The Method of Isal al-Thawab (Gifting Reward)

Question

How should isal al-thawab (gifting reward) be made to the dead? Is the mere intention sufficient — that the reward of my reciting the Qur’an, or of voluntary (nafl) prayers, or of giving charity, should reach such-and-such deceased — or is tawassul (seeking means to Allah) through the Messenger of Allah ﷺ also necessary?

Answer

If a good deed — recitation of the Noble Qur’an, voluntary prayers, charity — is done with the intention that Allah Most High convey its reward to so-and-so, that too is sufficient. If it was done without this intention, then afterwards one should make this supplication: “O Allah, convey its reward to so-and-so.” This is how it is written in “Shami”.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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