Isale Sawab is a term in Islam that means doing good deeds on behalf of someone who has passed away. When we perform acts of kindness, like reciting the Quran or giving to charity, and dedicate the rewards to a person who has died, it is called Isale Sawab.
The belief is that these good deeds can benefit the soul of the deceased and bring blessings to them in the afterlife or Barzakh (Read souls Journey after death). It’s a way for us to show love and care for our loved ones even after they are no longer with us.
The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) conveyed, “Those who have passed away eagerly anticipate receiving Isale Sawab from their parents, sisters, brothers, and other relatives or associates, much like a person drowning in a river pleads for help to be rescued.”
(Mishkaat: 206)
Isale sawab meaning
Isale Sawab is a practice in Islam where we do good deeds and dedicate the rewards to someone who has passed away. By doing things like reciting the Quran or helping others and sharing the blessings, we believe it brings benefits and blessings to the soul of the person who is no longer with us. It’s a way to show love and care for them even after they have left this world.
Dua for Isale sawab
Dua After Someone’s Death
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ ، وَارْفَعْ دَرَجَتَهُ فِي الْمَهْدِيِّينَ ، وَاخْلُفْهُ فِي عَقِبِهِ فِي الْغَابِرِينَ ، وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلَهُ يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ ، وَافْسَحْ لَهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ ، وَنَوِّرْ لَهُ فِيهِ
Transliteration: Allāhumma-ghfir lah, wa-rfaʿ darajatahū fi-l-mahdiyyīn, wa-khlufhu fi ʿaqibihi fi-l-ghābirīn, wa-ghfir lanā wa lahū yā Rabba-l-ʿālamīn, wa-fsaḥ lahū fi qabrih, wa nawwir lahū fīh.
English Translation: O Allah, forgive him, raise his rank among those who are guided, and take care of those he leaves behind him. Forgive us and him, O Lord of the worlds; expand his grave for him and illuminate it for him.
Best Dua’s for Isale Sawab
| Dua for Isale sawab | |
|---|---|
| Dua for visiting the Grave | Click to read |
| Dua for parents | Click to read |
| Dua for patience | Click to read |
| Tasbeeh for forgiveness | Click to read |
| Dua for forgiveness | Click to read |
- Isale sawab meaning
- Dua for Isale sawab
- True story of Alam- Barzakh
- Isale sawab in quran
- Prophet Isa and His visit to the Graveyard
- Isale Sawab a practice from holy Prophet's time
- The reality of Isale Sawab
- Blessings in the Graves
- Benefits of Isale Sawab
- Do the dead listen?
- Isale Sawab and Collective recitation of Quran
- Conclusion
True story of Alam- Barzakh
This is a true story and can be found in a fantastic book of Islamic scholar Noorus Sudoor if Sharhil Quboor – by Allama Jalaluddin Suyuti: Once upon a time, there was a wise man named Hadrat Hammad.
One night, he went to visit a graveyard in Makkah. Feeling tired, he rested his head on a grave and fell asleep. In his dream, he saw the people who had passed away gathered in different groups.
Curious, Hadrat Hammad asked if the Day of Resurrection had begun. The people in the dream said no and shared that one of their brothers had recited Sura Ikhlass. This special recitation sent its blessings to them, and they were spending a whole year together, sharing the rewards among themselves.
Isale sawab in quran
Allah is most merciful, and Islam is the complete religion without any fault, and that is one of the qualities of our lord the Almighty, where everyone will be held accountable on the day of Judgement. That is why the grace of the Almighty will also reward those who pray for the forgiveness of their loved ones.
This shows how important it is to pray for them so they can be forgiven and saved from punishment for their mistakes. Saying these Dua’s brings a lot of benefits and relief. Here are a few verses that talk about this.
And be humble with them out of mercy, and pray, “My Lord! Be merciful to them as they raised me when I was young.”
Surah Al-Isra verse 24
Prophet Isa and His visit to the Graveyard
A story from Tafseer-e-Razi tells us about a special moment. In Surah Al-Fatiha, verse 6, where we say, “Guide us along the Straight Path,” it’s mentioned that Prophet Isa عليه السلام (Jesus) once walked by a grave. He noticed that the person in the grave was facing some punishment.
But, when Prophet Isa (عليه السلام) visited the same grave later, he saw something different. The person in the grave had been relieved of his troubles in the Alam-e-Barzakh.
Prophet Isa (عليه السلام) witnessed a change in the punishment of a person in the grave. Astonished, Prophet Isa asked Allah about the reason for this change.
Allah revealed that a son born to the person after his death had started learning about Allah’s kindness during the first day of attending a Madrisa.
In His great mercy, Allah decided to change the punishment because the person’s son was reciting that Allah is most gracious and merciful. In Arabic, we say بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ “In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”
Isale Sawab a practice from holy Prophet’s time
Muslims around the world, since the time of the Holy Prophet, have always been practicing Isale Sawab, which brings great benefits to those who have passed away and provides comfort to their souls.
Islam teaches us a gracious code, and if we instill in our children the habit of regularly saying Salaat, they will pray, “O my Allah, forgive me and forgive my parents” in every Salaat. This way, Isale Sawab and prayers for our loved ones will be repeated often.
Allamah Ibne Taimiyya emphasizes that the belief that each person only receives rewards for their own deeds and doesn’t benefit from the good deeds of others is not correct and goes against the practice of the entire Ummah.
The reality of Isale Sawab
Understanding the reality of Isale Sawab involves three important points:
- The act of Isale Sawab should be virtuous and in accordance with Islamic teachings, seeking reward from Allah. Performing deeds not in line with Sharia and Sunnah can lead to sinfulness and bring no benefit to anyone.
- Isale Sawab can be practiced for both the living and the deceased. For instance, the reward of performing a two-rakat Nafl prayer can be conveyed to parents, relatives, and others, whether they are alive or have passed away (Fatawa Shami).
- The intention for Isale Sawab, whether for oneself or any other person, whether living or deceased, can be made before or after performing a good deed. This involves sincerely requesting Allah’s gracious acceptance of the good deed on behalf of the intended person.
Blessings in the Graves
Hadrat Anas, reporting what he himself heard from the Prophet, mentions that if the people living in the house of a deceased person perform acts of charity on his behalf, Hadrat Jibraeel holds the rewards in a tray over the grave. He then encourages the deceased to gather these rewards sent by his family members.
Upon receiving this gift of rewards, the departed soul becomes exceedingly happy and relieved in the grave, while those nearby may feel sadness for not receiving such a reward (Tafseer-e-Mazharee).
Benefits of Isale Sawab
Going to a graveyard and praying for the departed, known as Isale Sawab, has many advantages. When you visit a graveyard, it reminds you that life is temporary.
This realization leads to sincere prayers for those who have passed away, creating a connection between you and the deceased. This connection is not only for the most pious individuals but applies to all regular Muslims.
Do the dead listen?
In our faith, it is unanimously believed that revered Prophets can hear in their graves, and this belief is certified by Kitab-o-Sunnat. The entire Muslim community agrees with this belief.
However, the belief in the listening capability of other deceased individuals has been a matter of debate since the time of the Prophet Muhammad. Nevertheless, the majority holds that other deceased individuals can also listen when Allah ordains.
According to the Akhamul Quran by Ulama-thaniwi, those who have departed from this world are alive in their graves and can hear our recitations and supplications.
Regarding whether the deceased can see, it is affirmed that those in the graves can see and recognize those who visit them, responding to their greetings (salaam).
One such Hadith narrated by Hadrat Abu Huraira and Hadrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas mentions that when someone visits the grave of a Muslim brother and says Assalaam-o-Alaikum, the deceased recognizes the visitor and reciprocates the greetings with affection, even if the dead doesn’t recognize the visitor, they still return the salaam.
Isale Sawab and Collective recitation of Quran
Collective Recitation of the Holy Qur’an for Easal-e-Sawab: The majority believes that the reward of reciting the Holy Qur’an is received by all the deceased. However, engaging in collective recitation for Easal-e-Sawab is permissible only under specific conditions:
- It should not be obligatory, and there shouldn’t be an obligation to join.
- There should be no fear of weakening one’s faith due to this collective act.
- Those participating should do so sincerely to earn the goodwill of Allah.
- People who choose not to participate should not be criticized.
- The recitation should be done correctly and without haste.
- No monetary compensation should be accepted for recitation; otherwise, no spiritual reward will be earned.
- Recitation should not be done for show or display.
In summary, collective Qur’an Khan is allowed only under the mentioned conditions; otherwise, it is not permissible and is considered an innovation.
Conclusion
A Muslim, regardless of their sins, does receive rewards. Even if a Muslim is very sinful, Isale Sawab reaches them, and Allah elevates their status. However, Isale Sawab is of no benefit for a disbeliever (see Key Masail 2253).
No specific item is necessary for Isale Sawab. It can be in the form of cash or any other kind, and it should be given to deserving men or women to earn rewards. Giving charity to a pious and religious person for better rewards is better.
Additionally, each person can earn perpetual rewards for themselves by performing good deeds, such as building a mosque or a school. Such acts are not only permissible but advisable for collecting a treasure of rewards for the Hereafter (see Aapke Masayel or Unka Hal 240/2).
