1. 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
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 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 Judgment, and he will be protected from the Fitnah of the graves”.[5]
[1] Muslim.
[2] AI-Nisa’i: classed as Hasan by al-Albani, Sahih al Jami’, No. 5663.
[3] Abu Da’ud; classed as Sahih by al-Albani, op. cit, No. 956.
[4] AI- Tabarani, al kabir, classed as Hasan by al- AIbani, op. cit., No. 5902.
[5] Abu Da’ud, al-Tirmidhi. Described by the latter as a Sahih Hasan Hadjth.