Can the Reward of Qur’an Recitation Be Conveyed to the Deceased? A Sharʿī Response
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil – Matters of Funerals, Volume 1, Page 263
Is it permissible to recite the Noble Qur’an and convey its reward to a deceased Muslim brother or sister? Can children recite the Qur’an and dedicate the reward to their deceased parents, considering the ḥadīth that states a righteous child is a form of ṣadaqah jāriyah for their parents? If someone intends that the reward of their recitation be passed on to a specific deceased individual, is this valid? Kindly provide a referenced answer.
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
✘ There is no verse in the Qur’an, nor is there any authentic (ṣaḥīḥ or ḥasan) ḥadīth from the Prophet ﷺ, which proves that reciting the Qur’an and conveying its reward to a deceased or living person is legislated in Sharīʿah.
It is often mentioned in a ḥadīth that:
❝ A righteous child prays for their parents and becomes a source of continuous charity (ṣadaqah jāriyah) for them. ❞
However:
✔ This ḥadīth refers specifically to duʿāʾ made by a righteous child for the deceased parents.
✘ It does not mention reciting the Qur’an and transferring its reward.
✘ Thus, this narration cannot be used as proof for gifting the reward of Qur’anic recitation to others.
✔ Duʿāʾ for the deceased is clearly legislated and beneficial, especially from righteous offspring.
✘ Conveying the reward of Qur’an recitation to the deceased, however, is not proven from any authentic source in the Qur’an or Sunnah, and therefore, should not be practiced as a religious act.
هٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
This is what I understand, and Allah knows best what is correct.
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil – Matters of Funerals, Volume 1, Page 263❖ Question:
Is it permissible to recite the Noble Qur’an and convey its reward to a deceased Muslim brother or sister? Can children recite the Qur’an and dedicate the reward to their deceased parents, considering the ḥadīth that states a righteous child is a form of ṣadaqah jāriyah for their parents? If someone intends that the reward of their recitation be passed on to a specific deceased individual, is this valid? Kindly provide a referenced answer.
❖ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
✘ There is no verse in the Qur’an, nor is there any authentic (ṣaḥīḥ or ḥasan) ḥadīth from the Prophet ﷺ, which proves that reciting the Qur’an and conveying its reward to a deceased or living person is legislated in Sharīʿah.
✿ Clarifying the Common Misunderstanding:
It is often mentioned in a ḥadīth that:
❝ A righteous child prays for their parents and becomes a source of continuous charity (ṣadaqah jāriyah) for them. ❞
However:
✔ This ḥadīth refers specifically to duʿāʾ made by a righteous child for the deceased parents.
✘ It does not mention reciting the Qur’an and transferring its reward.
✘ Thus, this narration cannot be used as proof for gifting the reward of Qur’anic recitation to others.
Conclusion:
✔ Duʿāʾ for the deceased is clearly legislated and beneficial, especially from righteous offspring.
✘ Conveying the reward of Qur’an recitation to the deceased, however, is not proven from any authentic source in the Qur’an or Sunnah, and therefore, should not be practiced as a religious act.
هٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
This is what I understand, and Allah knows best what is correct.
