Despite this stark reality, man pays more attention to building a family and amassing as much wealth as he can, and earn the highest possible position of honour in his society and place of work. While doing so, he seldom pays attention to virtues, good deeds and preparing for his real luggage that he would carry along upon his death.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has warned man that only three things will accompany him to his burial. While two would return after the burial, only one thing will stay back with him forever. Which are these three things? These have been mentioned in a Hadith, quoted in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: Book (53) as Hadith number 7424, reproduced herein under:
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى التَّمِيمِىُّ وَزُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ كِلاَهُمَا عَنِ ابْنِ عُيَيْنَةَ قَالَ يَحْيَى أَخْبَرَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِى بَكْرٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- « يَتْبَعُ الْمَيِّتَ ثَلاَثَةٌ فَيَرْجِعُ اثْنَانِ وَيَبْقَى وَاحِدٌ يَتْبَعُهُ أَهْلُهُ وَمَالُهُ وَعَمَلُهُ فَيَرْجِعُ أَهْلُهُ وَمَالُهُ وَيَبْقَى عَمَلُهُ ».
It was narrated that 'Abdullah bin Abi Bakr said: "I heard Anas bin Malik say: 'Three things follow the deceased; two of them return and one remains. He is followed by his family, his wealth and his deeds. Then his family and his wealth return and his deeds remain (with him).'"
My dear brothers and sisters in Islam, no matter how much you love your family, and how much wealth you amass, these two things will leave you no sooner you are dead. However, it will be your deeds, good or bad, that will stay with you forever till you are presented in the Divine court on the Day of Resurrection and will speak good or bad of you. On that day, no one will be asked about his family and wealth or worldly position, but DEEDS alone. And it will be on the basis of weight of one's deed that the decision will be given of one's future abode: Heaven or Hell.
So, time is now to amass as much goodies in your kitty as you can, repent for the bad deeds and seek forgiveness from Allah before the angel of death strikes you. And he will come unannounced, any second from now onward. No time will then be allowed to make amends and repent. Let us take advantage of the leverage that Allah provides us to repent as soon as we commit a sin or hurt someone, so as be ready for death with a heavy sack of good deeds and no bad deeds at all. Think over it!!
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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