Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh
Praying for those who have passed away is an essential teaching of Islam – confirmed by the evidence of the sources: the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the consensus of Muslims. To cite a few verses from the Qur’an:
“And so, they who come after them pray: “O our Lord! Forgive us our sins, as well as those of our brethren who preceded us in faith, and let not our hearts entertain any unworthy thoughts or feelings against [any of] those who have attained to faith. O our Lord! Verily, You are the Compassionate, a dispenser of grace!” (Al-Hashr 59: 10)
“And Allah tells us also in the Qur’an that children pray for their parents: “My Lord, have mercy on our parents even as they showed mercy towards me when I was little.” (Al-Isra’ 17: 24)
And the Prophet Nuh prayed:
“O My Lord! Grant Your forgiveness unto me and unto my parents, and unto everyone who enters my house as a believer, and unto all believing men and believing women [of later times]; and grant Thou that the doers of evil shall increasingly meet with destruction!” (Nuh 71: 28)
And the Prophet Ibrahim prayed to Allah: “My Lord, Grant Thy forgiveness unto me, and my parents, and all the believers, on the Day on which the [last] reckoning will come to pass!” (Ibrahim 14:41)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also established the clear precedent of praying for those who passed away through funeral prayers as well as at other times such as visiting graves, etc.
Once a man asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) on whether he owes anything towards his parents after they have passed away, he replied:
Yes, one should pray for them.., fulfill their pledges, honor their friends, and foster their ties of kinship.”
Based on such evidence, the Muslim consensus is that the deceased benefit from prayers and good deeds were done on behalf of one’s parents, relatives or friends.
As for the other types of good deeds, you may access the answer linked below:
Almighty Allah knows best.
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