Giving Sadaqah on Behalf of the Deceased: What the Hadith Says
Can we still do something for a parent or loved one who has passed away? Many of us ask this after a loss. The authentic hadith gives a clear answer: yes, giving sadaqah on behalf of the deceased reaches them. Here are the hadiths, what they tell us, and simple ways to give in their name.
At a glance
- Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 1388; also Sahih al-Bukhari 2756 and Sahih Muslim 1630
- Narrated by: ‘Aishah, Ibn ‘Abbas and Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with them)
- Grade: Sahih (al-Bukhari and Muslim)
- Topic: Charity given on behalf of someone who has died
- Practise it: Give sadaqah in the name of a parent or loved one who has passed away
The hadith
أَنَّ رَجُلاً، قَالَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِنَّ أُمِّي افْتُلِتَتْ نَفْسُهَا، وَأَظُنُّهَا لَوْ تَكَلَّمَتْ تَصَدَّقَتْ، فَهَلْ لَهَا أَجْرٌ إِنْ تَصَدَّقْتُ عَنْهَا قَالَ ” نَعَمْ ”
A man said to the Prophet ﷺ: “My mother died suddenly, and I think that if she had been able to speak, she would have given charity. Will she get the reward if I give charity on her behalf?” He said: “Yes.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 1388 · Narrated by ‘Aishah · Translation adapted from Sunnah.com
His mother had died before she could give what she wanted to give. The Prophet ﷺ did not hesitate: the reward of charity given for her reaches her.
Sa’d gave his garden for his mother
Sa’d ibn ‘Ubadah (may Allah be pleased with him) was away when his mother died. When he came back, he asked the same question, and then acted on the answer straight away:
أَنَّ سَعْدَ بْنَ عُبَادَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ تُوُفِّيَتْ أُمُّهُ وَهْوَ غَائِبٌ عَنْهَا، فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أُمِّي تُوُفِّيَتْ وَأَنَا غَائِبٌ عَنْهَا، أَيَنْفَعُهَا شَىْءٌ إِنْ تَصَدَّقْتُ بِهِ عَنْهَا قَالَ ” نَعَمْ ”. قَالَ فَإِنِّي أُشْهِدُكَ أَنَّ حَائِطِي الْمِخْرَافَ صَدَقَةٌ عَلَيْهَا
Sa’d ibn ‘Ubadah’s mother died while he was away. He said: “Messenger of Allah, my mother died while I was away. Will it benefit her if I give something in charity on her behalf?” He said: “Yes.” Sa’d said: “Then I make you my witness that my garden, al-Mikhraf, is charity on her behalf.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 2756 · Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas · Translation adapted from Sunnah.com
A garden keeps producing fruit year after year, so Sa’d’s gift was also a lasting charity for his mother.
It is the same for a father
أَنَّ رَجُلاً، قَالَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِنَّ أَبِي مَاتَ وَتَرَكَ مَالاً وَلَمْ يُوصِ فَهَلْ يُكَفِّرُ عَنْهُ أَنْ أَتَصَدَّقَ عَنْهُ قَالَ ” نَعَمْ ”
A man said to the Prophet ﷺ: “My father died and left wealth but did not make a will. Will it expiate for him if I give charity on his behalf?” He said: “Yes.”
Sahih Muslim 1630 · Narrated by Abu Hurairah · Translation adapted from Sunnah.com
Sadaqah for the deceased and sadaqah jariyah
These are two different things, and both can reach the person who has died. Sadaqah jariyah is the person’s own ongoing charity, one of the three deeds that continue after death (Sahih Muslim 1631). Sadaqah on behalf of the deceased is something we give for them after they have gone, as in the hadiths above. The same hadith in Muslim 1631 also mentions a righteous child who makes dua for them, so our dua, such as the Janazah dua, is another gift we can keep sending.
These hadiths also bring comfort to those who are grieving. We can keep expressing our love and care for someone even when they are no longer with us. They are a reminder too that life is short, so let’s give what we intend to give while we still can.
This is personal for me. I started alHadiths.com as a sadaqah for my late mother and my family. If anything you read here benefits you, please remember her in your dua.
Ways to give sadaqah on behalf of the deceased
- Give to a cause that was close to their heart, and make the intention that the reward is for them.
- Choose something lasting, like a well, a tree-planting project or a school, as Sa’d chose his garden. Even a tree that people and animals eat from counts as charity (Sahih al-Bukhari 2320).
- Sponsor an orphan or support a widow in their name.
- Give simple, regular cash donations to people in need in their name.
- If a parent vowed to perform Hajj and died before doing it, the Prophet ﷺ told a woman to perform it for her mother (Sahih al-Bukhari 1852). Ask a qualified scholar about the conditions.
For detailed rulings, such as using the deceased’s own wealth or settling their debts, please ask a qualified scholar near you.
Key lessons
- Charity given on behalf of someone who has died benefits them.
- This applies to a mother and to a father.
- Sa’d chose a lasting gift: his garden.
- It comforts those who are grieving.
- Life is short, so give what you intend to give now.
Questions people ask
Can I give sadaqah for my deceased mother?
Yes. A man asked the Prophet ﷺ whether his mother would get the reward if he gave charity on her behalf, and he said yes (Sahih al-Bukhari 1388). Sa’d ibn ‘Ubadah gave his garden for his mother (Sahih al-Bukhari 2756).
Does sadaqah on behalf of the deceased reach them?
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ said it benefits them, for a mother (Sahih al-Bukhari 1388) and for a father who left no will (Sahih Muslim 1630).
Is sadaqah for the deceased the same as sadaqah jariyah?
Not exactly. Sadaqah jariyah is the person’s own ongoing charity (Sahih Muslim 1631); sadaqah on behalf of the deceased is given by others after they die. Both can reach them.
If someone you love has passed away, why not give a small sadaqah in their name this week? And when you do, remember them in your dua too.
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