Question:
Is it correct to donate reward to Rasūlullāh ﷺ when his status is highly elevated and he is not in need of īṣāl e-thawāb (donating reward)?
Answer:
In some cases the objective of īṣāl e-thawāb (donating reward) is the elevation of status for another person, and sometimes to repay favours which another has conferred upon one. Thus, by donating reward to Rasūlullāh ﷺ, his status is further elevated and gratitude is displayed for the immense favours he has upon us.
ʿAllāmah Ibn ʿAbidīn has stated, “The permission of īṣāl e-thawāb (donating reward) granted by the scholars includes (donating reward to) Rasūlullāh ﷺ; rather, he is more worthy as he saved us from going astray. Hence, donating rewards to him is a form of gratitude and recompense.
As to those who oppose donating reward to Rasūlullāh ﷺ, saying that it is a futile act as he is already awarded all the reward of his followers (due to him being the reason for them being able to do good), can be refuted by the fact that Allāh sends durūd (blessings) upon Rasūlullāh ﷺ. Thereafter, Allāh instructs us to send durūd upon Rasūlullāh ﷺ by instructing us to say, ‘O Allāh, send durūd upon Rasūlullāh ﷺ.’ (So just how durūd is sent upon Rasūlullāh ﷺ, īṣāl e-thawāb (donating reward) can also be done. And Allāh knows best.”
Note: The above is evidence that īṣāl e-thawāb (donating reward) is permissible for children.
(Adapted from Ṣadaqa-e-Jāriyah wa Īṣāl e-Thawāb ke Faḍāil wa Aḥkām by Muftī Muhammad Riḍwan.
Published by Kutub Khāna Idāra Gufrān, Rawalpindi.)
Categories: Memorable Episodes from the Lives of the ʿUlamā of Deoband
