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There is an
Arabic proverb that translates as, 'A bounty is treasured only when it
is lost'. For example, one treasures his health after sickness, light
is only valued in the darkness. However, these bounties are such that
they may still be recovered.
When a person
passes away, the opportunities that he had in his lifetime will never
return. A deceased person cannot utter even a single Tasbeeh.
According to one narration, the deceased is like a drowning person
that is frantically awaiting rescue. He awaits for the du'aas (or any
other good deed) from his parents, brother or friend. Eventually, when
he receives this gift, he cherishes it more than the entire world and
what it contains. (Shu'abul Imaan Hadith7527, 8855; Musnad ibnul
Mubaarak)
It is indeed a
grand favour of Allah that the doors for reward to a deceased person
have not been shut. The channel of Isaal-e-Thawaab (passing on the
reward of some act of virtue) has been spared by Almighty Allah.
According to some Mufassireen (commentators of the Qur'aan), this is
one of the many specialties granted exclusively to this Ummah. (Sharhus
Sudoor) Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم approved and encouraged the
practice of Isaal-e-Thawaab.
In one
narration, Nabi
صلى الله عليه وسلم
said, 'Whenever you
intend giving charity, then do so on behalf of your parents. For its
rewards will surely reach them without your rewards decreasing in the
least bit.' (Shu'abul Imaan Hadith7533). Together with encouraging
Isaal-e-Thawaab, Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم also carried it out
personally. Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم had slaughtered two rams at
the time of Qurbaani. He (r) dedicated one of them to his Ummah
saying, 'O Allah, this one is on behalf of my entire Ummah, all of
whom believes in your oneness and my prophethood.' (Musnad Ahmad
Hadith27068)
Isaal-e-Thawaab can be done in many forms and on behalf of any person,
viz. Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم, one's parents, other family
members, friends and the entire Ummah of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم.
(Shaami vol.2 pg.243, 595) Sayyiduna Ali (r) used to offer a ram
as Qurbaani on behalf of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم annually. (Sunan
Abi Dawud Hadith2783; Mustadrak Haakim vol.4 pg.230-231) Allaamah al-Qurtubi
[ra] has stated 'Just as the reward of charity reaches the deceased,
so does the reward for reciting the Qur'aan, making du'aa and
Istighfaar (seeking forgiveness on their behalf, etc.) reach them.'
(al-Tazkirah pg.71)
Isaal-e-Thawaab is an opportunity to make up for one’s shortcomings
towards the deceased. Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم has informed that
if a person who was disobedient towards his parents (in their
lifetime) continues making du'aa for them after their demise, Allah
Ta'ala records him thereafter among those who were loyal to their
parents. (Shu'abul Imaan Hadith7523). In the same light, the Ulama
have stated that if one had harmed an individual who has since passed
away, one should make du'aa (or offer any other good deed) on his
behalf.
The month of
Ramadhaan is a special month of Ibaadah. People make more Ibaadah in
Ramadhaan than in any other month. Whilst doing so, let us not forget
our (deceased) dear and near ones who do not have the opportunity of
doing any act of virtue. Du'aa is also an act of Ibaadah. Therefore,
the least we can do is remember them in our du'aas at the times of
Sehri, Iftaar, etc. Sufyaan al-Thawri [ra] said, 'The deceased are
more needy for du'aas than food and drink for the living.' (Ahwaalul
Quboor pg.174).
Think! I may
be next in line and I will need somebody to send Thawaab for me as
well.
NB. The
procedure for Isaal-e-Thawaab is that one should ask Allah Ta’ala to
accept that specific deed and convey its rewards to a specific person
living or deceased. This could be done before or after doing that
deed. (Shaami vol.2 pg.243)
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