Across scripture and tradition, printing and distributing prayer books for the departed is presented as a lasting charity that keeps sending blessings long after one’s death.
Printing a book of prayers for the deceased is among the best and most common gifts offered for them. After the soul leaves the body, the ties to this world are not wholly severed — the departed remain in need of intercession, and the living send blessings and rewards on their behalf. Publishing a prayer book for the deceased is therefore a customary way to provide ongoing spiritual benefit.
Many acts of kindness are customary as gifts to the dead: visiting their graves, performing prayers and Qur’anic recitation, offering du‘a, giving charity, aiding the needy, sponsoring orphans, printing a prayer book for the deceased and printing Mafatih (collections of supplications). These are among the most common and recommended forms of sadaqah for those who have passed away.
The Qur’an does not explicitly command sending rewards to the dead in a single formula, yet it is accepted that performing righteous deeds with the intention of dedicating their reward to the deceased is acceptable. Various Qur’anic verses imply the significance of continued good actions on behalf of others. For example, verse 13 of Sūra al-Qiyāmah mentions that on that Day people will be made aware of the things they sent forward and left behind; exegetes interpret “that which they sent afterward” to include good deeds performed after someone’s death. Other verses — such as Q.14:41, Q.59:10, and Q.27: — have been read as indirectly supporting the duty of doing good on behalf of others.
Numerous hadiths and narrations from the Prophet and the Imams instruct the living to send charity, supplication and good deeds to the departed; printing a prayer book is listed as one of the best practical forms of this. The narrations record that the Imams themselves would offer prayers, Qur’anic recitation and acts of worship for their deceased relatives and dedicate the reward to them.
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said: “Send gifts for your dead.” When asked what constitutes a gift, he replied: “Charity and prayer.” Other narrations from the Imams add that the reward of a good deed is recorded both for the deceased and for the person who performs it with the deceased in mind. Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) is reported to have prayed nightly for one child and daily for his parents, dedicating the reward to their souls.
Religious scholars and jurists encourage printing and distributing prayer books for the deceased as a means to send abundant charity and blessing to them. One illustrative narrative recounts that Jesus (peace be upon him) passed a place where someone was suffering in the barzakh (intermediate state). The following year, after the son of that person matured and performed two charitable acts — repairing a road and sponsoring an orphan — the father’s suffering ceased and blessings were bestowed upon him. This story is given as an example that children’s righteous acts can relieve the deceased’s suffering.
Because righteous deeds can aid those in the grave and relieve their afflictions, scholars advise not delaying: print prayer books and Mafatih, and support the deceased by offering Qur’anic recitation and supplication on their behalf. A practical litmus test suggested by some teachers is this: after you perform a charitable act for a deceased person, pay attention inwardly — if you feel peace and calm, that tranquillity likely reflects benefit transmitted to your loved one.
Given the Qur’anic and traditional encouragement of charitable acts for the deceased, which deed is best? Among many good deeds — printing prayer books, publishing Mafatih, offering prayers and Qur’anic recitation, fasting, feeding the needy, supporting orphans, and giving alms — printing prayer books and Mafatih is counted among the most meritorious. Distributing a printed prayer book among relatives and acquaintances achieves two things: it encourages more people to recite prayers regularly for the deceased, and it offers reassurance to the bereaved that constant recitation on the loved one’s behalf will continue despite daily busyness.
A recommended practice is to place copies of the printed prayer book in sacred places and mosques so many people will recite from it hourly on behalf of the deceased. It is suggested to print the deceased’s photo and name on the inside front page so that readers know to dedicate the recitation to that particular soul.
Having established the importance of such deeds, one naturally asks whether timing and place change their value. Certain days and seasons are more meritorious for prayer and recitation: the Nights of Qadr, the month of Ramadan, the days of Muharram, great religious festivals, the Day of Arafah, and nights such as Friday nights are traditionally viewed as moments when supplications and Qur’anic recitations carry multiplied reward. Reciting specific sūras (like Yā-Sīn, al-Jumu‘ah, Wāqi‘ah, and al-Rahmān) on Friday nights is recommended in many traditions as especially beneficial for the dead.
Likewise, the place of recitation matters: performing worship in sacred places — the shrines of the Imams, mosques and pilgrimage sites — is considered to multiply the benefits. Accordingly, after printing a prayer book, placing several copies in holy places and mosques is advised in order to increase the number of people who will read and dedicate its reward to your deceased loved one.
When preparing printed prayer books for the deceased (or printing Mafatih), include the prayers and sūras most recommended in tradition and popular devotion so the book gathers broad use. The article suggests prioritizing sūras and supplications with strong traditional endorsement and widespread familiarity.
Category | Examples to include |
|---|---|
Key Quranic chapters (sūras) | Fātiḥah (al-Fātiḥah), Yā-Sīn, Ṣāffāt, Aḥzāb, Āyat al-Kursī, al-A‘rāf, al-Raḥmān |
Widely used devotional prayers | Ziyārat Ashura, Du‘ā-ye Tavasul (Tawassul), Du‘ā-ye ‘Ahd, Du‘ā-ye Faraj, Namāz-e-Shab-e-Awval-Qabr (night prayer for the grave), Namāz-e-Mayyit (funeral prayer), Namāz-e-Hājat, Ḥadīth-e-Kisa, and pilgrimage/visitation prayers for the Imams |
The guidance is to favour texts that are commonly recited by the public and especially popular during commemorations, festivals and mourning occasions — that increases the likelihood many readers will adopt the book into communal practice.
Many religious authorities have encouraged printing prayer books and dedicating their reward to the deceased. For instance, the late Allāmeh Majlisī is cited recommending prayer on behalf of parents and regular supplication in the night prayer and after obligatory prayers; he urged greater charity and supplication for parents. Another juristic opinion quoted states that the most meritorious acts are those that propagate the true faith — including publishing religious books — and then dedicating their reward to the deceased.
A hadith transmitted from the Prophet says that every Friday the souls of believers appear before their homes and implore their families: “Be kind to us.” The Prophet urged swift charity for the dead. Another scholar — Ayatollah Bahjat — was asked which single action is most meritorious for a dead person; he replied: supporting works that promote true religion, such as publishing religious texts, and dedicating their reward to the deceased.
A further narration says that any charity given on behalf of the deceased is symbolically taken by an angel as a plate of light to the grave; the gift is received, the grave widens and the deceased is given comfort and ease. For this reason printing a prayer book for the dead accomplishes both duty and the creation of ongoing, righteous works (thawāb) for them.
Given the importance placed upon such acts, the article recommends that prayer books for the dead include the most meritorious and popular supplications. While all prayer and Quranic recitation is rewarded, several sūras and du‘as are singled out for priority. Include among them: al-Fātiḥah, Yā-Sīn, Ṣāffāt, Aḥzāb, Āyat al-Kursī, al-A‘rāf, and al-Raḥmān. From the Mafatih tradition, include beloved supplications such as Ziyārat Ashura, Du‘ā-ye Tawassul, Du‘ā-ye ‘Ahd, Du‘ā-ye Faraj, the night prayer for the grave, funeral prayer, Du‘ā-ye Hājat, Ḥadīth-e-Kisa, and other frequent visitation prayers for the Imams.
Do not forget your departed loved ones: although their hands are closed to this world, they await reward and relief from acts of charity — particularly the printing and distribution of prayer books and Mafatih. By printing such books you fulfil a dutiful obligation with inherited property and provide a continuing good deed whose reward ripples forward. In doing so you help secure ongoing benefits and elevated ranks for them before God.
