Fatwa ID: 03471

Answered by: Maulana Belaal Ahmed​

Question

What are the masnoon methods to send Ithaalul Thawaab to the deceased? there are so many innovations rising that it causes confusion as to what is proven with Sunnah and what isn't?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

Ahlus Sunnah unanimously agrees that one’s deeds can benefit another person. There are no two opinions among the AhlusSunnah that one’s Amal can benefit another person.

Here are some examples in the following regard:

1) When Rasulullah (sallallahualayhi wasallam) would perform the act of Qurbani (sacrifice), he would sacrifice two beautiful rams and say:

“O, Allah! This sacrifice is from You and for You, on behalf of Muhammad and his Ummah; from whosoever testifies to Your Oneness and for my Tableegh (delivering the message properly)”

(Bukhari, Muslim)

So from the above, we learn that Ithaalul Thawaab is something that exists and the method shown to us by the Prophet (S.A.W) was quite simply a dua which the prophet did we also learn other narrations also that the sahabahs would do amaal and pray for the deceased an example can be found in mishkaat ul masaabih page 149:

“Ibn Umar (r.a) says that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “When someone among you dies, don’t hold him back, take him to his grave quickly, and recite by his head side the opening of Surah al Baqara and by his feet side the ending of Surah al Baqara.”

In another narration of Sunan Abu Dawood, page 445 (Hadith no 3121):

" Hazrat Maqal bin yassar r.a narrates that the Holy prophet s.a.w said recite Yaseen upon your deceased".

So the above are some of the ways one can send Ithaalul Thawaabfor the deceased.

However, things that should be avoided are things like fixing someday or specific time for isaale sawaab, whereas it should be done according to ease and convenience, and in some cases thinking it is fardh to do so when at most it’s mustahab.

Other things which should be avoided are things like accusing and insulting those who are not able to take part in the khatam or similar activities, even though this type of attitude is not permissible or preparation of special food and overspending for such reasons. This amounts to addition in Deen and thus become impermissible.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Belaal Ahmed

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham