if her husband has given her permission, or she knows that he would not object and actually approves of the act, then she may give charity from his wealth in the customary manner. If, however, her husband forbids it and has not granted permission, she must refrain and may not donate from his money—even if he is affluent.

Performing Prayer on Behalf of the Deceased

Question: Every night after the ʿIshāʾ prayer I perform two rakʿahs and dedicate their reward to my late father and mother. What is the Islamic ruling on this practice in your view? Kindly advise, and may you be rewarded.

Answer: Showing dutifulness toward one’s parents during their lives and after their death is required of the Muslim and ranks among the noblest of deeds. Praying on behalf of a deceased person, however, is not prescribed. What you should do for your deceased parents is to give charity on their behalf, supplicate for them, and ask Allah’s forgiveness for them. When you perform your own prayers, you may include yourself, your parents, and all Muslims in your supplications—seeking forgiveness and mercy for them. This is what is legislated, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When the son of Adam dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: an ongoing charity, knowledge from which others benefit, or a righteous child who prays for him.”

Accordingly, you should make duʿāʾ for your parents, give charity on their behalf, and, if possible, perform ḥajj on their behalf. All of these are deeds whose reward, Allah willing, will reach them. As for prayer, no one may pray on behalf of another, because prayer is a purely physical act of worship that does not admit substitution.