Short answer
Yes, in the Hanafi school. You may recite Quran, give charity, fast, do dhikr or any good deed and ask Allah to give its reward to a dead Muslim; this is called isal al-thawab. Dua and charity reach the dead in all four schools; some Shafi'i and Maliki scholars hold that the reward of recitation does not.
A person may gift the reward of any of their good deeds, whether prayer, fasting, charity, Quran or dhikr, to another, living or dead, and it reaches by Allah's grace. Paying someone to recite Quran for the dead is not permissible, and no special day, gathering or food is required.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- The well-known view is that the reward of recitation does not reach, while dua and charity do; many later Shafi'is say it reaches when one asks Allah to give it.
- Maliki
- The earlier view is that recitation for the dead is disliked and its reward does not reach; later Malikis allowed it.
Explanation
Death ends a person's own deeds, but not the good that others send them. The Quran shows believers praying for those who went before them, and the sunnah shows charity, fasting and Hajj done on behalf of the dead. Hanafi scholars take a general principle from this: a Muslim can give the reward of any good deed to another. This is isal al-thawab (sending reward).
How to do it. Recite some Quran, for example al-Fatiha, al-Ikhlas three times, Yasin or al-Mulk, then say in your heart or aloud: "O Allah, give the reward of what I recited to my father (or mother, or name)." You can do the same after giving charity, fasting a nafl fast, praying nafl, or doing dhikr. Your own reward is not reduced.
What reaches in every school:
- Dua and istighfar for them.
- Charity given on their behalf, especially sadaqah jariyah such as a well or a mosque.
- Paying their debts.
- Hajj or umrah on their behalf.
What to avoid. Hiring people to recite Quran for a fee for the dead is not allowed in the Hanafi school, and the reciter gets no reward to pass on. There is also no need for a set day, a gathering or a meal; see the 40th day.
The ayah "there is not for man except that for which he strives" is understood by Hanafi scholars as a person's own earning, which does not stop Allah from giving him more through others' gifts.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Hashr 59:10
وَٱلَّذِينَ جَآءُو مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا ٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَٰنِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِٱلْإِيمَٰنِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِى قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّۭا لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌۭ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿١٠﴾
And [there is a share for] those who came after them, saying, "Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful."
The living benefit the dead with dua.
Quran, Surah An-Najm 53:39
وَأَن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَٰنِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰ ﴿٣٩﴾
And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives
The ayah used by those who limit what reaches; Hanafis explain it as a person's own earning.
Sahih al-Bukhari 2756
Sahih... إن أمي توفيت وأنا غائب عنها أينفعها شيء إن تصدقت به عنها ...
"My mother died while I was away. Will it benefit her if I give charity for her? He said yes."
Charity on behalf of the dead reaches them.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1952
Sahih... من مات وعليه صيام صام عنه وليه ...
"Whoever dies owing fasts, his guardian fasts for him."
Acts of worship can be done for the dead.
Sahih Muslim 1631
Sahih... إذا مات الإنسان انقطع عنه عمله إلا من ثلاثة ...
"When a person dies, his deeds end except for three."
Ongoing charity, useful knowledge and a child's dua keep benefiting the dead.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Hajj, Bab al-Hajj 'an al-Ghayr. The principle that a person may give the reward of his deed to another, prayer, fasting, charity or other.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Salah, Bab Salat al-Janazah. Reciting Quran at graves and gifting its reward.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Ijarah. Payment for reciting Quran for the dead is not allowed.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.