The Prescribed Deeds That Benefit the Deceased

Question:
This questioner, Munira al-Ramih, sent a question saying: My father has passed away, and I want to know what deeds I can perform so that their reward reaches him? And does reciting the Qur'an, if one's intention is for the deceased, cause the reward to go to him, and likewise 'Umrah?
Please inform us, may Allah reward you with the best reward.

Answer:
The deceased is in need of supplication and charity, and the best thing to do for the deceased is supplication, supplicating for him in his absence, supplicating for him, and seeking mercy for him, and asking Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, to forgive him, to shower him with mercy, to pardon him, and to raise his ranks in Paradise, and the like of this good supplication.
And charity likewise, charity in the form of money, food, clothing, or other types of wealth, all of this benefits the deceased, and likewise Hajj on his behalf, and likewise 'Umrah on his behalf, all of this benefits the deceased. And if he has debts, it is obligatory to hasten to pay them off from his wealth if he has wealth, and if he has no wealth, it is prescribed for his awliya (close friends of Allah) from his descendants and relatives to pay them off on his behalf, so paying off his debt is among the greatest charities for him, all of this is required.
As for recitation, no, nothing has come that indicates the prescription of that, and some scholars have held that recitation benefits the deceased, but there is no evidence for it, so it is better to leave that; because there is no evidence from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or from his Companions that recitation reaches the deceased, and that it is read for him, and that he is rewarded for it, this is not based on clear evidence, so it is better, more excellent, and more cautious to leave that.
But one should supplicate for the deceased, seek forgiveness for him, seek mercy for him, give charity on his behalf with money of various types, perform Hajj on his behalf, perform 'Umrah on his behalf, pay off his debt, all of this is something that benefits the deceased, and Allah rewards this, and the deceased benefits, and the doer among the living is also rewarded for it.
And it is authentic from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's prayer and peace be upon him) that he said: .
And it is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also that a man asked him, saying: My mother has died, will she have a reward if I give charity on her behalf? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: So charity on behalf of the deceased benefits him by the consensus of the Muslims, and likewise supplication for him by the consensus of the Muslims benefits him, and Allah is the Helper, yes.

The presenter: And prayer and fasting?

The Shaykh: Prayer is not prescribed, one does not pray for the deceased, this has not been prescribed, and likewise recitation, but as for fasting, if he has fasting owed, it is fasted on his behalf.

The presenter: Obligatory fasting.

The Shaykh: One who dies with fasting owed, by having neglected his fasting and not fasting, it is fasted on his behalf, his awliya (close friends of Allah) fast on his behalf, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: So his male or female child, or his wife, or any of his relatives fasts on his behalf, this is good and benefits the deceased.
A group asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about types of fasting, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) answered them by saying: So he likened it to a debt, whether it is fasting in Ramadan, or expiation, or a vow, all of it is fasted on his behalf according to the correct view, even if it is fasting in Ramadan, even if it is fasting for expiation, and some scholars said: only the vow is fasted on his behalf, but this is a weak opinion, and the authentic hadiths indicate the opposite, the authentic hadiths indicate that it is fasted on his behalf even if it is Ramadan; for this reason Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said about the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: It was narrated by the two Shaykhs in the two Sahihs.
And in the Sahih from several of the Companions that they asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): Who dies with a month of fasting owed? Some of them said: Two months of fasting, should we fast on his behalf? So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: And he likened it to a debt, and he did not ask for details whether it is Ramadan? Is it expiation? Is it a vow? So that indicates that the matter is general, encompassing expiation, encompassing the vow, and encompassing Ramadan.
And in Musnad Ahmad with a good chain from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that a woman said: O Messenger of Allah, my mother died and she had fasting in Ramadan owed, should I fast on her behalf? He said: And this is explicit regarding Ramadan, and its chain is strong and good.
But if the deceased did not neglect, by dying in his illness, then there is no fasting on him according to the majority of scholars, according to the preponderant view of scholars, it is not made up for his fasting, and he is not fed on his behalf; because he is not negligent and is excused; because Allah said: [al-Baqarah:185] So the one who died in his illness, who did not reach other days, is excused, there is no fasting on him, and there is no feeding on him, meaning: there is no feeding or fasting on his heirs, yes.

The presenter: May Allah reward you.