Sadaqah on behalf of the deceased

Sadaqah is what is given to the poor, needy, and destitute—whether in the form of money, clothing, or food—seeking the pleasure of Allah and striving to earn His love. It is usually given from the possessions of the giver with a sincere and pure intention solely for the sake of Allah, aiming to improve the conditions of others and help them build a stable, dignified life free from hardship.

The importance of sadaqah in Islam can be summarized in the following points:

• It is the best way for a person to draw closer to Allah and attain Paradise.
• It expiates sins and mistakes and increases good deeds.
• It achieves social solidarity and strengthens bonds of love and harmony within the community.
• It protects the giver from calamities and harm.
• It increases reward and blessings from Allah.
• It purifies the soul from hatred and grudges, replacing them with generosity and giving.

There are several conditions that must be met for sadaqah to be valid and to earn the best reward and blessings for the giver. These conditions are as follows:

• A sincere and pure intention solely for the sake of Allah.
• The sadaqah must come from lawful (halal) wealth, not acquired through unlawful means.
• Giving the sadaqah in secret, not publicly in front of people.
• It must be free from any show-off or harm, as these invalidate the reward of the sadaqah.
• It should be given to those who truly deserve it, not to those who do not need it, such as the wealthy or those financially supported by others.
• Offering sadaqah with kind words, respect, and good manners.

Opinions on the Ruling of Sadaqah for the Deceased

Scholars differ on the ruling of giving sadaqah on behalf of the deceased, summarized as follows:

• The Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools believe that the reward of the sadaqah reaches the deceased and consider it permissible and recommended. Evidence for this is the hadith of Sa’d ibn ‘Ubadah (may Allah be pleased with him), who asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) if the reward of sadaqah given for his deceased mother would reach her, and the Prophet confirmed it.
• The Hanafi school also considers it permissible and that the reward reaches the deceased, supported by the hadith:
  “Sa’d’s mother died, and he said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, my mother has died; shall I give sadaqah on her behalf?’ He said, ‘Yes.’” (Narrated by Bukhari).
• Contemporary scholars generally view sadaqah for the deceased as a recommended act, with continuous charity (sadaqah jariyah) such as spreading knowledge, digging wells, or building mosques being among the best forms.
• By consensus of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah, Sheikh Ibn Baz stated that sadaqah for the deceased is legitimate and reaches them.
• Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen also affirmed the permissibility of sadaqah for the deceased, describing it as an act of kindness whose reward returns to the deceased.

Types of Sadaqah for the Deceased

There are many types of sadaqah for the deceased, including:

• Donating money on behalf of the deceased through charitable organizations or orphanages to earn great reward.
• Continuous charity (sadaqah jariyah), such as digging wells, building mosques, schools, or hospitals.
• Sponsoring an orphan, which is a highly rewarding humanitarian act.
• Feeding the poor by providing food directly or organizing meals for the needy.
• Giving in-kind charity by distributing clothes, supplies, or medical equipment to those in need.

Donate Your Sadaqah to Refugees and Needy

You can donate sadaqah for refugees and those in need through Al-Evfa Humanitarian Association, known for its trusted and efficient work in distributing donations fairly to those most deserving. Their extensive experience and reputable record have benefited thousands of refugees.

Al-Evfa also organizes charitable campaigns reaching many beneficiaries thanks to their expertise and good reputation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to the deceased if sadaqah is given on their behalf?

The sadaqah reduces the punishment of the deceased, erases sins, and increases their good deeds.

Which types of sadaqah reach the deceased?

All types of sadaqah reach the deceased, with continuous charity like digging wells or building mosques being the best. However, even non-continuous sadaqah reaches the deceased and carries great reward.

Does the deceased know who gives sadaqah on their behalf?

There is no clear evidence that the deceased know the identities of those who give sadaqah on their behalf. Only Allah knows this, but the reward definitely reaches the deceased.

Is the deceased informed of the name of the one who prays for them?

There is no proof that the deceased are informed of the names of those who pray for them, but prayers are very beneficial and their reward reaches the deceased as a mercy from the Almighty.

What is the best sadaqah for the deceased?

The best sadaqah is continuous charity (sadaqah jariyah) that benefits others for a long time, like digging wells, building mosques, or distributing Qurans.

Does sadaqah for the deceased reach non-relatives?

Yes, sadaqah given on behalf of the deceased reaches them even if the giver is not a relative, provided the intention is sincere and pure for the sake of Allah.