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Ruling of Continuous Reward (Esaale Sawab)

Allamah Ghulam Rasul Saidi
Translated by Muneer ul Hassan Rabbani Al-Azhari

According to Hanafi Jurists
To give charity on behalf of the deceased is permissible and the deceased benefits from it.
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Allamah ibn Nujaym says,
According to us a person can send the reward of his actions to another person regardless if its
reciting the Quran or doing Umrah etc. This is proven by the book (Quran) and Sunnah.
Regarding the tradition,
` -- -= .= = - ` '-- -= .= -=
A person cannot fast on the behalf of another nor pray.
This is in regards to the action for whom its done, the nature of it being compulsory wont be
dropped from the responsibility of a person. This doesnt negate Esaale Sawab as an action done
on behalf of someone, according to Ahle Sunnah the reward will reach him. Likewise this has
been mentioned in Badai us-Sanai
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Imam Abdul Ghani An-Nabulsi has also echoed the opinion of Allama ibn Nujaym.
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Imam Tahawi writes,
It is permissible according to the Ahle Sunnah that a person sends the reward of his action to
another person regardless him being dead or alive as Imam Tabrani narrates a tradition from Ibn
Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) which is also recorded in Imam Baihaqis collection that
the holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, when one of you gives voluntary
charity, he should do it on behalf of his parents, as his parents will receive the reward and there
will be no deduction in his reward.
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According to Shafi Jurists

Imam Nawawi writes, There is an Ijmaa (consensus of scholars) upon this issue that the reward
reaches and benefits the deceased and the one who does the action is also rewarded.
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1
Aini, Umdatul Qari, Volume 8, Page 222
2
Ibn Nujaym, Al-Bahur Raiq, Volume 3,Page 63-64
3
Nabulsi, Al-Hadiqatu Naddiya, Volume 2, Page742
4
Tahawi, Hashiya Tuhawi Ala Maraqi Al-fallah, page276
5
Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim, Volume 2, Page 41


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According to Maliki Jurists
Allama Abu Abdullah Washtani Al-Maliki says, Muslims have a consensus that the reward of an
action reaches the deceased and these traditions (on the virtue of Esaale Sawab) specify the
generality of the verse,
- ' - ' ' . -- '' ' .- '
That man can have nothing but what he strives for
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Does the reward reach the deceased of he who is paid to read the Quran? Our Shaykh Abu
Abdullah says both are rewarded and by taking money in exchange for reading the Quran
doesnt make the reward void. This is like a person who takes a settled payment for leading the
people in prayer. The reward of reading in congregation is attained both by the Imam and the
follower despite the Imam taking money in return and he taking money doesnt make the
congregation void.
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According to Hanbali Jurists

Shaykh Abul Abbas Ahmad bin Taymiyyah Hanbali writes, According to the authentic
established sayings of The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) any action done on behalf
of the deceased, he benefits from them and the scholars agree that (even) freeing a slave and
performing hajj (the reward reaches the deceased). Imam Bukhari and Muslim narrate a
tradition, If a person dies and he has missed fasts then the guardian should complete them (by
giving Recompense). As for the verse
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, it does not contradict mentioned texts and this is due to
two reasons;

1) The texts (Quran and Sunnah) are clear and the consensus of scholars proves that a
Muslim receives rewards through other means which arent achieved by his endeavours,
e.g. Angels seeking forgiveness for Muslims, the Quran states;
' = . - ' ' -= - .- - ' .- - ' ' - -- - - - - - - -- = - = - - -
' = -= - . ~ - - ' - - - - - = + = '- - - - - -' - .- - ' ' -= ' -
- = ='
Those who sustain the Throne (of Allah) and those around it sing Glory and Praise to their Lord;
believe in Him; and implore forgiveness for those who believe: "Our Lord! Thy reach is over all
things in Mercy, and Knowledge. Forgive, then, those who turn in repentance, and follow Thy
Path: and preserve them from the Penalty of the Blazing Fire!
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Likewise the Prophets (upon them be peace) seek forgiveness for their followers. The Quran
states;
+- ' = . - ' - - - + = - - - + ' - . - - = + ' . - = - ' - - ' = - - - ''

6
Quran, Surah Najm (53), Verse 39
7
Washtani, Ikmaalu Ikmaalil Mulim Sharh Sahih Muslim, Volume 4, Page 342-345
8
Quran, Surah Najm (53), Verse 39
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Quran, Surah Ghafir (40), Verse 7
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Of their wealth take alms, that so thou mightiest purify and sanctify them; and pray on their
behalf. Verily thy prayers are a source of security for them: and Allah is One Who heareth and
knoweth.
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Likewise the believers pray for the deceased in funeral prayer, visit graves and do supplication
(all benefits a person after death).
2) The meaning of the verse mentioned is that a person will be deserved of reward due to
his actions and this is true but doesnt negate him achieving rewards through other
means. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in an authentic tradition says,
When a person prays for a (Muslim) brother, Allah (the almighty) appoints an angel
who says Ameen. Likewise in another authentic tradition the Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) said, Whoever prays the funeral prayer receives the reward of
one Qirat, and if he remains in the procession until the deceased is buried receives the
reward of two Qirat, and the reward of one Qirat is equivalent to the mountain of
Uhud.
Allah (the almighty) also sends mercy upon the deceased by reading funeral prayer over him
and sometimes through the supplication of the deceased those who are reading the funeral
prayer are made as a source of blessing.
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According to the Scholars of Deoband
Shaykh Anwar Shah Kashmiri says, Pay the debt of the deceased, give voluntary charity and
doing voluntary and other acts of good are deemed permissible.
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10
Quran, Surah Tawbah (9), Verse 103
11
Ibn Taymiyyah, Majmu fatawa, Volume 7, Page 500
12
Kashmiri, Faidhul Bari, Volume 3, Page 413