Rendered into English from “Anwar-ul-Hadith” by Mufti Jalaluddin Amjadi
Imam Abu Dawood (d. 275H) (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Aa’s son of Vayl had made a will to free 100 slaves on his behalf (after his death). His son Hisham freed 50 slaves, his other son wanted to free 50 slaves but said first let me ask the Prophet of Allah (Sallallaho Alihi Wassallam). So he went to the Prophet (Sallallaho Alihi Wassallam) and asked, “Ya Rasool Allah! (Oh Prophet of Allah!) (Sallallaho Alihi Wassallam) my father had made a will to free 100 slaves and my brother has freed 50 shall I free the other 50” Prophet (Sallallaho Alihi Wassallam) replied, If he (Aa’s bin Vayl) had been Muslim then if you would free them or do charity or perform pilgrimage it would reach him.
Imam Abu Dawood (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrate that Saad son of Ubaddah (may Allah be pleased with him) went on holy wars (gazwaa’t) with the Prophet (Sallallaho Alihi Wassallam) and when he returned to Madina his mother had passed away. He (Saad) asked the Prophet of Allah (Sallallaho Alihi Wassallam), ‘Umm e Saad’ meaning my mother has died which charity [sadqa] is better for her. Prophet (Sallallaho Alihi Wassallam) replied, “Water!” Saad (may Allah be pleased with him) dug a well and said this well is Saad’s mother (that is, may its reward go to Saad’s mother). (Mishkat)
Imam Muslim (d. 261H) narrates from Ayesha (may Allah be well pleased with her) said one man came and said “Ya Rasool Allah! (Oh Prophet of Allah!) (Sallallaho Alihi Wassallam) my mother has suddenly passed away and she has made no will. I suppose if she would have got a chance to talk she would have given charity (sadqa) so if I give charity on her behalf would its reward get to her sprit (Ruh) The Prophet (Sallallaho Alihi Wassallam) replied, Yes it will reach her! Imam Nawawi (d. 676) in his explanation of Muslim (Sharh Muslim) says this means this narration (hadith) proves that if charity is given for the dead body its reward gets to the dead. Scholars have consensus on this.
Imam Nassai (d. 303) narrates from Son of Abbass (may Allah be well pleased with him) said one woman asked the Prophet (Sallallaho Alihi Wassallam), my father has passed away and he did not perform pilgrimage (hajj). Prophet (Sallallaho Alihi Wassallam) replied perform pilgrimage from your father (i.e., on his behalf).
Imam Tibrani (d. 360) and Darul Qatnni (d. 385) narrated that the Prophet of Allah (Sallallaho Alihi Wassallam) said, whoever passes by the grave and recites “Qul ho Wallah-ho Ahd…” (Al-Ikhlas Chapter 112) So the grantor will get the reward equal to the quantity of the dead bodies.
All these hadith mentioned above are in proof of having a Quran Khawani “reciting Quran”. Also remember that benediction [dua’] is accepted when the Quran is completed and so several people recite the Quran in times of calamity and depression and at the end make benediction for peace.
May Allah save us from the satan and his evil traps. May Allah grant us paradise in the neighborhood of our beloved Prophet (Sallallaho Alihi Wassallam), Ameen!