By Shaykh Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen al-Albaanee

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:

“The likeness of wealth, family and the actions of the son of Aadam is of a man who has three companions. One of the man’s companions says: I am with you as long as you live; when you die, you have taken your share of yourself and you have taken your share of me - this is his wealth. The second companion says: I am with you until you reach that tree; you have had your share of yourself and your share of me - this is his family. The third companion says: I am with you in life and in death.” (al-Bazzaar, Saheeh)

The above authentic hadeeth is in fact like the following hadeeth in meaning and in subject matter. Anas said that the Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:

“The dead person is followed (to his grave) by three: His family, his wealth and his actions. Two of them return and only one remains. His family and his wealth return, but his actions remain.” (Saheeh al-Bukhaaree & Saheeh Muslim)

These ahaadeeth intend to direct Muslims to be concerned with actions which will stay with them forever; and not to strive for wealth and position for the sake of relatives, family and servants. Apparently, the Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam)) wanted to show us the value of good actions when he related these ahaadeeth to us, (which can be found) in the books of Zuhd (renouncement of the world). He pointed out to us that because actions will last rather than wealth, you have to make your actions righteous. Part of making ones actions righteous is through good wealth that is earned lawfully and spent in a good manner. Then one gains the rewards of 'amalus-saalih (a righteous action).

What is a righteous action and what are its conditions? The two conditions are: Muwaafaqah (compliance) with the Sunnah; and Ikhlaas (sincerity and purity of intention) to Allaah.



The du’aat (the callers) must still pay attention to the second condition of the righteous action: To be sincere in their da’wah. They must neither seek fame, pride, nor arguments from their da’wah. They must not seek anything that an-Nafs ul-Amaarata bis-Soo’ (the soul that calls them to evil) orders them to do...they must take care of this da’wah. However, they stand in danger. It can happen that one may say a word seeking only to have fingers of praise pointed at him, not sincerely advising the people and desiring to guide them. Rather, to do that for fame.

Here we mention a saying of some of the Sufi's, who have some wise sayings that cannot be denied: “The love of fame breaks backs.” Therefore, I insist, that we who make da’wah to the Sunnah be sincere in our actions so that when our actions enter the grave with us, it will help us to answer correctly when we are asked: “Who is your Lord? Who is your Prophet? What is your religion?” If the deed is evil, when the person enters the grave, he will deny it. His deed will come to him in the worst of forms. He will ask it: “Who are you?” It will say: “I am your deed.”

The generous person is the one who gives away his own wealth when his soul is attached to it. As for the one who is on the brink of death and who says: “Give so and so such and such amount”, he is a miser and is not generous. Rather, a truly generous person is one who gives charity whilst he holds onto his life and also whilst he loves this wealth very much.

This is the reality of this world in the Sharee’ah, it has no value, the goal behind these ahaadeeth is that a person should not be overly concerned about this world, except with which is sufficient to keep him alive and strong; and sufficient enough to be able to accomplish the worship of his Lord. For if his wealth is greater than this, it will only benefit him by the amount of good that he does by helping others.

We ask Allaah not to put love of this world in our hearts, but to guide us to earn in this life what helps us to worship and obey Him. And all praise is for Allaah, Lord of the Worlds.