Is it permissible for a person to donate the reward of his deeds to another person who is still alive?
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The questioner : Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : Is it permissible for a living person to donate or give the reward to another living person, for example, by taking on the guardianship of one orphan for himself and one for another without his knowledge, but intending that the reward is for himself?
The Shaykh : The scholars have differed on this: is it permissible for a living person to gift the reward of a deed to another living person, or not?
They also differed on whether it is permissible for a living person to gift the reward of a deed to a deceased person in matters other than what the Sunnah has established, or not?
The precaution for a person is to do what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) directed, which is: supplication. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said:Sahih Muslim 1631 He did not say "or a righteous son who works for him," even though the context of the hadith is about deeds. If deeds for the parents had been among the required matters, the Messenger (may Allah's prayer and peace be upon him) would have specified it, and he would not have turned away from this to supplication. This is the case with the parents, so how much more so with others.
Therefore, we encourage our brothers to make righteous deeds for themselves. If he wants to give charity of a dirham to his father or mother, let him make it for himself, and let him supplicate for his parents in the prayer, between the adhan and the iqamah, in the night prayer, or otherwise. This is the best, and this is what the Prophet (may Allah's prayer and peace be upon him) guided to. However, if he gives charity on behalf of his parents, or performs Hajj or 'Umrah on their behalf, there is no harm.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : Is it permissible for a living person to donate or give the reward to another living person, for example, by taking on the guardianship of one orphan for himself and one for another without his knowledge, but intending that the reward is for himself?
The Shaykh : The scholars have differed on this: is it permissible for a living person to gift the reward of a deed to another living person, or not?
They also differed on whether it is permissible for a living person to gift the reward of a deed to a deceased person in matters other than what the Sunnah has established, or not?
The precaution for a person is to do what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) directed, which is: supplication. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said:
When a man dies, his acts come to an end, but three, recurring charity, or knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a pious child, who prays for him (for the deceased).
إذا مات الإنسان انقطع عمله إلا من ثلاثة إلا من صدقة جارية، أو علم ينتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو لهTherefore, we encourage our brothers to make righteous deeds for themselves. If he wants to give charity of a dirham to his father or mother, let him make it for himself, and let him supplicate for his parents in the prayer, between the adhan and the iqamah, in the night prayer, or otherwise. This is the best, and this is what the Prophet (may Allah's prayer and peace be upon him) guided to. However, if he gives charity on behalf of his parents, or performs Hajj or 'Umrah on their behalf, there is no harm.