The importance of leaving good traces after death

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, the One who gives life and death and will resurrect all for judgment. I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and messenger.

Allah says:

“We shall resurrect the dead, and We record what they sent before and the traces they left behind. Everything is recorded in a clear register.”
(Surah Ya-Sin, 36:12)

Nothing escapes Allah. Every action and trace you leave, good or bad, is written in your record.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“When a person dies, his deeds end except for three: a continuous charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.”
(Muslim)

These are three keys to continuous reward after death:

1. Continuous charity – such as building a mosque, digging a well, or any ongoing benefit.

2. Useful knowledge – teaching, publishing beneficial works, or spreading beneficial sciences.

3. A righteous child – raising children in faith so they pray and supplicate for their parents.

Brothers and sisters, we will all leave this world. Some will be forgotten, others will leave behind good deeds that elevate them in Paradise, and others will leave sins that weigh them down on the Day of Judgment.

Second page

Allah says:

“Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”
(Surah Az-Zalzalah, 99:7–8)

Let us ask ourselves: What trace will we leave — good or bad?
Let us prepare now for what will be a light in our graves.
Life is short; we don’t know when our time will come. The wise person hastens to do good, raise righteous children, and support beneficial projects that continue after death.

Fear Allah and prepare deeds that will accompany you in your grave and shine on the Day when wealth and children will be of no use — except a pure heart before Allah.

May Allah make us people of goodness, protect us from evil deeds, and grant us a blessed end. Amin.