Giving Sadaqah on behalf of the deceased

A: Giving Sadaqah on behalf of the dead is one of the permissible acts, be it money or just Du`a' (supplication). It has been narrated by Muslim in his Sahih (authentic) Book of Hadith, Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, and Ahl-ul-Sunan (authors of Hadith compilations classified by jurisprudential themes) on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: When a child of Adam dies, his acts come to an end except three things, recurring charity, or knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a pious child who prays for them (for the deceased). This Hadith generally implies that the reward of Sadaqah reaches the dead person. The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not distinguish between whether this should be willed by the deceased or not, and as such, the Hadith is general on both aspects. Furthermore, mentioning the child in making Du`a' for their deceased parents should not be understood as others are prevented from making Du`a' for the deceased. Our evidence for this are the many authentic Hadiths designating the permissibility of making Du`a` for the deceased while performing Salah (Prayer) and upon visiting graves, so there is no difference (Part No. 9; Page No. 26) between being a close relative of the deceased or not. It has been narrated in the two Sahih Books of Hadith on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: A person came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and said: My mother died suddenly without having made a will. Will she be rewarded if I give charity on her behalf? He (the Prophet) said: Yes. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.