Continuous Reward After Death
Consequently, a Muslim must not just persist in doing good deeds while alive but should also pursue projects that will reap benefits for him or her after death. The following are some examples of these deeds:
Constantly Remembering Death
One of the best ways to actively do good deeds and leave behind avenues that will continue to benefit after death is to remember death itself, often and consistently.
Investing Money in Welfare Projects
Whether it’s a hospital, school, mosque, domestic shelter, or a welfare organization that generally helps the needy, Muslims should invest some money in it in order to ensure that the rewards for charity will keep coming even after they have died, when the money they invested continues to benefit others in different ways.
Spreading Beneficial Knowledge
Educate another person or teach others a skill; contribute in starting a regular Islamic class. The more students you have, the farther your trail of good deeds will extend after you have left this world.
{Surely We give life to the dead, and We write down what they have sent before and their footprints, and We have recorded everything in a clear writing.} (Ya-Sin 36:12)
All it takes is an hour once a week to start teaching others what you know. The point is — just start! Helpingly, here are some practical endeavors:
Sponsor the printing and distribution of the Qur’an or Islamic books.
Record and distribute Islamic classes and lectures; videos or audios of Islamic lectures can be recorded on various formats and spread physically among people or uploaded on the worldwide web.
Write articles and books; e-books now make it easier for writers to get published.
Build and maintain an Islamic website, or write Islamic content for other websites: If you are tech-savvy, you can start your own Islamic website!
Else, small articles can be easily self-published on the Internet by registering to write on websites.
Start and maintain an Islamic blog; many sites now allow individuals to upload their personal content for the world to see.
Even, if you write something just once a month, after several years, you may have accumulated a vast pool of content for others to read. Be it personal reflections on the Qur’an, tips, and advice on acting upon Islam, or general musings.
Getting Married and Bearing Children
Muslims should be very concerned about instilling high Islamic values in their children. All the more so because they know that if their children grow up to be righteous, they’ll benefit them even after death.
Therefore, a Muslim tries his or her best to marry a pious person and to start and raise a family according to the Islamic values. They are upright and firm in keeping the influence of Satan out of their homes.
Trees and Water-sources for Travelers
Planting trees and other vegetation, particularly that which yields produce such as fruit, vegetables, or grains, which provides shade to the passersby and oxygen to the environment, is a great ongoing act of charity. Having wells dug, or water coolers installed on wayfarers’ paths is also the most excellent charity.
Anas ibn Malik narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
“There is none among Muslims who plants a tree or sows a seed, and then a bird, a person, or an animal eats from it, but it is regarded as a charitable gift from him.” (Al-Bukhari)
Leave no Dues Unpaid
The Muslim also worries about whether he or she owes anyone any debts at the time of death — this is because when they die, their debts will still have to be repaid. Consequently, the pious Muslim makes up qada’ fasts of yesteryears (makes up missed days), gives qada’ zakah (makes up unpaid zakah) of assets that he was heedless of in the past, and makes sure he lives as debt-free as possible.
Since Muslims constantly think about, and prepare for, their death — they ensure their transition from this world is as smooth as possible, and when they return to their Lord, they have no dues — either that of His, or of people — left to be repaid.
Using all available resources, tools, and technologies to benefit others, to facilitate the growth and spread of Islamic knowledge, and to help alleviate the misery and suffering of those who are less fortunate enables Muslims to prepare for their exit from the transient life of this world in such a way, that even after they’ll be gone, the “ripple effects” of their fruitful actions will be still felt by the succeeding generations.
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