Ruling on Reciting the Qur'an for the Deceased and Giving Charity on Their Behalf

We move on to the second question in the letter from our brother Abu Salah al-Din from Riyadh. He says: I have a mother who does not read, and I love to be dutiful to her. I often recite the Qur'an and dedicate its reward to her. When I heard that this is not permissible, I stopped doing so and began giving charity on her behalf with money. She is currently alive. Does the reward of charity, whether in money or otherwise, reach her, whether she is alive or dead, or does only supplication reach her, since only that has been reported, as in the hadith: ? And if a person frequently supplicates for his parents in prayer and otherwise, while standing or sitting, does the hadith testify that he is righteous and that good is hoped for him with Allah? I ask for your guidance, and may Allah reward you abundantly.
Answer: As for the Qur'an—reciting the Qur'an—the scholars have differed on whether its reward reaches the deceased, with two opinions among the scholars of knowledge. The stronger opinion, based on evidence, is that it does not reach them, due to the lack of evidence. This is because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did not do this for the deceased Muslims, such as his daughters who died during his lifetime (peace and blessings be upon him), and the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) did not do it either. Therefore, it is better for the believer to leave that off, not to recite for the dead, not for the living, and not to pray for them a prayer that is obligatory upon them. Similarly, voluntary recitation and voluntary fasting; there is no evidence for any of this. As for charity, it benefits the living and the dead by the consensus of the Muslims.
Similarly, supplication benefits the living and the dead by the consensus of the Muslims. The hadith came specifically regarding the deceased because that is the point of dispute: whether it reaches the deceased or not. Therefore, the hadith came, and he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . When he knew that death severs deeds, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) clarified that this does not cease. As for the living, there is no doubt that they benefit from charity from him and from others, and they benefit from supplication. So the one who supplicates for his parents while they are alive benefits them with his supplication, and similarly, charity on their behalf while they are alive benefits them. Similarly, performing Hajj on their behalf if they are unable, if the elder is old, meaning the father is old and cannot perform Hajj, or the woman or the mother, then that benefits them. For this reason, it is established from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that a woman said: , and another man came and said: .
This indicates that Hajj on behalf of the deceased and on behalf of the living person who is unable due to old age, and the woman who is unable due to old age, benefits them. So charity, supplication, and Hajj on behalf of the deceased, and 'Umrah on their behalf, and similarly on behalf of the unable person, all of this benefits them according to all scholars of knowledge.
And you, O questioner, are upon good, if Allah wills, in your kindness to your parents, your charity on their behalf, and your supplication for them, especially if the child is righteous, as he is closer to the acceptance of supplication. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned: (or a righteous child), because the righteous child is closer to having his supplication accepted than the open sinner, even though supplication is required from everyone for their parents. But if the child is righteous, he is closer to having his supplication for his parents accepted. Yes.