Ruling on Charity, Qur’an Recitation, and Designated Days on Behalf of the Deceased
📚 Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil – Matters of Funerals, Volume 1, Page 264
❖ Question:
If someone gives charity or performs acts of goodness on behalf of a deceased person — whether a relative or not — such as arranging food on a specific day, organizing Qur’an recitation sessions for Eisāl-e-Thawāb, is this practice permissible or not? And what is the ruling for someone who partakes in such gatherings or meals?
❖ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
✔ Giving charity on behalf of the deceased is Sharʿīly permissible, and its reward certainly reaches the deceased. This is clearly supported by a narration of Ḥaḍrat Saʿd رضي الله عنه found in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim.
However, the following points must be understood:
✿ Key Rulings:
① Fixing a specific day or time for charity is not proven from the Qur’ān or any authentic ḥadīth.
② Gathering relatives or others at the time of charity is also not supported by any verse or ḥadīth.
③ Similarly, reciting the Qur’an on behalf of the deceased is not established from the Prophet ﷺ or his companions.
✖ Ruling on Participation:
✘ Attending such gatherings and partaking in the food is not permissible, as it encourages and promotes innovations (bidʿah) that have no basis in the Sharīʿah.
➤ These practices should be discouraged, not supported or normalized.
Conclusion:
While giving charity on behalf of the deceased is valid and beneficial, associating it with designated days, public gatherings, or Qur’an recitation sessions has no Sharʿī basis and falls under non-legislated innovations. Participating in such events is therefore not allowed.
هٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
This is what I understand, and Allah knows best what is correct.
