and perfect in His actions and in His creation. “He is not questioned about what He does, whereas they will be questioned” (al-Anbiyaʾ 21:23).

There is benefit for the deceased in the supplications and charitable donations offered by the living.

Thus, the Exalted is never to be questioned about what He does, for everything He does is rooted in wisdom and placed exactly where it belongs. As for human beings, they will be questioned, because they err and misplace matters. This is the fundamental difference between the Creator and the created: no flaw mars Allah’s actions, whereas the servant is prone to injustice, envy, and arrogance—traits that lead him to mistakes in his affairs and conduct.

This is a juristic issue that is also connected to creed. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “When the son of Adam dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: a continuous charity, knowledge from which people benefit, or a righteous child who prays for him.” (1)

Accordingly, a person’s deeds cease with his death except for whatever he set in motion to continue after him. An example is a continuous charity, such as endowing a mosque or a school where people study; as long as others draw benefit from it, its reward keeps flowing.

“Or knowledge,” that is, he may have taught fiqh or creed and left behind students, so the reward for his teaching reaches him; or he authored books that benefit people, and his reward continues through them. This all falls under the knowledge he imparted.