Isaal-e-Sawaab

By Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Posted: 6 Jamad-ul-Awwal 1424, 6 July 2003


Q.) I came across a person who said that one can read the Qur'an for his deceased parents and request God to credit the reward to the deceased. I would like to know this matter in the light of Qur'an and Hadith [Mohammed Gufran]

A.) Isaal-e-Sawaab (to perform a virtuous act and grant the reward to any person, alive or deceased) is permissible.

On numerous occasions, Nabi Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam advised the Sahaba (Radhiyallaahu Anhum) to give charity on behalf of the deceased. One specific incident is of Sayyidna Abu Talha (Radhiallaahy Anhu) when the verse, 'You cannot attain virtue until your spend what is beloved to you…' (Nisaa 4). Abu Talha gave his most valuable well and garden, Bi'r Haa as charity on behalf of his deceased mother. In fact, Rasulullah Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam slaughtered 100 sheep during his farewell Hajj and made intention for himself and all those (alive, deceased and to come) who accept faith in his prophethood. (Nasbur Raaya, Allama Zailee)

Sayyidna Anas, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports that Rasulullah Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, 'Whosoever reads Yaseen at anybody's grave, Allah will decrease their punishment.' This proves that reading the Qur'an and conveying the rewards to the deceased, benefits the deceased. (Umdatul Qaari; Ahsanul Fataawa vol.4 pg.206)

And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best