The concept of Eesal-e-Sawab (ایصال ثواب) holds a central position in Islamic belief and practice. It refers to the act of performing good deeds and conveying the spiritual reward to deceased Muslims. This act is rooted in love, mercy, and remembrance of those who have departed. Many people ask whether this practice has authentic support in the Qur’an and Sunnah. In this article, we will explore ایصال ثواب کی احادیث, scholarly explanations, and relevant verdicts from Fatwa QA.

Understanding Eesal-e-Sawab

In Islamic tradition, Muslims believe that their good deeds can benefit not only themselves but also others, including their deceased relatives and loved ones. This includes acts such as reciting the Holy Qur’an, giving charity, performing Hajj and Umrah, or making supplications (du‘a) for the dead. The essence of ایصال ثواب کی احادیثis to strengthen the bond of mercy and unity within the Ummah, ensuring that the deceased are not forgotten.

Authentic Ahadith on Eesal-e-Sawab

Several authentic narrations highlight the permissibility and virtue of sending rewards to the deceased. Some of the key Ahadith include:

1. Charity for the Deceased

A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said:
“My mother has died suddenly, and I think that if she had spoken, she would have given in charity. Will she have a reward if I give charity on her behalf?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied: “Yes.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

This hadith directly establishes the permissibility of conveying the reward of charity to the deceased.

2. Fasting on Behalf of the Deceased

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever dies and a fast is due from him, his guardian should fast on his behalf.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

This hadith shows that acts of worship, such as fasting, can also be gifted to the deceased, and they will benefit from it.

3. Performing Hajj for the Deceased

A woman asked the Prophet ﷺ:
“My mother vowed to perform Hajj, but died before she could do so. Should I perform Hajj on her behalf?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied: “Yes, perform Hajj on her behalf.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Sahih al-Bukhari)

This highlights that even major acts of worship can be done as Eesal-e-Sawab.

4. Du‘a and Istighfar

The Qur’an itself commands believers to pray for the deceased:

“And those who come after them say: Our Lord! Forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith.”
(Surah al-Hashr, 59:10)

This establishes that making du‘a is a continuous way of Eesal-e-Sawab for the deceased.

Scholarly Views on Eesal-e-Sawab

Islamic scholars across different schools of thought have affirmed the practice of Eesal-e-Sawab as valid and beneficial. The majority agree that any act of worship, whether physical (such as fasting, prayer, and recitation) or financial (such as charity), can be conveyed to the deceased.

• Imam al-Nawawi (رحمه الله): In his commentary on Sahih Muslim, he mentions that scholars agree on the permissibility of giving charity on behalf of the dead.
• Imam Ibn Qayyim (رحمه الله): In Kitab al-Ruh, he emphasizes that supplication, charity, and Hajj reach the deceased.
• Hanafi Scholars: The Hanafi school widely accepts the conveyance of Qur’an recitation and all good deeds to the deceased.

According to Fatwa QA, the position of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama‘ah is clear: Eesal-e-Sawab is permissible, and the deceased does indeed benefit from the rewards of such actions.

Practical Forms of Eesal-e-Sawab

From the hadiths of conveying reward, Muslims practice several forms of conveying reward, including:

1. Recitation of the Holy Qur’an – Reading Surah Yaseen or other parts of the Qur’an and gifting the reward to the deceased.
2. Charity (Sadaqah, Waqf, or Qurbani) – Donating on behalf of the deceased.
3. Supplication (Du‘a) – Praying for their forgiveness and mercy.
4. Hajj and Umrah – Performing these great acts for those who were unable to do so.
5. Fasting and Other Worship – Completing missed fasts or prayers as qada for them.

Addressing Misconceptions

Some groups question the legitimacy of Eesal-e-Sawab. However, the evidence from authentic Ahadith is undeniable. The narrations mentioned above, combined with the scholarly consensus, prove that ایصال ثواب کی احادیثare well-grounded in Islamic tradition. According to Fatwa QA, the key principle is that Islam encourages mercy, remembrance, and unity; hence, conveying reward to others is a reflection of that mercy.

Conclusion

The practice of Eesal-e-Sawab is not an innovation but an established Sunnah, supported by numerous authentic narrations. From charity to Qur’an recitation, fasting to Hajj, the blessings of one’s deeds can reach those who have passed away. The ایصال ثواب کی احادیثdemonstrate the vast mercy of Allah, allowing believers to continue benefiting their loved ones even after death.