Hadith Text and Context

Narrated Sa'd bin 'Ubadah: A man said: "O Messenger of Allah! My mother died, will it benefit her if I give charity on her behalf?" He said: 'Yes.' He said: 'I have a Makhraf, so bear witness that I have given it in charity on her behalf.'" (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 669)

This hadith from The Book on Zakat by Imam at-Tirmidhi addresses the permissibility and virtue of giving charity on behalf of deceased Muslims.

Explanation of Key Terms

Makhraf: A garden or orchard containing date palms, indicating valuable property suitable for charitable endowment.

Benefit for the Deceased: The Prophet's affirmative response establishes that righteous deeds performed by living relatives can reach and benefit the deceased in their afterlife.

Scholarly Commentary

The consensus among classical scholars is that charity given on behalf of the deceased reaches them and benefits them in their graves and in the Hereafter. This includes various forms of charity: feeding the poor, building mosques, digging wells, and other continuous charities (sadaqah jariyah).

The immediate request for witnesses demonstrates the importance of proper documentation in Islamic transactions, especially when involving valuable property, to prevent future disputes and ensure the charity's validity.

Legal Rulings Derived

Charity on behalf of the deceased is not only permissible but highly recommended, particularly from children to parents.

The reward reaches the deceased while the original donor also receives reward for their pious intention and action.

Valuable property can be designated as charitable endowment, with the condition that the principal remains intact while its benefits serve charitable purposes.

Spiritual Significance

This teaching reflects Islam's comprehensive mercy, extending beyond earthly life to maintain the bond between living believers and their departed loved ones through ongoing acts of worship and charity.

It encourages Muslims to remember death and prepare for it through righteous deeds that continue to benefit them after their departure from this world.