5e] Conveying Rewards to the Deceased (Isaale Sawaab)

5e]
"Takbeer" He said, "The grave became too narrowfor this pious man till
Allah made it spacious because of it (the recitation). " (Ahmed,
Mishkaat)
Hadeeth 30
Narrated on the authority of Ibn Shamasa Mahri : He said: We went to
Amr b. al-As and he was about todie. He said: When I die, let neither
female mourner nor fire accompany me. When youbury me, fill my grave
well with earth, then stand around it for the time within which a
camel is slaughtered and its meat is distributed so that I may enjoy
your intimacy and (in your company) ascertain what answer I can give
to the messengers (angels) of Allah. (Muslim - part of a longer
Hadeeth.)
It is desirable that after burial the people sit at graveside for the
durationof slaughtering a camel and distributing its meat, and that
during that time the sitters busy themselves with reciting Qur'an,
supplicating for the deceased, exhortation,and the stories of the
HolyProphets etc. Imam Shafiesaid that it is better to recite the Holy
Qur'an andall those present should also recite - and it is better if
the entire Qur'an is recited. Also documented by Imam Nawawi in
Riyadh-us-Saleheen.
It is the opinion of most scholars that when visiting the graveyard, a
person should recite the following Surahs because of their individual
excellence, and then convey the reward of recitation: Surah Fateha
(one of the best prayers), Surah Yaseen (the heart ofthe Holy Qur'an),
Surah Ikhlas (equal to one third of Holy Qur'an in reward) and Surah
Mulk (intercedes for the reader till the reader is forgiven).
PLANTING OF TREES (HADEETH # 31)
Hadeeth 31
Ibn Abbas (Allah be well pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of
Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) happened to pass by two graves
and said: They (their occupants) are being tormented, but they are not
tormented for a grievous sin. One of them carried tales and theother
did not keep himself safe from being defiled by urine. He then called
for a fresh twig andsplit it into two parts, andplanted them on each
grave and then said: Perhaps, their punishmentway be mitigated as long
as these twigs remain fresh .(Muslim)
Imam Nawawi said in commenting on the above in his Sharh Sahih Muslim
(al-Mays ed. 3/4:206): "The scholars have declared desirable --
mustahabb -- the recitation of the Qur'an over the grave due to the
above Hadeeth, because ifrelief from punishment is hoped for through
the glorification of date-palm stalks, then the recitation of the
Qur'an is more deserving yet, and Allah knows best." This Hadeethalso
constitutes a legal basis for the planting of trees at the site of
graves .
Among the Companions Hazrat Abu Barza al-Aslami (Allah be well pleased
with him) and Hazrat Burayda (Allah be well pleased with him) asked to
be buried together with two fresh stalks. Imam Suyuti mentioned this
in "Sharh al-sudur".
PERFORMING SACRIFICE (HADEETH # 32 - 33)
Hadeeth 32
Reported S. 'A'isha (Allah be well pleased with her): Allah's
Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded that a ram with
black legs, black belly and black (circles) round the eyes should be
brought to him, so that heshould sacrifice it. He said to 'A';isha:
Give me the large knife, and then said: Sharpen it on a stone. She did
that. He then took it (the knife) and then the ram; he placed it on
the ground and then sacrificed it, saying: Bismillah, Allah-humma
Taqabbal min Muhammadin wa Al-i-Muhammadin, wa min Ummati Muhammadin
(In the name of Allah," O Allah, accept on behalf of Muhammad and the
family of Muhammad and the Umma of Muhammad") . (Muslim)
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) slaughtered 100
sheep during his farewell Hajj and made intention for himself and all
those (alive, deceased and to come) who bring faith on his Holy
Prophethood. (Nasbur Raaya, Allama Zailee)
The evidence here is that the Holy Prophet sacrificed animals and
donated its reward to his entire Ummah -; which includes both the
living and the dead - i.e. all those who existed in his time and to
all those who were to come after him, until the last day.
Hadeeth 33
Hazrat Hanash (Allah be well pleased with him) said: I saw Ali (Allah
be well pleased with him) sacrificing two rams; so I asked him: What
is this Hereplied. The Apostle of Allah enjoined upon me to sacrifice
on his behalf, so that is what I am doing. (Abu Daud)
Whilst most Muslims do offer sacrifice for themselves, their
relatives(alive and deceased) etc. they should also remember the above
Hadeeth, and offer a sacrifice on behalf of the Holy Prophet (peace
and blessings be upon him). May Allah grant us Tawfeeq - Aameen.
GATHERING FOR QUR'AN RECITATION & ZIKR (HADEETH # 34 - 36) :->

5d] Conveying Rewards to the Deceased (Isaale Sawaab)

He said, "Is he in debt" The people replied in the negative. Hesaid,
"Has he left any wealth" They said, "No" So, he led his funeral
prayer. Another dead manwas brought and the people said, "O Allah's
Apostle! Lead his funeral prayer." The Holy Prophet said, "Is he in
debt" They said, "Yes." He said, "Has he left any wealth" They said,
''Three Dinars." So, heled the prayer. Then a third dead man was
brought and the people said (to the Holy Prophet),Please lead his
funeral prayer." He said, "Has he left any wealth" They said, "No." He
asked, "Is he in debt" They said, ("Yes! He has to pay) three
Diners.', He (refused to pray and) said, "Then pray for your (dead)
companion." Abu Qatadah said, "O Allah's Apostle! Lead his funeral
prayer, and I will pay his debt." So, he led the prayer. (Bukhari)
FASTING (HADEETH # 21 - 24)
Hadeeth 21
Ibn Abbas (Allah be well pleased with him) reports that a woman
traveled in a boat and pledged that should Allah save her life, she
would fast for a month. She was saved butshe did not fast before she
died. Her daughter or her sister asked the Holy Prophet about that and
heordered her to fast on behalf of the deceased woman. (Abu-Daud,
Nasai,Ahmad and others).
Hadeeth 22
"A woman came to the Holy Prophet (May Allah bless him and give him
peace) and said, 'I have given charity on behalf of my dead mother by
giving away her female servant.' The Holy Prophetanswered, 'You will
have its reward [and so will she] but return the femaleservant so that
the inheritance [may be properly divided].' The woman then said, 'She
used to owe fasts, can I fast on her behalf' He answered, 'You may
fast on her behalf. ' The woman then said, 'She didnot perform Hajj,
can I perform on her behalf' The Holy Prophet answered, 'Yes. You may
perform Hajj on her behalf. " (Tirmizi)
Hadeeth 23
Narrated `Aisha (Allah be well pleased with her): Allah's Apostle
said,"Whoever died and he ought to have fasted (the missed days of
Ramadan) then his guardians must fast on his behalf. " (Bukhari)
Hadeeth 24
Narrated Ibn `Abbas (Allahbe well pleased with him): A man came to the
Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said, "O Allah's
Apostle! My mother died and she ought to have fasted one month (for
her missed Ramadan). Shall I fast on her behalf" The Holy Prophet
replied in the affirmative and said,"Allah's debts have more right to
be paid." In another narration a woman is reported to have said, "My
sister died..." (Bukhari)
READING OF QUR'AN AND ZIKR (HADEETH # 25 - 30)
Hadeeth 25
Narrated Abdullah Bin Umar (Allah be well pleased with him) that our
beloved Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has said, "that
if anyone dies amongst you then do not keep it, send it towards the
Kabr, and after burying it, Standbefore its head side and recite the
first Ruku of"Surah Bakarah", i.e. from Alif Laam Meem Zaalikal Kitaab
to Humul Muflihoon; and recite by it's feet side the last Ruku of
"Surah Bakarah", i.e. From Aamanar rasoolu tillthe end of the Surah,
Fansurna alal qumil kaafireen. (Mishkaat).
Hadeeth 26
The Holy Prophet said: "Recite Ya Seen [Qur'an 36] over your dead."
(Abu Daud, Nasai, Ibn Majah)
Hadeeth 27
Ata' ibn Abi Rabah (Allah be well pleased with him)said: I heard Ibn
`Umar (Allah be well pleased with him) say: I heard the Holy Prophet
say: "When one of you dies do not tarry, but make haste and take him
to his grave, and let someone read at his head the opening of Surah
Baqarah, and at his feet its closure when he lies in the grave."
(Tabarani)
Hadeeth 28
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "What is
credited to a believer of his action and good deed after his death is
any useful knowledge he might have taught or spread, a Allah-fearing
child he might have left behind, a copy of the Qur'an he might have
left to an heir , a mosque he might have built, a house he might have
dedicated for use by travelers, a stream or river he might have caused
to run, a donation to charity (i.e. sadaqah) he might have set aside
when he was enjoying good health. All that catches up with him after
his death." (Ibn Majah).
The underlined words "a copy of the Qur'an he might have left to an
heir" are an ample proof that when the heir will read from it, the
reward will be passed on to the deceased.!!!
Hadeeth 29
Jaber reported: We came out with the Holy Prophet(peace and blessings
be upon him) to Saa'd bin Muaz when he expired. When the Holy Prophet
performed his funeral prayer, and he was buriedin his grave and the
earth was levelled upon him, the Holy Prophet read"Tasbeeh" and we
also recited "Tasbeeh" for a long time. Then he recited"Takbeer", so
we too recited "Takbeer". It was asked ";O the Messenger of Allah! Why
have you recited "Tasbeeh" and"Takbeer" He said, :->

5c] Conveying Rewards to the Deceased (Isaale Sawaab)

5c]
Hadeeth 12
"A woman came to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
and said, ' I have given charity on behalf of my dead mother by giving
away her female servant.' The Holy Prophet answered, 'You will have
its reward [and so will she] but return the femaleservant so that the
inheritance [may be properly divided].' The woman then said, 'She used
to owe fasts, can I fast on her behalf' He answered, 'You may fast on
her behalf.' The woman then said, 'She didnot perform Hajj, can I
perform on her behalf' The Holy Prophet answered, 'Yes. You may
perform Hajj on her behalf. " (Tirmizi)
Hadeeth 13
A woman from the tribe of Juhaina came to the Holy Prophet and
said,"My mother had vowed toperform Hajj but she died before
performing it. May I perform Hajj on my mother's behalf" The
HolyProphet replied, "Perform Hajj on her behalf . Had there been a
debt on yourmother, would you have paid it or not So, pay Allah's debt
as He has more right to be paid." (Bukhari)
GIVING OF CHARITY / SADAQAH (HADEETH # 14 -18)
Hadeeth 14
Abu Huraira (Allah be wellpleased with him) reported that a person
said to Allah's Apostle (peace and blessings be upon him): My father
diedand left behind property without making any will regarding it.
Would he be relieved of the burden of his sin if I give sadaqah onhis
behalf He (the Holy Prophet) said: Yes. (Muslim)
Hadeeth 15
Syeda A'isha (Allah be wellpleased with her) reported that a man said
to Allah's Apostle (peace and blessings be upon him): My mother died
all of a sudden, and I think if she (could have the opportunity) to
speak she would have (made a will) regarding Sadaqah'. Will I be
entitled to reward if I give charity on her behalf He (the Holy
Prophet) said: "Yes" . (Muslim)
Hadeeth 16
Anas b. Malik (Allah be well pleased with him) is reported as saying:
Abu Talha was the one amongthe Ansar of Medina who possessed the
largest property and among his property he valued most was his garden
known as Bairaha' which was opposite the mosque, andthe Messenger of
Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) often visited it and he drank
of its sweet water. When this verse was revealed:" You will never
attain righteousness till you givefreely of what you Have" (iii. 91),
Abu Talha got up and, going to Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings
be upon him), said: Allah says in His Book:" You will never attain
righteousness till you give freely of what you love," and the
dearestof my property is Bairaha' so I give it as Sadaqah to Allah
from Whom I hope for reward for it and the treasure with Allah; so
spend it, Messenger of Allah, on whatever purpose you deem it proper.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessingsbe upon him) said: Bravo!
That is profit earning property. I have heard what you have said, but
I think you should spend it on your nearest relatives. So Abu Talha
distributed itamong the nearest relatives and his cousins on his
father's side. (Muslim, Bukhari). It is saidthat Abu Talha donated it
on behalf of his mother.
Hadeeth 17
Narrated Sa'd ibn Ubadah (Allah be well pleased with him): Sa'd asked:
Apostle of Allah, Umm Sa'd has died; what form of sadaqah is best He
replied: Water (is best). Hedug a well and said: It is for Umm Sa'd.
(Abu Daud, Mishkaat)
Hadeeth 18
Narrated Ibn `Abbas (Allahbe well pleased with him): The mother of
Sa`d bin 'Ubada died in his absence. He said, "O Allah's Apostle! My
mother died in my absence; will it be of any benefit for her if I give
Sadaqah on her behalf" The Prophet said, "Yes," Sa`d said, "I make you
a witness that I gave my garden called Al Makhraf in charity on her
behalf." (Bukhari)
SETTLING OF DEBTS. (HADEETH # 19 - 20)
It is unanimously agreed by scholars that if a person dies without
settling an outstanding debt, leaving no money tosettle it, anyone
(whether related to him or not) could pay it on his behalf, and the
deceased would be absolved of the burden. The benefit from a living
person to the deceased is very apparent.If the case is such and the
deceased person may benefit by a financial payment, why should he not
benefit by a gift madeof the reward for a good action
Hadeeth 19
Narrated Abu Huraira (Allah be well pleased with him): The Holy
Prophet said, "I am more closer to the believers than their own
selves, so whoever (of them) dies while being in debt and leaves
nothing for its repayment, then we are to pay his debts on his behalf
and whoever (among the believers) dies leaving some property, then
that property is for his heirs." (Bukhari)
Hadeeth 20
Narrated Salama bin Al-Akwa (Allah be well pleased with him) : Once,
while we were sitting in the company of Holy Prophet, a dead man was
brought. The Holy Prophet was requested tolead the funeral prayer
forthe deceased. He said, "Is he in debt" The people replied in the
negative. :->

5b] Conveying Rewards to the Deceased (Isaale Sawaab)

5b]
admit him into heaven. The funeral prayer is Fard Kifayah for the
living Muslim brothers i.e. if just one person offers it, the entire
community is absolved of this duty. But see the importance attached to
the more and more people joining the prayer. And the benefit reaching
the deceased person is obvious.
Hadeeth 5
Syeda 'A'isha (Allah be well pleased with her) reported Allah's
Apostle (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: If a company of
Muslims numbering one hundred pray over a dead person, all of them
interceding forhim, their intercession for him will be accepted.
(Muslim)
Hadeeth 6 'Abdullah b. 'Abbas (Allah be well pleased with him)reported
that his son diedin Qudaid or 'Usfan. He said to Kuraib to see as to
how many people had gathered there for his (funeral). He (Kuraib)
said: So I went out and I informed him about the people who had
gatheredthere. He (Ibn 'Abbas) said: Do you think they are forty He
(Kuraib) said: Yes. Ibn 'Abbas then said to them: Bring him (the dead
body) out for I have heard Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be
upon him) as saying: If any Muslim dies and forty men who associate
nothing with Allah stand over his prayer (they offerprayer over him),
Allah will accept them as intercessors for him. (Muslim)
Hadeeth 7
Narrated Syedna Uthman ibn Affan (Allah be well pleased with him):
Whenever the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) became
free from buryingthe dead, he used to stay at him (i.e. his grave) and
say: "Seek forgiveness for your brother, and beg steadfastness for
him, for he will be questioned now" . (Abu Daud)
Hadeeth 8
It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that a
dark-complexionedwoman (or a youth) used to sweep the mosque.
TheMessenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) missed her (or
him) and inquired about her (or him). The people told him that she (or
he) had died. He asked why they did not inform him, and it appears as
if they had treated her (or him) or her(or his) affairs as of little
account. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Lead me to her (or his) grave.
They led him to that place and he said prayer over her (or him) and
then remarked: Verily, these graves are full of darknessfor their
dwellers. Verily, the Mighty and Glorious Allah illuminates them
fortheir occupants by reason of my prayer over them. (Muslim, Bukhari,
Mishkaat)
Hadeeth 9
Reported S. Jaber (Allah bewell pleased with him): We came out with
the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to Saa'd bin Muaz
when he expired. When the Holy Prophet performed his funeral prayer,
and he was buried in his grave and the earth was levelled upon him,
the Holy Prophet read"Tasbeeh" and we also recited "Tasbeeh" for a
long time. Then he recited"Takbeer", so we too recited "Takbeer". It
was asked ";O the Messenger of Allah! Why have you recited "Tasbeeh"
and"Takbeer" He said, "The grave became too narrowfor this pious man
till Allah made it spacious because of it (the recitation). " (Ahmed,
Mishkaat)
VISITING GRAVEYARDS. (HADEETH # 10 - 11)
Hadeeth 10
Sulaiman b. Buraida (Allahbe well pleased with him)narrated on the
authority of his father that the Messenger of Allah (peace and
blessings be upon him) used to teach them when they went out to the
graveyard. One of the narrators used to say this in the narration
transmitted on the authority of Abu Bakr:" Peace be upon the
inhabitants of the city (i. e. graveyard)." In the hadeeth transmitted
by Zuhair (the words are):" Peace be upon you, the inhabitants of the
city, among the believers, and Muslims, and Allah willing we shall
join you. I beg of Allah peace for us and for you. " (Muslim)
Hadeeth 11
Narrated Abu Huraira (Allah be well pleased with him): The Holy
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)said while standing near the
graves of the martyrs of Uhud, "I bear witness that you are alive in
the sight of Allah." Thenturning towards those present he said, "So
visit them, and greet them - I swear by the One in whose power lies my
life, they will answer back to whoever greets them until the Last
Day." (Hakim, Baihaqi)
There are numerous Ahadeeth about supplications to be made when
visiting the graveyard - the benefit of which to one';s self and tothe
deceased, it quite evident.
Also note that there are several other Ahadeeth that teach us to pray,
and the prayer includes all Muslim brothers & sisters (living, passed
away or yet to be borne).
PERFORMING HAJJ (HADEETH # 12 - 13)
Ahadeeth in support of offering the pilgrimage onbehalf of a deceased
person or one who is unable to undertake the journey are numerous.
Also note that performingHajj includes Umrah, Tawaf of the Ka'ba, and
also Salaat (after Tawaf) - all these are credited to the deceased.
Hadeeth 12 :->