "Is he in debt?" When the people replied in the negative, he led the funeral prayer. Another dead person was brought and he asked, "Is he in debt?" They said, "Yes." He (refused to lead the prayer and) said, "Lead the prayer of your friend." Abu Qataadah said, "O Allaah's Apostle! I undertake to pay his debt." Allaah's Apostle then led his funeral prayer. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2295)]


11) Doing Hajj or 'Umrah on behalf of the dead:

عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما أن امرأة من جهينة جاءت إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقالت إن أمي نذرت أن تحج فلم تحج حتى ماتت أفأحج عنها قال "نعم حجي عنها أرأيت لو كان على أمك دين أكنت قاضيته اقضوا الله فالله أحق بالوفاء"   رواه البخارى

Narrated Ibn `Abbaas: A woman from the tribe of Juhaina came to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and said, "My mother had vowed to perform Hajj but she died before performing it. May I perform Hajj on my mother's behalf?" The Prophet replied, "Perform Hajj on her behalf. Had there been a debt on your mother, would you have paid it or not? So, pay Allaah's debt as He has more right to be paid." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1852)]


These are deeds which – by Allaah’s Will – will benefit the dead. Anything other than this, which has no evidence from the Qur’aan and the Sunnah, is nothing but Bid`ah. The most common bid`ah which the people do is to gather together to read the Qur’aan on behalf of the dead (Qur’aan khwani or Isaal-e-sawaab) which has no basis in Islaam. If the deceased did not benefit from the Qur’aan when he was alive, then it will not benefit him after his death.

The Qur’aan is for the living and not for the dead as Allaah تعالى says:
{“We have not instructed the (Prophet) in Poetry nor is it suitable for Him: this is no less than a Message and a Qur'an making things clear: That it may give admonition those who are alive and that the charge may be proved against those who reject (Truth).”} [Surah Yaseen (36): 69-70]

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