Aida Masuri Mustafa بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Many want to be known, to be celebrated, and to be remembered. We see a lot of prominent people erect their own statues, or establish charity organisations under their names so that they will be memorialised when they leave this dunya.
But as Muslims who are akhirah-oriented, our legacy shouldn’t just be about being remembered. Rather, the focus of our legacy is to seek the ridha (pleasure) of Allah first and foremost, and one that continues to benefit the creations of Allah so that we may reap His reward even after years, and years have passed since we ceased to exist in this dunya. This is the legacy that every believer should aspire to leave behind.
How does one achieve such a blessed legacy? Consider this hadith, where Rasulullah salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam (ﷺ) said:
“When a person dies, his deeds come to an end, except for three:
(1) ongoing charity,
(2) beneficial knowledge,
(3) or a righteous child who prays for him.”
Once a person passes away, the doors to earn hasanah from Allah with our good deeds are closed — except for three matters: sadaqah jariyah, beneficial knowledge of which people use and benefit from, and a pious child who supplicates for him.
🌸 Sadaqah Jariyah
Sadaqah jariyah means ongoing charity, where its reward continues to be reaped by a believer even after he has passed away. Alhamdulillah, Allah has given us numerous ways for us to do sadaqah jariyah, and I’ll mention just two in this article:
(1) Building masaajid — This doesn’t mean that every one of us needs to build a masjid with our own two hands. Many don’t have the financial means, and experiences to embark on this noble effort alone. So in shaa Allah, it’s sufficient to contribute in the form of some monetary value, or even offer our skills / expertise towards the building of masaajid. No matter how little our contribution might be, have hope that Allah Ash-Shakoor (The Most Appreciative) will accept and reward us for it.
(2) Planting trees — Rejoice to those who love to plant! Rasulullah ﷺ said: “There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree, or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person, or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari 2320]
This is such an endearing hadith because it shows that no act of khayr is too small, but Allah will reward us for it. Allah ta’ala not only rewards us when a person benefits from the trees we plant, but when animals eat from it as well.
Want to know an even more beautiful statement from Rasulullah ﷺ? He ﷺ said: “Never does a Muslim plants a tree except that he has the reward of charity for him: for what is eaten out of that is charity; what is stolen out of that (is charity); what the beasts eat out of that (is charity); what the birds eat out of that is charity for him. (In short) none incurs a loss to him, but it becomes a charity on his part.” [Sahih Muslim 1552a]
Allah rewards us even if people were to steal from our trees, subhana Allah — how amazing is that! I remember we used to have this lush mango tree back at our old house, that Allah ta’ala caused it to grow so much until some of its lower branches reached the fence facing the road. So on top of the birds and squirrels that loved to eat from it, people started stealing some of its fruits because they were just within reach.
It goes without saying that everyone has the right to be upset when their properties are stolen, but I wished I had come to know this hadith sooner. Instead of being frustrated, Allah gave us an opportunity to be grateful for such an easy act of charity. Every “loss” is counted as a charity on our part. Nothing is wasted in the Sight of Allah ta’ala, as long as we are sincere.
🌸 Beneficial Knowledge
Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Whoever teaches some knowledge will have the reward of the one who acts upon it, without that detracting from his reward in the slightest.” [Sunan Ibn Majah 240 | Graded Hasan by Darussalam]
This is one of my favourite ahadith because it’s something we can all do, in shaa Allah! And the simplest way to start spreading knowledge is that we begin with our family. Help our children to memorise Surah Al-Fatihah, teach them to read the Qur’an, how to pray, how to fast, how to make wudhu’, and so on — because every time they do these ‘ibaadah, we too get the reward. Every time they teach the same to their future children, and then their children teach their children, and the following generations teach their subsequent generations, we will continue to reap the reward as well, in shaa Allah! Rasulullah ﷺ said:
“Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to those who follow him, without detracting from their rewards at all. Whoever calls to misguidance will have sin upon him similar to those who follow him, without detracting from their sins at all.” [Sahih Muslim 2674]
So be a caller of Tawheed, the Qur’an, and Sunnah, and steer clear from spreading falsehood and bid’ah (innovation in the religion). This can be as simple as forwarding an authentic (i.e. conforms with the Qur’an and authentic ahadith) piece of knowledge via Facebook / WhatsApp / etc. The more one spreads beneficial knowledge by which people learn and act upon, the more he will reap its reward even after death.
As long as our intention is sincere, this also applies for beneficial worldly knowledge as well. So glad tidings to the teachers, tutors, and scholars — may Allah accept them all from you!
🌸 A Righteous Child Who Prays For Us
For the tired Mamas, Papas, and Guardians — yes it’s tough raising righteous children in this day and age, but remember the sweetness Allah promises us at the end of this journey. Not only will you reap the reward for every single act of worship they did that you taught them, but their supplications will become a means of your aid and elevation in the akhirah.
Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Verily, Allah ‘azza wa jalla will raise the status of his righteous servants in Jannah, and they will ask: ‘O Rabb, what is this?’ Allah will say: ‘This is due to your child seeking forgiveness for you.” [Musnad Ahmad 10611 | Graded Hasan by Al-Arna’ut]
To the parents who want but do not have children, may Allah grant you the full reward for your beautiful patience and sincere intention. Know that whatever Allah gives, and whatever He withholds is always good for us, even though we may never understand the wisdom behind it in this life.
All of this, and more, are from the Rahmah of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, Who continues to reward His believing servants even after they have ceased to exist in this dunya. Truly, there is no one else, except Allah alone, Who can fully compensate us for all the khayr we do in this dunya.
“And whatever you do of good, Allah certainly knows it.”
[Surah Al-Baqarah 2 : 197]
O Allah, facilitate us in leaving behind a blessed and accepted legacy, through which we earn Your ridha, Your love, and Your complete forgiveness.
Your sister in Deen,
Aida Msr
