Is Isaal-e-Thawaab permissible?

Question: Is Isaal-e-Thawaab (the conveying of reward to others) permissible?

The Answer: In the sacred Shariah, it is permissible and commendable (mustahsan) to convey the reward of any righteous deed to another Muslim, whether deceased or living.

It is important to note that both the Qur'an and Hadith not only affirm the permissibility of Isaal-e-Thawaab but also encourage and emphasize its practice.

One clear method of conveying reward, namely dua for the forgiveness of fellow believers, is explicitly mentioned in the Holy Qur'an. In Part 28, Surah Hashr, verse 10, Almighty Allah says:

وَالَّذِينَ جَاءُوا مِن بَعْدِهِمْ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا للَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Translation:And those who came after them say, O our Rabb! Forgive us, and our brothers who accepted faith before us, and do not keep any malice in our hearts towards the believers, O our Rabb! Indeed only you are the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

Commenting on this verse, Hazrat Mufti Ahmad Yaar Khan Naeemi Alaihir Rahma states:

From this verse, two rulings are derived:

(1) One should not make dua solely for oneself, but also for the pious predecessors.

(2) The gatherings held in remembrance of the saints such as 'Urs, Khatm, Niyaaz, and Faatiha are noble and praiseworthy practices, for they include supplications for those righteous individuals. (Tafseer Noorul-Irfaan)

The permissibility of Isaal-e-Thawaab is also established through numerous authentic Hadiths. For the sake of brevity, one narration is presented here:

Hazrat Sa'd bin 'Ubaadah RadiAllahu Anhu once came to the Holy Prophet ﷺ and said: "My mother has passed away. Which form of Sadaqah is best (on her behalf)?"

The Holy Prophet ﷺ replied, "Water."

He then had a well dug and said: "This is for Sa'd's mother." (Mishkaatul-Masaabeeh)

And Allah Almighty Knows Best

SEEKER OF YOUR DUAAS:

Mufti Mohammad Quaiser Ali Razvi Misbahi Founder & Principal of Darul Uloom Ala-Hazrat, Imam of Masjid e Khalid, Unit 9 Chatsworth.