By Mawlana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhalawi رحمه الله

­­Translated by Mawlana Ismaeel Nakhuda رحمه الله

­­(Translator’s Note: Below is an insightful passage from Shaykh al-Hadith Mawlana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhalwi’s  رحمه الله Fada’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. 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.)

[18] Sayyiduna Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, “Oh Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) my mother has passed away. Which form of charity [for sending her reward] is most superior?” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, “Water is the most superior.” At this, Sayyiduna Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him) had a well excavated for the reward of his mother. (Narrated by Malik, Abu Dawud and al-Nasa’i)

Commentary: The reason why the Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned that water was most superior was because it was very much needed in Madinah. Firstly, water is particularly needed everywhere in hot countries and there was scarcity of water in Madinah Munawwarah at that time. Aside from this, there is a general benefit in water and the need was also general.

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. A person came to Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Mubarak (may Allah be pleased with him) and said, “There is a wound on my knee that has been there for seven years. I have tried every type of medicine and cure and nothing has benefitted me. I have also visited renowned physicians.” Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Mubarak (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, “Have a well dug at a place where there is a scarcity of water. I have hope in Allah that when water comes out from there, then the bleeding on your knee shall stop.” The person did as suggested and the wound healed.

The famous hadith scholar, Abu ‘Abdullah Hakim (may Allah have mercy on him) had some wounds on his face. He tried all sorts of treatment, none of which were useful. He spent a year like this. Once he asked his teacher, Abu ‘Uthman Sabuni (may Allah have mercy on him), to supplicate for him. It was a Friday and he supplicated for a long time. The congregation said amin. The next Friday, a woman arrived and presented a chit on which it was written, “When I returned home the previous Friday, I continued diligently supplicating for Hakim. In a dream I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) who said, ‘Tell Hakim to make water abundantly available for the Muslims.’ 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. A week passed and all of the wounds on his face healed and his face had become even more handsome than before.1

It is mentioned in a hadith that Sayyiduna Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Oh Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), when she was alive my mother used to perform Hajj with my wealth. She used to give in charity with my wealth, maintain ties and support people. Now she has died and if we were to carry out all of these works on her behalf, then would she benefit?” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied that they would reach her.2

It is mentioned in a hadith that a woman asked the Prophet (ﷺ), “My mother has suddenly passed away. If she had not passed away suddenly then she would have given some charity etc. If I were to give some charity on her behalf, then would it be from her?” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Yes, give charity on her behalf.”3

One should diligently perform acts of righteousness (isal al-thawab) on behalf of one’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. 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. 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. After death, people are in need and awaiting the reward (isal al-thawab) and supplications etc. of others.