Question:
Can reciting Durūd Sharīf and sending its reward to the deceased serve as a substitute for giving charity (ṣadaqah)?
Answer by:
Research Scholar: Kamran Ilahi Zaheer ḥafiẓahullāh
Scholar: Fahd Ansari ḥafiẓahullāh
A widow was advised, based on a dream interpretation, to give charity on behalf of her deceased husband. Upon learning that she was in financial hardship, she was instead advised to recite Durūd Sharīf and send its reward to the deceased.
✔ Poverty or financial hardship does not prevent one from giving ṣadaqah.
✔ Even a small amount, given with sincerity and pure intention, holds great value in the sight of Allah.
✔ It is not necessary to donate a large sum; whatever is available may be given in the path of Allah.
✔ Reciting Durūd Sharīf is a tremendous act of worship in Islam.
✔ However, there is no evidence in the Qur’an or Sunnah that Durūd Sharīf should be used specifically for Īṣāl al-Thawāb (sending reward to the deceased).
✔ Only those deeds should be performed for the deceased that are clearly established in the Qur’an and Sunnah, such as:
– Ṣadaqah (charity)
– Ḥajj
– Fasting (if missed and compensated by a relative)
– Supplication for forgiveness (du‘ā’ al-maghfirah)
✔ If the husband taught his wife Islamic knowledge during his lifetime and she continues to act upon it, then this becomes a source of continuous reward (ṣadaqah jāriyah) for him.
✔ In such a case, there may not even be a need for formal Īṣāl al-Thawāb, as the reward is ongoing through her righteous actions.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Can reciting Durūd Sharīf and sending its reward to the deceased serve as a substitute for giving charity (ṣadaqah)?
Answer by:
Research Scholar: Kamran Ilahi Zaheer ḥafiẓahullāh
Scholar: Fahd Ansari ḥafiẓahullāh
✿ Background of the Question
A widow was advised, based on a dream interpretation, to give charity on behalf of her deceased husband. Upon learning that she was in financial hardship, she was instead advised to recite Durūd Sharīf and send its reward to the deceased.
✿ Importance of Charity
✔ Poverty or financial hardship does not prevent one from giving ṣadaqah.
✔ Even a small amount, given with sincerity and pure intention, holds great value in the sight of Allah.
✔ It is not necessary to donate a large sum; whatever is available may be given in the path of Allah.
✿ Ruling on Durūd Sharīf as Īṣāl al-Thawāb
✔ Reciting Durūd Sharīf is a tremendous act of worship in Islam.
✔ However, there is no evidence in the Qur’an or Sunnah that Durūd Sharīf should be used specifically for Īṣāl al-Thawāb (sending reward to the deceased).
✔ Only those deeds should be performed for the deceased that are clearly established in the Qur’an and Sunnah, such as:
– Ṣadaqah (charity)
– Ḥajj
– Fasting (if missed and compensated by a relative)
– Supplication for forgiveness (du‘ā’ al-maghfirah)
✿ Ongoing Reward Through Righteous Spouse
✔ If the husband taught his wife Islamic knowledge during his lifetime and she continues to act upon it, then this becomes a source of continuous reward (ṣadaqah jāriyah) for him.
✔ In such a case, there may not even be a need for formal Īṣāl al-Thawāb, as the reward is ongoing through her righteous actions.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
