Q 3: Does the reward of reciting Qur'an and other acts of worship (Part No. 9; Page No. 43) reach the deceased, whether done by the deceased's offspring or by others?

A: As far as we know, there is no report from the Prophet (peace be upon him) to indicate that he recited Qur’an and dedicated its reward to the dead, whether they were his relatives or others. If the reward could reach them, he would have been keen on doing so and would have taught it to his Ummah (Nation) so that they could help the dead in this way. He (peace be upon him) was filled with compassion and mercy towards his Ummah. The Rightly-Guided Caliphs and the rest of the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) followed his guidance (may Allah be pleased with them all). We do not know that any of them dedicated the reward of reciting Qur’an to someone else. The best of all goodness resides in following the guidance of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs and the rest of the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them), and evil resides in following Bid`ah (innovation in religion) and innovated matters. The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned us about this when he said, Beware of newly-introduced matters in (religion), for every newly-introduced matter is a Bid`ah (innovation in religion), and every Bid`ah is a Dalalah (deviation from what is right). He also said, Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it, will have it rejected. Therefore, it is not permissible to recite the Qur’an for the dead as the reward of this recitation does not reach them. Rather, this is a Bid`ah.With regard to other kinds of acts of worship, wherever there is a reliable proof indicating that the reward may reach the deceased, then we should accept this, e.g. Giving Sadaqah (voluntary charity) on their behalf, making Du`a’(supplicating to Allah) for them, and performing Hajj on their behalf. However, things unjustified by evidence may not be observed until evidence is established in their support. Therefore, according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions, it is not permissible to recite the Qur’an for the deceased, and the reward for this recitation does not reach them, but is rather a Bid`ah. (Part No. 9; Page No. 44) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.