Giving Sadaqah and performing Hajj on behalf of the dead son

Q 2: Is it permissible to give in Sadaqah (voluntary charity) on behalf of my dead son or not? Was it obligatory upon my son who died at the age of eighteen to perform Hajj? Is it permissible to name my future son after him?

A: Giving in Sadaqah on behalf of a dead person is one of the Shar`y (Islamically lawful) charitable deeds whose reward may reach (Part No. 10; Page No. 65) the dead according to the intention of the payer of Sadaqah. This is supported by many pieces of evidence reported in the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet). With regards your son, it was obligatory upon him to perform Hajj because he died after reaching the age of puberty as long as he was physically and financially able. If he left an estate, it is obligatory to perform Hajj on his behalf using what he left to pay for the expenses. And yet, if someone else volunteers to perform Hajj on his behalf, it will be permissible. It was authentically reported on the authority of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) that he said: A man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying: "My father died before performing Hajj. Should I perform it on his behalf?" He (peace be upon him) said: "Don't you see that if debt was due from him, would you not pay it?" He said: "Yes." He (peace be upon him) said: "Then Perform the Hajj on behalf of your father." (Related by Al-Nasa'y and others) Finally, there is nothing wrong with naming your future son after your dead one.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.