Is it permissible, when completing a recitation of the Qur'an, to say, "This recitation is dedicated to the face of so-and-so, the deceased"?
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The questioner : Is it permissible, when completing a recitation of the Qur'an, to say, "This recitation is dedicated to the face of so-and-so, the deceased"?
The Shaykh : This is based on the permissibility of dedicating acts of worship to the deceased. The correct view, meaning the stronger position, is that it is permissible to dedicate acts of worship to deceased Muslims, whether they are relatives of the person performing the act or not. This is because it is established in several cases that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) permitted giving charity on behalf of a deceased person, fasting on behalf of a deceased person, and performing Hajj on behalf of a deceased person. It is not reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he prohibited reciting the Qur'an on behalf of a deceased person, or making dhikr (remembrance of Allah) on behalf of a deceased person, or the like. Therefore, the correct view is that dedicating acts of worship, meaning dedicating their reward, to the deceased is permissible if they are Muslims. So, if a person recites something from the Qur'an with the intention that it is for a relative, near or far, there is no harm in that according to the stronger position. However, I guide people to something better than that, which is making du'a' (supplication) for the deceased. Making du'a' for the deceased is better than dedicating acts of worship to him, as evidenced by the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Riyad as-Salihin 949 The child mentioned and the du'a' was mentioned, but the deed was not mentioned. If the deed for the deceased had been required, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) would have guided to it, especially since he is speaking about deeds and their cessation upon death. Based on this, we say to the one who wants to pray for his father or mother, or give charity for them or for others: The best for you is to make du'a' for your parents and to keep the deeds for yourself.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : This is based on the permissibility of dedicating acts of worship to the deceased. The correct view, meaning the stronger position, is that it is permissible to dedicate acts of worship to deceased Muslims, whether they are relatives of the person performing the act or not. This is because it is established in several cases that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) permitted giving charity on behalf of a deceased person, fasting on behalf of a deceased person, and performing Hajj on behalf of a deceased person. It is not reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he prohibited reciting the Qur'an on behalf of a deceased person, or making dhikr (remembrance of Allah) on behalf of a deceased person, or the like. Therefore, the correct view is that dedicating acts of worship, meaning dedicating their reward, to the deceased is permissible if they are Muslims. So, if a person recites something from the Qur'an with the intention that it is for a relative, near or far, there is no harm in that according to the stronger position. However, I guide people to something better than that, which is making du'a' (supplication) for the deceased. Making du'a' for the deceased is better than dedicating acts of worship to him, as evidenced by the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
When a man dies, his deeds come to an end, except for three: A continuous charity, knowledge by which people derive benefit, pious son who prays for him.
إذا مات الإنسان انقطع عمله إلا من ثلاث: صدقة جارية، أو علم ينتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو لهThe questioner : May Allah reward you with good.