| When a human being dies, are all of his deeds | | | | he had caused these things (which are mentioned |
| terminated and he is done? | | | | in the above Hadith), such as the earning of a |
| What are the best three things that a man can | | | | child, disseminating the knowledge among those |
| leave behind after his death are: | | | | who take it from him or establishing a continuous |
| The rewards of the following deeds continue to | | | | charity, the rewards of these things continue to |
| reach him after his death | | | | reach him as long as they continue to exist. |
| | | | | |
| In Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad says that: | | | | The reason that one continues to receive |
| "When a man dies, all of his deeds are terminated | | | | rewards for these deeds even though they are |
| except for three types: | | | | done by other people, is that he had initiated |
| 1. an ongoing and perpetual charity he leaves | | | | them during his life or contributed to them to a |
| behind, | | | | certain degree, whether little or large. |
| 2. a knowledge given by him from which others | | | | Since Allah does not neglect an atom's weight of |
| benefit, i.e. a knowledge that continues to be | | | | deeds, He records these contributions for a |
| implemented after him and | | | | person even after his death. |
| 3. a virtuous son or daughter he leaves behind, | | | | A human being, by his efforts and good conduct, |
| who prays for him and asks for forgiveness on | | | | had earned friends, produced children, married |
| his behalf." | | | | spouses, done good, and was amiable to the |
| | | | | people. Because of this, they invoke mercy for |
| The prophetic descendent, Imam Jafar explains | | | | him and do good acts on his behalf. All of this is |
| the above Prophetic Hadith and says that: | | | | then will be counted as a result of his earning. |
| "Among the good deeds that continue to benefit | | | | Among the deeds that benefit a person, even |
| a believer after death are: | | | | though they are done by others, are those that |
| 1. a knowledge that he taught and disseminated, | | | | count like his own because he caused them, such |
| 2. a pious son who asks for forgiveness on his | | | | as his children's supplication for him or giving |
| behalf, | | | | charity on his behalf, all of which having been |
| 3. a house that he built for the two wayfarers, | | | | established with authentic Hadiths. |
| 4. a stream that he ran, or | | | | |
| 5. a tree he planted, | | | | In addition, this prophetic Hadith encourages three |
| 6. a glass of water he quenched others' thirst | | | | social issues that have great impact on the man's |
| with, | | | | society. First, it encourages having a good family |
| 7. a well he dug, and | | | | that yield to a righteous offspring. Second, it |
| 8. a good tradition or habit he left behind to those | | | | encourages education and dissemination of the |
| around him." | | | | productive knowledge. Third, it encourages the |
| 9. a charity that he gave from his wealth during | | | | continuous charity and th kindness towards the |
| his healthy lifetime so that it would reach him (in | | | | needy people. |
| rewards) after death." | | | | |
| | | | | Sometimes I think about: |
| The Deeds of Unlimited Renewed Benefit | | | | What if the man adopts this Hadith? |
| Any good deed that a believer starts during his | | | | Then how would the world look like? |
| lifetime, and that is of renewed benefit and | | | | Will then all the social man's problem be solved? |
| ongoing use for the believers, will continue to | | | | |
| benefit him and augment his record of good | | | | |
| deeds, even after his death as long as its benefits | | | | Very often Imam Ali, Prophet Muhammad's cousin |
| keep on to reach others. | | | | used to advise every one, by saying: |
| | | | | "Prepare for a journey and do good deeds with |
| Upon Commenting on the Prophetic Hadith, it is | | | | what you have been blessed, for what lies in |
| said that | | | | front is difficult road full of obstacles and |
| Although some people say that the deeds of a | | | | frightening junctions from which there is no |
| human being end with his death. However, since | | | | escape. |