Q: My mother cannot read. Wanting to be dutiful to her, I used to recite often the Glorious Qur'an gifting the reward of recitation for her; however, when I heard that this is not permissible, I gave it up and began giving Sadaqah (voluntary charity) on her behalf. She is presently alive, but does the reward of Sadaqah whether money or something else reach her whether she is alive or dead? Or is it only the Du'a' (supplication) that reaches her as reported in the Hadith: "When a person dies, their works (righteous acts) come to an end, apart from three: ...or a pious son who supplicates for them (the deceased)." Does this Hadith indicate that a person who frequently makes Du'a' for his parents in Salah (Prayer) and outside it, while sitting and standing, is righteous and will hopefully be rewarded by Allah? Kindly, advise. May Allah reward you !
A: The scholars differed as to whether the reward of reciting the Glorious Qur'an reaches the dead or not. There are two opinions of which the more likely to be correct is that it does not reach the dead, for there is no evidence to this effect. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not do this for the dead Muslims such as his daughters who died during his lifetime, nor did the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) (may Allah be pleased with them). Therefore, it is preferable that the Mu'min (believer) refrain from reciting the Qur'an, either on behalf of the dead or the living, or offer Salah or Sawm (Fast) on their behalf, for there is no evidence to support any of these deeds. The acts of 'Ibadah (worship) are based upon Tawqif (a religious text and not personal opinion), except for what is authentically reported from Allah or His Messenger (peace be upon him) to be Shar'y (Islamically permissible). As for Sadaqah and Du'a', they benefit the living and the dead by the Ijma' (consensus) of Muslims. The Hadith stated specifically tackle the dead, for this was the controversial matter: whether or not it will benefit the dead. Hence, the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came to clarify this: "When a person dies, their works (righteous acts) come to an end, apart from three: Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity), beneficial knowledge, or a pious son who supplicates for them (the deceased)." As it is well known that one's deeds come to an end by death, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) mentioned the deeds that do not end by death.
Undoubtedly, the living person benefits from the Sadaqah and Du'a'. Thus, making Du'a' for living parents benefits them, and Sadaqah benefits them as well while they are alive. Similarly, performing Hajj on their behalf benefits them if they are unable due to old age or an incurable disease. It is authentically reported that: A woman came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said, "O Messenger of Allah! The obligation of Hajj enjoined by Allah upon His servants has become due on my father when he is an old man and cannot sit firm on the back of the mount. Can I perform Hajj on his behalf?" He (peace be upon him) said, "Yes, perform Hajj on his behalf." Another man came and said to him, "O Messenger of Allah! My father is a very old man who does not have strength to perform Hajj or ' Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) or to undertake the journey?" He (peace be upon him) said, "You may perform Hajj and 'Umrah on behalf of your father." This indicates that it is permissible to perform Hajj on behalf of the dead or living people who are unable because of old age. Thus, giving Sadaqah, making Du'a', Hajj or 'Umrah on behalf of the dead or the unable living people benefit them according to all scholars.
Likewise, making up for the missed Sawm on behalf of the dead, if the Sawm is Wajib (obligatory), whether for a vow or Kaffarah (expiation) or Ramadan, for the generality of the rule stated by the Prophet (peace be upon him): "Anyone who dies owing Sawm their heir should observe Sawm on their behalf." (Agreed upon by Imams AlBukhari and Muslim)There are so many Hadiths to the same effect. However, anyone who delays Sawm in Ramadan due to a Shar'y (Islamic legal) excuse, such as illness or travel, and then dies before making up for them, there is no need to make up on their behalf for the missed Swam or to feed poor people, since they are excused. As for you, dear questioner, you are doing good In sha'aAllah (if Allah wills) by being dutiful to your parents and giving Sadaqah and making Du'a' for them. This is especially true if the son is righteous, for his Du'a' is more likely to be accepted than an unrighteous one. Therefore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: "or a pious son who supplicates for them (the deceased parent)," since the pious child is more apt to have his Du'a' answered than one who is wicked. Nevertheless, Du'a' is required from both, but the Du'a' of the righteous is more likely to be accepted.