How is the thawab of the Quran, al-Fatiha and al-Ikhlas that are read sent to the dead as a gift?
- That is, should I say, "I send the thawab of the chapters that I have read to the spirits of the dead as a gift” or should I list the names one by one by saying, “I send the the thawab of the chapters that I have read to the spirit of my grandfather or my father”?
Dear Brother / Sister,
You can say, "I send the thawab of the chapters that have been read as a gift." It is more virtuous to say the names one by one. However, it is appropriate if you say "to all believers" in general.
The following is stated in a hadith that Hz. Abu Bakr narrated:
"If a person visits the grave of his father and mother or one of them on Friday and reads the chapter of Yasin there, Allah will forgive the person in the grave."1
Islamic scholars advise saying a prayer to send the thawab of the Quran to the spirits of the dead after reading the Quran for the dead; the Companions acted like that. It is stated in a narration in Bayhaqi that Abdullah bin Umar says verses from the chapter of al-Baqara can be read for the spirits of the dead. 2
Let us learn how al-Fatiha or Yasin that is read for the dead reaches the spirits of all dead people without any decrease from a quote from Badiuzzaman Said Nursi:
"The Wise Creator made the element of air a field and means for the words to spread like lightning and to increase and He enabled the adhan called in a minaret to be heard everywhere and by everybody through radio; similarly, He prepared a lot of spiritual electricity, radios and natural wireless telephones in order to send the chapter of al-Fatiha that is read to the dead believers at once with His endless power and limitless wisdom."
"When a light bulb is lit, it becomes a separate lamp for each of the mirrors placed opposite it. Similarly, when the chapter of Yasin is read and it is sent as a gift to millions of spirits, a full Yasin is sent to each one."3
Footnotes:
1. Ibn Majah Translation, IV/274.
2. Bayhaqi, IV/56.
3. Şualar, p. 576.
Questions on Islam
- Can the reward of a good deed and the thawab that will be gained from that good deed be donated to another living person or someone who died?
- My mother died of cancer three and a half months ago. Will the book of deeds of my mother remain open if I read the Quran for her?
- Why do we read the chapter of al-Fatiha for the spirits of our dead people?
- What are the benefits of visiting graves? Do the dead people see those who come to their graves?
- Can we send the thawab of reading a khatm al-Quran to different people?
- Can we read Yasin for the spirits of those who are alive?
- What chapters are more virtuous to read for the spirit of a dead person?
- Is it permissible to read the Quran next to graves?
- Is it definitely necessary to read the chapter of al-Fatiha after someone utters "al-Fatiha"? When al-Fatiha is uttered after a prayer (dua), some people read other things. What should be read exactly?
- Is it a sin to neglect daily dhikr? What does dhikr mean? Does the thawab of the prayer that is said decrease when it is sent to many people?

