Hadith Text

"When carried to his grave, a dead person is followed by three, two of which return (after his burial) and one remains with him: his relative, his property, and his deeds follow him; relatives and his property go back while his deeds remain with him." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6514)

Context and Significance

This profound hadith from the Book "To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq)" in Sahih al-Bukhari serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of worldly attachments and the permanence of one's deeds.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) uses this vivid imagery to illustrate how everything we cherish in this world ultimately abandons us at the most critical moment - when we face our Lord alone.

Scholarly Commentary

The three companions mentioned represent the three primary attachments in human life: family ties (relatives), material possessions (property), and spiritual capital (deeds).

Relatives return to their lives, property is distributed among heirs, but deeds - both good and evil - accompany the soul into the grave and beyond. This emphasizes that our actions are our only true companions in the afterlife.

Classical scholars note that this hadith encourages believers to prioritize accumulating good deeds over amassing worldly possessions, as deeds provide eternal companionship while worldly attachments are temporary.

Spiritual Lessons

This teaching softens the heart by reminding us of death's reality and the ultimate solitude we will face with only our deeds as companions.

It calls for introspection about what we truly value and invest in during our limited earthly existence.

The hadith serves as a powerful motivation to perform righteous deeds and maintain proper priorities, knowing that only our actions will benefit us in the eternal life to come.