We know that when a person dies, his deeds are cut off except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge from which benefit is derived, or a righteous child who prays for him.
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The questioner : We know, O honorable Shaykh, that when a person dies, his deeds are cut off except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge from which benefit is derived, or a righteous child who prays for him. So what is ongoing charity and beneficial knowledge?
The Shaykh : Ongoing charity is like building a mosque in which Muslims pray, or building a house for the poor to live in, or printing books from which Muslims benefit, or endowing land whose income goes to the poor. This is ongoing charity.
As for beneficial knowledge.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : It is teaching people what Allah has taught him, whether it is general teaching for the general public in the mosques, or specific teaching for students. If people benefit from this knowledge after his death, his reward continues after his death. In this hadith, which is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sunan Abi Dawud 2880Sahih (Al-Albani) it contains an encouragement to spread knowledge so that a person's reward expands and increases. It also contains an encouragement to raise children with good upbringing, because if they are righteous, they will benefit their parents in this world and pray for them after death.
It also indicates that supplication for the deceased is better than worship, meaning it is better than a person offering worship on his behalf. If someone asked, "Which is better: that I pray for my deceased father, or that I give charity on his behalf?" we would say: the better is that you pray for him. Because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said:Sahih Muslim 1631 He said this while speaking about deeds. If righteous deeds were better than supplication, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) would have directed people to them. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you. He says, O honorable Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Ongoing charity is like building a mosque in which Muslims pray, or building a house for the poor to live in, or printing books from which Muslims benefit, or endowing land whose income goes to the poor. This is ongoing charity.
As for beneficial knowledge.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : It is teaching people what Allah has taught him, whether it is general teaching for the general public in the mosques, or specific teaching for students. If people benefit from this knowledge after his death, his reward continues after his death. In this hadith, which is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
When a man dies, his action discontinues from him except three things, namely, perpetual sadaqah (charity), or the knowledge by which benefit is acquired, or a pious child who prays for him.
إذا مات الإنسان انقطع عمله إلا من ثلاثة، صدقة جارية، أو علم ينتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو لهIt also indicates that supplication for the deceased is better than worship, meaning it is better than a person offering worship on his behalf. If someone asked, "Which is better: that I pray for my deceased father, or that I give charity on his behalf?" we would say: the better is that you pray for him. Because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said:
or a pious child, who prays for him
أو ولد صالح يدعو لهThe questioner : May Allah bless you. He says, O honorable Shaykh.