Question Summary:
Isaal-e-Thawaab

Question Detail:

As-salamu aleikum! Can you please clarify question about nafil sadaka: is it true that if i give sadaka and want to give reward from it to my parents, they will inshaAllah receive sawab and i will receive sawab as well? Does this apply to wife/kids/blood brother?
 
If it is true, is there any reason to give nafil sadaka only from my name or it is better always give it with niyat to give reward for parents/others (so both of us will receive sawab)?

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Isaal-e-Thawaab is to perform a virtuous act and grant the reward to any person, alive or deceased. Isaal-e-Thawaab is (Mustahab) meritorious. [1]
One may include himself and as many people as possible in his reward of the virtues act without his reward been decreased. Each person will get the complete reward of the virtuous act.
It is stated in a Hadeeth:
أَنَّ سَعْدَ بْنَ عُبَادَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ تُوُفِّيَتْ أُمُّهُ وَهُوَ غَائِبٌ عَنْهَا، فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أُمِّي تُوُفِّيَتْ وَأَنَا غَائِبٌ عَنْهَا، أَيَنْفَعُهَا شَيْءٌ إِنْ تَصَدَّقْتُ بِهِ عَنْهَا؟ قَالَ: «نَعَمْ»، قَالَ: فَإِنِّي أُشْهِدُكَ أَنَّ حَائِطِيَ المِخْرَافَ صَدَقَةٌ عَلَيْهَا 
Translation:
The mother of Sa`d bin 'Ubada died in his absence. He said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! My mother died in my absence; will it be of any benefit for her if I give Sadaqa on her behalf?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Yes," Sa`d said, "I make you a witness that I gave my garden called Al Makhraf in charity on her behalf.
                                 (Saheeh Bukhari, Vol 4, Pg 7, Kitaabul-Wasayaa,)
 
It is stated in another Hadeeth:
‏
عن أبي هريرة، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: " إذا مات الإنسان انقطع عنه عمله إلا من ثلاثة:
 إلا من صدقة جارية، أو علم ينتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو له
Translation: ‏
Nabi Sallallahu Alai Wasalam said: When a believer passes away, his deeds come to an end, except for three things.
(1)  Sadaqah Jaariyah (continuous charity) (2) Knowledge through which people continue to benefit. (3) A virtuous descendant who supplicates for the deceased.
                             (Saheeh Muslim, Vol 3, Pg 1255, Kitabul-Ilm)
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
 
Muhammad IV Patel
Student Darul Iftaa
Lusaka, Zambia
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.