30/7. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3649 — Charity for a Deceased Mother
If A Person Dies Unexpectedly, It Is Recommended For His Family To Give Charity On His Behalf
Charity on Behalf of a Deceased Mother: A Clear Prophetic Answer
Sunan an-Nasai : 3649
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3649
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ الْقَاسِمِ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، قَالَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِنَّ أُمِّي افْتُلِتَتْ نَفْسُهَا وَإِنَّهَا لَوْ تَكَلَّمَتْ تَصَدَّقَتْ أَفَأَتَصَدَّقُ عَنْهَا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " نَعَمْ ". فَتَصَدَّقَ عَنْهَا.
A'isha Narrated from:
A man said to the Messenger of Allah: "My mother died unexpectedly; if she had been able to speak she would have given charity. Should I give charity on her behalf?" The Messenger of Allah said: "Yes." So he gave charity on her behalf.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3649In-book reference : Book 30, Hadith 39English translation : Vol. 4, Book 30, Hadith 3679
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3649
This hadith answers a common question about charity on behalf of a deceased parent. A man tells the Messenger of Allah that his mother died unexpectedly. He believes that, if she had been able to speak, she would have given charity. He asks whether he should give charity on her behalf. The Prophet answers, “Yes,” and the man does so. The narration is simple and direct. It shows that charity may be given for a deceased mother in the situation described. It also shows the son’s concern for what his mother would have wanted to do. The hadith does not describe a complicated process or add extra conditions. Its clear focus is the permission to give charity on behalf of the deceased mother after her sudden death.
What we learn from this hadith
- Charity may be given on behalf of a deceased mother in the situation described.
- A child may act on a sincere concern for a parent who died before giving charity.
- Ask for guidance when unsure about an act done for the deceased.
- After receiving a clear answer, the man followed it by actually giving charity.
