Fatwa ID: 01996
Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Question:
Shinni (feeding the poor)
Answer:
Shinni (feeding the poor) comes under the Islamic concept of Isale Thawab (the conveying of an act of virtue to someone). Isale Thawab is permissible regardless of whatever deed it may be, whether it is Salah, Fast, Hajj, Tawaf, Umrah, giving charity or feeding the poor etc…
Allah 
in the Holy Quran has said:
“O’ Allah! Forgive us and forgive our Muslim brothers and sisters who have passed away.” (Surah Hashr v.10)
Once a man came to the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam and said; “My mother has suddenly died and did not leave any will but I suspect if she did that then she would have told me to give something to charity. Now if I offer something in charity on her behalf, will she get the reward? The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam replied: “yes”, then the man said that “I make you (the Prophet) as my witness that I offer my garden full of fruits to charity.” (Sahih Bukhari p.386 v.1)
The scholars have said that not only the reward can be conveyed to the deceased but it can also be conveyed for the entire Muslim ummah, male and female and the doer’s reward is not decreased at all. (Raddul Muhtar p.10 v.4)
Keeping the aforementioned point in mind it is permissible to do one shinni for both your father and mother and they will each receive the equal reward and thawab. (Imdadul Fatawa .573 v.3)
Finally, it should be borne in mind that to think feeding the poor or to do these Shinnis on the 3rd or 40th or a year from the death of your father or mother is not a practice of Islam and hence, it should be avoided. You can feed the poor on behalf of your father and mother as long as you do not stipulate a specific date.
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
