The Book of Wills - Sahih Muslim 1631

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. This noble hadith from Sahih Muslim contains profound wisdom regarding the continuation of reward after death. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) informs us that while ordinary deeds cease with death, three types of actions continue to yield divine reward for the deceased.

Commentary on Recurring Charity (Sadaqah Jariyah)

Recurring charity refers to any charitable endowment that continues to benefit people over time. The classical scholars mention examples such as building mosques, digging wells, establishing schools, planting trees, or writing beneficial books. Imam Nawawi explains that as long as people derive benefit from these endowments, the original donor continues to receive reward from Allah.

This principle demonstrates the wisdom of Islamic endowment (waqf) institutions, where the initial act of charity becomes a perpetual source of blessings. The scholars emphasize that the intention behind such charity must be purely for Allah's pleasure, not for worldly recognition.

Commentary on Beneficial Knowledge

Knowledge here encompasses both religious and worldly knowledge that brings benefit to creation. The early scholars like Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali explain that this includes teaching Quran, Hadith, jurisprudence, medicine, agriculture, and any useful science. When a person teaches knowledge that others implement or transmit to subsequent generations, the original teacher continues to receive reward.

This highlights the importance of knowledge transmission in Islam. Writing books, establishing educational institutions, and mentoring students all fall under this category. The scholars note that the knowledge must be beneficial and in accordance with Islamic principles to yield continuous reward.

Commentary on Pious Son's Prayers

A pious son refers to righteous offspring who were raised with proper Islamic upbringing. The classical commentators like Qadi Iyad explain that this includes both sons and daughters who are obedient to Allah. Their prayers, supplications, and good deeds performed on behalf of their parents continue to benefit them after death.

This emphasizes the importance of proper child-rearing in Islam. When parents raise children who become righteous Muslims, they essentially create a continuous source of blessings for themselves. The scholars mention that this reward extends beyond biological children to include students and spiritual children whom one has guided to righteousness.

Scholarly Conclusions

The collective wisdom of classical scholars indicates that these three avenues provide Muslims with opportunities to prepare for their eternal life even after departing from this temporary world. This hadith encourages strategic planning for the hereafter through sustainable acts of worship.

Imam Ghazali summarizes that this teaching motivates believers to invest in deeds with lasting impact, transforming temporary worldly existence into eternal spiritual capital. The continuous reward from these three sources demonstrates Allah's infinite mercy toward His servants.