Giving Sadaqah on behalf of a deceased

Fatwa no. 4045 A: I intended to go for Hajj (Pilgrimage) and I have a disabled mother who desired to go as well even though she has already made the obligatory and voluntary Hajj previously. Since my mother was not able to perform Hajj that time, I gave her a young cow to offer as a sacrifice during the period I would be doing my Hajj. Nevertheless, my mother did not do so. After returning home from Hajj I gave her a sheep that she sacrificed. Later on, my mother died. We still have the cow and I want to grant the reward thereof to my mother. Is it permissible to sell it and pay its value in the construction of a Masjid (mosque) which is in need of money or should I slaughter the cow and distribute its meat [as a Sadaqah (voluntary charity)] amongst the poor?

A: Both selling the cow and paying its value toward the construction of a Masjid and slaughtering the cow (Part No. 9; Page No. 34) and distributing its meat amongst the poor are permissible for both are pious acts that draw one closer to Allah (Exalted be He). We hope that Allah (Exalted be He) rewards you and your mother with the best for this.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.