Dedication To The Dead

Text and Translation

Al-Kaf'ami has recorded this prayer in the same aforementioned method, adding that he saw in some books of our master scholars that in the first unit of this prayer, [Surah al-Fatihah](A5) and [Ayat al-Kursi](A4) are recited once and [Surah al-Tawheed](A116) twice.

The following is quoted from the book Zad al-Ma'ad by 'Allamah al-Majlisi, may Allah have mercy upon him:

It is highly advisable not to neglect mentioning the dead, because they are now too short [of time] to do any righteous or charitable deed. They therefore hope that their sons, relatives, and brethren-in-faith will do charitable acts on their behalf or pray for them, especially at the nocturnal prayers. An individual is required to pray for his parents in the post-prayer supplicatory utterances and when visiting the holy shrines, and to do charitable and righteous acts on their behalf.

A tradition holds that an individual who was impious to his parents can be recorded as pious to them after their death when he does charitable and righteous acts on their behalf, while an individual who was pious to his parents in their lifetime may be decided as impious to them after their death, because he disregards doing any charitable or righteous act on their behalf. The best charitable favor done to one's parents or relatives is to settle their debts and release them from any liability towards Almighty Allah or towards other people. Hence, one may do his best to go on pilgrimage (Hajj) on behalf of the dead, or make up for the obligatory acts of worship that they missed, either voluntarily or by employing someone for a wage to do that.

In this respect, an authentic tradition holds that Imam al-Sadiq (a) used to offer a two-unit prayer each night on behalf of his son, and another two-unit prayer each day on behalf of his parents. In the first unit he used to recite Surah al-Fatihah and [Surah al-Qadr](A101), and in the second, Surah al-Fatihah and [Surah al-Kawthar](A112) (no. 108).

Another authentic tradition holds that Imam al-Sadiq (a) said, "It happens that the tight grave of a dead person is expanded for him; he is then informed that this expansion has been made due to the prayer of your brother-in-faith, so-and-so, for you."

The reporter asked, "Is it permissible to dedicate a two-unit prayer to two dead persons?"

The Imam (a) answered, "Yes, it is; indeed, a dead person takes pleasure in the prayers and forgiveness-seeking implorations dedicated to him, just as a living person feels happy when a present is gifted to him. The reward of such an act is recorded for both the dead and the one dedicating it."

According to another tradition, Imam al-Sadiq (a) said, "Prayers, fasting, going on Hajj, almsgiving, charitable acts, and supplications — these things reach the dead in his grave."

According to another tradition, Imam al-Sadiq (a) said, "Any Muslim who does a righteous act on behalf of a dead person, Almighty Allah will double his reward and make his act beneficial for the dead."

Other traditions hold that when one gives something as alms on behalf of a dead person, Almighty Allah will order Archangel Gabriel to lead seventy thousand angels to the grave of that dead person, each angel carrying a saucer and saying to the dead, "Peace be upon you, O Allah's intimate servant; this is the gift of so-and-so, the faithful, to you." The grave of that dead person will then glitter. Moreover, Almighty Allah will give him one thousand cities in Paradise, one thousand paradisiacal spouses in marriage, one thousand garments to wear, and will grant him one thousand of his requests.