Guidelines for Bestowing Rewards on Others, Whether Living or Deceased

Question:
This questioner, may Allah reward you, asks: Is it permissible for me to do a good deed with the intention that it is for myself, and then at the end of the deed say, “O Allah, make its reward for so-and-so”?

Answer:
It is permissible to bestow rewards on others, whether living or deceased, in matters for which there is evidence, such as supplication, charity, and Hajj and 'Umrah, for which there is evidence. As for what has no evidence, it belongs to its doer. However, since there is evidence for these specific matters, one should restrict oneself to them. The intention must be made at the beginning of the deed. If you perform Hajj and then, after finishing, say the reward is for so-and-so, that is not valid. You must intend it at the time of entering the state of ihram, when you make the intention for ihram. You enter ihram on behalf of so-and-so, or you perform 'Umrah on his behalf. This is necessary. Yes.