Question:
My Muslim friend has passed away. Can I give charity (sadaqah) on his behalf? You mentioned earlier that based on hadith, charity can be given on behalf of parents. Does that apply only to parents, or can it be done for a close friend?
Answer:
parents, or can it be done for a close friend?”
If our parents pass away, we may give charity for them. We may do a good deed and intend in our hearts: “O Allahﷻ, I am spending this amount for this good cause; grant its reward to my parents.”
There are hadith that support giving charity on behalf of parents. That is why we say relatives may do so. Now the question is:
Is it restricted to parents and close relatives? If a close friend dies, can I donate, for example, 10,000 rupees and say: “O Allahﷻ, grant the reward of this to my friend”?
Most scholars say: Charity can be given for any Muslim. It is not restricted to parents. Any Muslim may give charity on behalf of another Muslim.
However, we differ in our understanding. Why? Let us examine the evidences.
Evidence 1 – Hajj on Behalf of Mother (Bukhari 1852, 7315)
A woman from the tribe of Juhaina asked the Prophetﷺ :
“My mother vowed to perform Hajj but died before fulfilling it. May I perform Hajj on her behalf?” The Prophetﷺ replied: “Yes, perform Hajj on her behalf.”
But notice the reasoning: He said, “If your mother had a debt, would you not repay it? The debt owed to Allahﷻ has more right to be fulfilled.” So, the Prophetﷺ compared Hajj to a debt. Who is responsible for settling a person’s debt? Their heirs.
If a mother dies with financial debt, creditors can claim from her heirs. So, the Prophetﷺ grounded this permission on debt responsibility.
Evidence 2 – Fasting on Behalf of Mother (Bukhari 1953) A man said, “My mother died while one month of fasting was due upon her. Should I fast on her behalf?”
The Prophetﷺ said yes and again compared it to settling a debt owed to Allahﷻ. Again, debt logic. Who settles debt? The heir.
Evidence 3 – Charity on Behalf of Mother (Bukhari 2762)
A Companion (related to Ubadah) said, “My mother died while I was away. If I give charity on her behalf, will she benefit?” The Prophetﷺ said yes. He then donated a garden on her behalf. Again, it concerns the mother.
Therefore, our reasoning in all these hadith, clearly shows the issue involves about
- Mother
- Parent
- Heir responsibility
- Debt analogy
The Prophetﷺ links fulfilling acts (Hajj, fasting) to settling debt.
Now asking, if I borrow money and die, can creditors claim from my friend?
No. They claim from heirs. So, the basis is responsibility.
Therefore: If someone is not legally or religiously responsible for the deceased’s obligations, there is no similar grounding.
What Is Universally Allowed? Du’a (supplication).
The Qur’an mentions believers saying: “O our Lord, forgive us and those who preceded us in faith.” So making du’a for any deceased believer is universally allowed.
You can make du’a for:
- Your friend
- A scholar you never met
- Any believer
No restriction. Charity for Friend? Some scholars argue that charity is voluntary, not an obligation like debt. Therefore, anyone may give charity on behalf of anyone. That argument has reasoning.
So, if someone finds that view stronger, they may act on it. But our view emphasizes the debt analogy in hadith. So according to our reasoning:
Du’a — allowed for all.
Acts fulfilling obligations — linked to heirs.
Voluntary charity — scholarly difference occurred