It is mentioned in one hadith that the dead person in his grave is like the person who is drowning in water and desires aid from a helper from all sides. After death, people are in need and awaiting the reward ( isal al-thawab) and supplications etc. When a person dies, all his actions stop except if he has left behind a continuous act of charity ( sadaqah jariyah) or carried out another action that meets the criteria of a continuous act of charity which shall be mentioned later on. It would be grossly void of honour for one to benefit from their wealth and also their kindness while they were alive, and then to ignore them when they are in need of our gifts and favour. One should diligently perform acts of righteousness ( isal al-thawab) on behalf of oneвЂ™s parents, spouses, siblings, children and other relatives, particularly those whose wealth may have reached us after their death or they had carried out special acts of kindness to us, such as teachers and shaykhs. If I were to give some charity on her behalf, then would it be from her?вЂќ The Prophet (п·є) said, вЂњYes, give charity on her behalf.вЂќ ((Abu Dawud)) If she had not passed away suddenly then she would have given some charity etc. It is mentioned in a hadith that a woman asked the Prophet (п·є), вЂњMy mother has suddenly passed away. Now she has died and if we were to carry out all of these works on her behalf, then would she benefit?вЂќ The Prophet (п·є) replied that they would reach her. She used to give in charity with my wealth, maintain ties and support people. It is mentioned in a hadith that Sayyiduna SaвЂd (may Allah be pleased with him) said, вЂњOh Messenger of Allah (п·є), when she was alive my mother used to perform Hajj with my wealth. A week passed and all of the wounds on his face healed and his face had become even more handsome than before. In a dream I saw the Prophet (п·є) who said, вЂTell Hakim to make water abundantly available for the Muslims.вЂ™ Having heard this, Hakim had a public fountain established on his door in which arrangements were made for it to be replenished with water and ice. The next Friday, a woman arrived and presented a chit on which it was written, вЂњWhen I returned home the previous Friday, I continued diligently supplicating for Hakim. It was a Friday and he supplicated for a long time. Once he asked his teacher, Abu вЂUthman Sabuni (may Allah have mercy on him), to supplicate for him. He tried all sorts of treatment, none of which were useful. The famous hadith scholar, Abu вЂAbdullah Hakim (may Allah have mercy on him) had some wounds on his face. I have hope in Allah that when water comes out from there, then the bleeding on your knee shall stop.вЂќ The person did as suggested and the wound healed. I have also visited renowned physicians.вЂќ Sayyiduna вЂAbdullah bin Mubarak (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, вЂњHave a well dug at a place where there is a scarcity of water. I have tried every type of medicine and cure and nothing has benefitted me. A person came to Sayyiduna вЂAbdullah bin Mubarak (may Allah be pleased with him) and said, вЂњThere is a wound on my knee that has been there for seven years.

It is mentioned in one hadith that the person who starts a system of supplying water from which humans, jinns and birds drink will continue receiving its rewards even after death until the Day of Reckoning. Aside from this, there is a general benefit in water and the need was also general. Firstly, water is particularly needed everywhere in hot countries and there was scarcity of water in Madinah Munawwarah at that time. (Narrated by Malik, Abu Dawud and al-NasaвЂ™i)Д¬ommentary: The reason why the Prophet (п·є) mentioned that water was most superior was because it was very much needed in Madinah.

Which form of charity is most superior?вЂќ The Prophet (п·є) replied, вЂњWater is the most superior.вЂќ At this, Sayyiduna SaвЂd (may Allah be pleased with him) had a well excavated for the reward of his mother. Sayyiduna SaвЂd (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, вЂњOh Messenger of Allah (п·є) my mother has passed away. Noticing the brilliant way the shaykh has discussed this topic here and how people nowadays often consider isolated views on this subject as the mainstream view, I felt it apt to translate this passage and share with our readers for their benefit.) ВВ( TranslatorвЂ™s Note: Below is an insightful passage from Shaykh al-Hadith Mawlana Muhammad Zakariyya KandhalwiвЂ™s FadaвЂ™il-i-Sadaqat in which the author, while commenting on a hadith, mentions some insightful references and comments regarding sending reward for pious actions to those who have passed away.

Isale sawab benefits