In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Question: The questioner asks: What are the best deeds a person can do in order to please Allaah (The Most High) and (also) benefit one’s parents who have passed away?

Answer: Supplicating for your two parents is one of the best of deeds that will benefit them after they have passed away, fulfilling their promises after they have passed away, keeping the ties of kinship which cannot be done except through them and showing respect and kindness to their friends. It has been reported in a hadeeth on the authority of Abu Usaid Maalik Bin Rabee’ah As-Saa’idee [may Allaah be pleased with him] who said: One day whilst we were with the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] a man from Banu Salamah came and said: O Messenger of Allaah! Is there anything left by way of honouring and showing kindness towards my parents after their death? He said: Supplicating for them, seeking Allaah’s forgiveness for them, fulfilling their promises (or contracts which they may have left behind) after their death, showing respect and kindness towards their friends and keeping the ties of kinship which cannot be done except through them (i.e. their relatives). [Reported by Abu Dawud, Ahmad and Ibn Maajah] (1)

An Important Affair to Bear In Mind As We Constantly Remember Our Deceased Parents

Usama Bin Zayd [may Allaah be pleased with him] said: “While we were with Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], one of his daughters sent for him to call him and inform him that her child or her son was dying. Allaah’s Messenger told the messenger-bearer to go back and tell her that [ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا أَخَذَ وَلَهُ مَا أَعْطَى وَكُلُّ شَىْءٍ عِنْدَهُ بِأَجَلٍ مُسَمًّ – What Allah had taken belonged to Him, and to him belonged what He granted; and He has an appointed time for everything]. So you order her to exercise patience and seek reward from Allah. The message-bearer went back and said, “She adjures him to come to her”. He got up to go accompanied by Sa’d Bin Ubaadah, Mu’aadh Bin Jabal [may Allaah be pleased with them], and I also went along with them. The child was lifted to him and his soul was feeling as restless as if it was in an old (waterskin). His (Prophet’s) eyes welled up with tears. Sa’d said, “What is this, O Allaah’s Messenger!” He replied, “This is mercy which Allah has placed in the hearts of His servants, and Allaah shows mercy only to those of His servants who are merciful”. [Saheeh Muslim. Number 923]

Imaam An-Nawawi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated: This hadeeth is one of the greatest foundations of Islam, which includes many important affairs related to the fundamental principles and branches of the religion, upright behaviour, patience when facing all calamities, worries and illnesses and other distresses. [أن لله تعالى ما أخذ -What Allah had taken belonged to Him] – Meaning: Indeed, the entire universe belongs to Allaah [The Exalted], therefore, he did not take what is yours, but rather He took what belongs to Him in your possession. [وله ما أعطى – and to him belonged what He granted]- Meaning: Indeed, what He has bestowed on you is not outside his ownvership (or dominion), but rather it belongs to Him and He does what He wills [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections]. [وكل شيء عنده بأجل مسمى – and He has an appointed time for everything]- Meaning: Do not be in a state of anxiety, because indeed the one – Allaah- who took it away has brought about its appointed time, therefore, it is impossible to delay or advance its appointed time. If you know all of this, then be patient and seek reward through what has befallen you. And Allaah knows best. (2)

[Ref 1: Fadaa’il Al-A’maal pages 28-29’ by Shaikh Muhmammad Bin Abdillaah As-Subayyil (rahimahullaah)]
[Ref 2: Al-Adkaar 150]