Can We Do Charity on Behalf of the Dead?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
My close friend’s mother passed away recently, and I donated some money to the local masjid as sadaqah jariyah (an ongoing charity) on her behalf.
I read somewhere that if I plan to donate money on behalf of a person, I should inform a family member of the deceased, in this case, my friend. I want to know if it is permissible to tell my friend or if I shouldn’t mention that I donated money on behalf of their mother.
Answer
Donating to charity on behalf of the deceased is valid, and there is no need to inform your friend. However, it is permissible.
Please see this link for the full details:
Donating Reward to the Dead: A Detailed Answer
It is usually not preferable that one announces one’s charity-giving unless there is some benefit. The Prophet said: “When Allah created the earth, it started shaking. So He created the mountains and said to them: ‘Upon it’ so it began to settle. The angels were amazed at the strength of the mountains, so they said: ‘O Lord! Is there among your creatures one who is more severe than the mountains?’ He said: ‘Yes. Iron.’ They said: ‘O Lord! Then is there anything among your creatures that is more severe than that iron?’ He said: ‘Yes. Fire.’ They said: ‘O Lord! Is there anything among your creatures that is more severe than fire?’ He said: ‘Yes. Water.’ They said: ‘O Lord! Is there anything among your creatures that is more severe than water?’ He said: ‘Yes. Wind.’ They said: ‘O Lord! Is there anything among your creatures more severe than wind?’ He said: ‘Yes. The son of Adam. He gives charity with his right hand while hiding it from his left.’” [Tirmidhi]
May Allah reward you and send you the same benefit and honor when your time comes.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqida, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
