Can I Gift the Reward of My Recitation or Hajj to the Prophet ﷺ?

Answered by Shaykh Muḥammad Carr

Question

I have recently started reading Surah Ya Sin every day for the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace). I sometimes get a feeling that I might be doing something wrong.

Can you please let me know if can we read Quran for him? Can we perform Hajj or ‘Umra for him?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate
I hope you’re doing well, insha’Allah. Thank you for the question.

Firstly, It is permissible to read sura Ya Sin for the Prophet (May Allah grant him peace). This is referred to as ihda al-thawab (gifting of the reward).

Proof for the Above

Ibn Hajar states: “And dua that is habitually done after the recitation of Quran and dedicating the reward thereof to the Prophet (May Allah grant him peace) is permissible as stated by a number of later scholars. It is a good thing (hasan) and recommended (mandub) in contrast to those who have erred in this regard.

The Prophet (May Allah grant him peace) has permitted us to do this by commanding us to ask that he be granted intercession. Every dua made for him that seeks to increase his grandeur gets this ruling. There is nothing in making dua that he be increased in honor, that gives the impression of deficiency notwithstanding those who have erred in this regard as well.

There is a strong proof in the famous hadith of Ubayy ibn Ka‘b: ‘How much of my dua should I dedicate to you?’ that underscores making dua for him after recitation and in other circumstances. [Umdat al-Mufti wa al-Mustafti]

Performing Hajj or ‘Umra for the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace)

According to the mufta bihi (official view) of the Shafi‘i school of thought, it is not permissible to perform a recommended hajj on behalf of another. This applies when the deceased had not made a bequest (wasiyya) to this end. [Mughni al-Muhtaj; Tuhfat al-Muhtaj; Niyahat al-Muhtaj]

It is therefore not valid to perform a hajj or ‘umra for the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).

Closing Remarks

May Allah increase you in love for the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). May you continue with such acts that will draw you closer to him and grant you proximity to him on the Day of Judgement.

All the very best.
[Shaykh] Muhammad Carr
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani