Is there more reward in giving money to an elementary religious school or in hajj badal?

Question

Hajj was not fard upon my mother, and she greatly desired it, but she passed away. I want to do something to convey reward to her. Will there be more reward in having hajj badal (proxy hajj) performed, or in helping a struggling elementary religious school that is in danger of closing?

Answer

Since hajj was not fard upon the deceased and the aim is to convey reward to her, then in an elementary religious school where children are given religious education and which is also in need, there is more reward in giving money there to sustain the school and help it progress.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.