بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

All living beings will taste death when the set time arrives and when that happens our deeds stops being counted. However there are three deeds that continues after death. May we all be able to acquire these three things to accompany us in the afterlife.

Come, lets take a look at what those three things are in the authentic Hadith below.

Hadith about the three three deeds that continues after death

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ‏- رضى الله عنه ‏- أَنَّ رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ ‏- صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏-قَالَ: إِذَا مَاتَ اَلْإِنْسَانُ اِنْقَطَعَ عَنْهُ عَمَلُهُ إِلَّا مِنْ ثَلَاثٍ: صَدَقَةٍ جَارِيَةٍ ، أَوْ عِلْمٍ يُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ، أَوْ وَلَدٍ صَالَحٍ يَدْعُو لَهُ – رَوَاهُ مُسْلِم

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “When a son of Adam (i.e. any human being) dies his deeds are discontinued, with three exceptions: sadaqah, whose benefit is continuous; or knowledge from which benefit continues to be reaped, or a righteous child who supplicates for him.”
[Reported by Muslim].

Source: Bulugh al-Maram, book 7, 178.
Narrated by: Abu Hurairah (RA)

Any person who has those three deeds to accompany the journey in the afterlife surely is a lucky person indeed. Not everyone will be able to achieve those stated criteria but then again it is not an impossible task.

Three deeds that continues after death: Sadaqah jariyah

For sadaqah jariyah or alms which brings continuous benefits, you can donate to various charities that are on a mission to build long lasting infrastructures. There are lots of organizations that are building mosques, schools, roads, planting trees or drinking wells and many more. For as long as those infrastructures stand and are being benefited, InsyaAllah the rewards shall stream into your account.

There is an ayah in the Quran. Surah al-Baqarah verse 261, a bounty which Allah promises to those who sincerely donates their wealth:

The example of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah is that of a grain that sprouts into seven ears, each bearing one hundred grains. And Allah multiplies ˹the reward even more˺ to whoever He wills. For Allah is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing.

So lets take that as an inspiration to sincerely donate what we can in Allah’s cause.

Three deeds that continues after death: Knowledge that continues to be benefited

You do not have to be a professional educator to distribute knowledge. Teach what you know especially about the Deen (religion) and to whom the knowledge is transferred to, the person practices it, InsyaAllah the rewards will be attached to you here in this life and further on.

Teach for family and teach your friends, spread the Deen as far and wide as you can and may Allah reward you greatly for your deeds.

O believers! When you are told to make room in gatherings, then do so. Allah will make room for you ˹in His grace˺. And if you are told to rise, then do so. Allah will elevate those of you who are faithful, and ˹raise˺ those gifted with knowledge in rank. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.

Furthermore Allah S.W.T promises to raise in rank to those who are knowledgeable. If you look closely in this world those who attained a higher knowledge than others are more regarded than those who don’t. So teach and learn and may Allah elevate your status those who you have taught.

Three deeds that continues after death: Supplications from righteous children

Last but not least, in my opinion the hardest of the lot is the third one which is to have a righteous child to make Dua for us. This requires a good upbringing, understanding and nurturing from the parents towards the child.

There is a verse in the Quran where Prophet Ibrahim (AS) supplicated to Allah in Surah as-Saffat verse 100:

My Lord! Bless me with righteous offspring.

You can use the verse above as a Dua to be blessed by Allah in being granted righteous progeny such as Prophet Ibrahim (AS) did.

As a father of three boys, I lack all sort of things and I do feel that many of us fathers have the same feelings too. I do hope though that I somehow succeed to have sons that will supplicate for me when I am gone. The doom of the grave surely is real and I want no part of it as I am sure of that for you as well.

Conclusion about the three deeds that continues after death

The road to heaven is paved with thorns whilst the road to hell is paved with leisure. Choose wisely and lets build up our good deeds continuously with the three deeds shared above. In hopes that if not all three, one of them shall bring us success in the afterlife.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) has said that doing Sadaqah does not diminish one’s wealth. Instead more is rewarded to us than what we have gave away.

As always, do share this article out to all of your family and friends. May it be one of the long lasting good deeds that rewards us well. Here and in the hereafter, InsyaAllah.