Deeds Which Will Benefit The Deceased After His Death

1- Praying for him.

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“If a company of Muslims numbering one hundred pray over a dead person, all of them interceding for him, their intercession [i.e. prayers for forgiveness and mercy] for him will be accepted!”[1]

“If a company of the people prays over a dead person, they will intercede for him”[2]

2- The deceased feels the comforting presence of his brothers in Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) after the burial, for a period of time equal to the time taken to sacrifice a camel and distribute its meat.

'Amr  Ibn  al-'As (may Allah be pleased with him)  said:  “When you  bury me,  stay  around   my  grave  for  the  time  it would   take   to  sacrifice a camel and  distribute its meat,  so that  I may  be comforted by your presence, until I see how  I will  answer the messengers  of  my Lord.”  [Reported by Muslim]

3- Praying for strength   and forgiveness   for him immediately after his burial.

From  Uthman   Ibn  Affan  (may Allah be pleased with him)  who  said: “Whenever the Prophet  (Peace be upon him)  had  finished  burying anyone,  he would  stand  by the grave  and  say:  'Ask  for  forgiveness and  strength   for your  brother,   for  even  now he is being questioned.’"[3]

4- Continuous charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), which he set up in his lifetime; beneficial knowledge; and a pious son who will pray for him.

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “When a person dies, his deeds stop, except for three:  continuous charity, knowledge which benefits others, or a pious son who will pray for him” [Reported by Muslim]

5- Charity given   by the son of the deceased on his/her behalf.

From A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her): a man said to the Prophet (Peace be upon him): “My mother died suddenly without making any will. I think she would definitely have given charity (Sadaqah) if she had been able to speak. Would she have a reward if I gave charity on her behalf?” He said: “yes”. [Reported by Al-Bukhari, Muslim]

6- All the believers and Muslims should pray for him and ask forgiveness for him.

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: “And those who came after them say:  'Our Lord!  Forgive us and our brethren who came before us into the Faith ...” [Surah al-Hashr, 59:10]

The Prophet  (Peace be upon him) said:  “Whoever  prays  for forgiveness for the believing men and  believing women, Allah  will give him  one reward for each  believing man and believing women (he prayed  for).”[4].

7- Defending the borders of Islam for the sake of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) in this world.

The Prophet  (Peace be upon him) said: “When a person  dies his good deeds  come  to an end,  except  for his defending the borders   of Islam for  the sake  of Allah  (fi sabilil-lah).  This deed will grow (i.e. in reward) until the Day of Judgement, and he will be protected   from the Fitnah of the graves".[5]