Aesale-thawab or Fatiha proof from Quran and Ahadees

Esal e Sawab or Fatiha is nothing other than to ask Allah subhanavataala for the forgiveness of our sins, and to raise the spiritual status of the deceased. This may be achieved through various practices, such as the offering of du’as [supplications], to recite the Qur’an, to offer Qurbani [at Eid al Adha], and also, to perform a compulsory Hajj [fard] on the behalf of the deceased.

Evidence from the Qur’an

Allah (Almighty.) has ordered the Muslims (believers) that you pray for your parents as follows:

O’ My Lord [Allah (Almighty.], have mercy on my parents like they have bought me up through my childhood. (Surah Isra, Verse 24)

Allah (Almighty.) has praised those Muslims who ask for forgiveness of the deceased. They ask for forgiveness in the following manner:

O’ Allah (Almighty.) forgive us and forgive our Muslim brothers and sisters who have passed away. (Surah Hashir, Verse 10)

The above mentioned verses demonstrate that if anyone prays on behalf of another person, the latter will receive the [spiritual] benefits - Allah Willing. This also demonstrates that if it was the wrong action Allah would not have ordered us to pray for other people, nor would He have stated that those who ask for forgiveness for the deceased, receive praises from Allah.

Evidence from the Sunnah or Hadees

Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim write that:

A man came to the Prophet Muhammad [May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace] and said ‘My mother has suddenly died and she did not leave any will, but I suspect that if she did that then she would have told me to give something to charity. Now if I offer something in charity on her behalf, will she get the reward?’Prophet Muhammad [May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace] said ‘Yes’. Then the man said that I make you, the Prophet, as my witness, that I offer my garden full of fruits to charity. (Bukhari Muslim, Chapter Al-Wasiha)

This hadith, as can be clearly read, proves that to offer a charity on behalf of the deceased will result in the deceased obtainig a benefit.

Imam Bukhari writes that: Prophet Muhammad [May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace] has said, The status of the deceased is raised(during their time in the grave), and the deceased ask Allah (Almighty.) why has this happened, Allah (Almighty.) replies that your son has prayed for your forgiveness. (Al-Adab, Al-Mufid Chapter Excellency of the Parents by Imam Bukhari)

From this particular hadith, it can be understood that not only charity, but the offering of prayers (making duas) and the giving of alms, will also benefit the deceased.

A man came to the Prophet (saw) and asked: My mother has passed away, and if she could have spoken, she would have given something in sadaqah (charity). Will she receive a reward if I give something on her behalf? The Prophet (saw) replied: Yes. (Bukhari)

The Prophet (saw) said that some people will enter Paradise at a certain level, but then suddenly, they will see that they are rising to an elevated level, so they will ask: Our deeds only brought us to this level so how come we are rising higher? So it will be said: Because your childrens used to make istighfaar (asking Allah for forgiveness) for you. (Ahmad)

Imam Shafi's (Rh) ruling:

Imam al-shafa'i (rh) said: The dead may benefit from the actions of another in 3 cases: Hajj performed on his (or her) behalf, wealth that is given as sadaqah (charity) on his behalf, and dua (supplications).... And Allah is Most Generous because He will reward the living and benefit the dead. (al-Umm)