Can I Donate the Reward of a Voluntary Fast to Another Person?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum

In addition to making dua for a loved one when they have a specific need, can I fast for that person with the intention of having his/her need fulfilled? For instance – Can I make an intention like the following: “I intend to fast for my child until his/her exams day”?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

Yes, it is permissible to donate the reward of a voluntary fast to another person, and in this case, your child. You can fast with the intention of fulfilling another’s need as it can be considered a form of supplication (du‘a) for another. Many traditions (ahadith) affirm the permission to donate reward to another.

[Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar ‘ala al-Durr al-Mukhtar; Qari, al-Maslak al-Mutaqassit]

Please also see this answer.

And Allah Most High knows best.

wassalam,
[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Leicester, where he also served as the President of the Islamic Society. He memorised the entire Qur’an in his hometown of Ipswich at the tender age of sixteen, and has since studied the Islamic Sciences in traditional settings in the UK, Jordan and Turkey. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in Jordan, where he is presently based with his family.