Question: When we give money or something to a poor person, we ask them to pray for us. A scholar mentioned that by doing this, we are trying to get the reward of our good deed in this world. Is it appropriate to ask for prayers without the intention of getting a reward in return, and is there any issue with this?
Answer: Asking someone to pray for you is a Sunnah (prophetic tradition) and is not related to giving charity. Asking for prayers does not diminish the reward of the charity or make its reward limited to this world. Charity remains a good deed that will benefit in the Hereafter. Sheikh Saleh Fawzan (حفظه الله) was asked about this, and he said there is no harm in asking for prayers after giving charity.
Moreover, the recipient of charity should thank the giver and pray for them. Even if they do not pray, the giver will still receive the reward for their charity.
Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi
Jeddah Dawah Center – Al-Salamah – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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