Subhan’Allah, how people chase after money in this world and attempt to set-up residual incomes for themselves and their families. However, how many of us attempt to set-up residual hassanah (reward) for our hereafter? Just reflect on the follow hadith:
Jarir bin ‘Abdullah al-Bajali narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Whoever introduces some good practice in Islam will have the reward of it, as well as the reward of those who act on it after him, without their rewards being diminished in any respect. And whoever introduces some evil practice in Islam will bear the burden of it as well as the burden of those who act on it after him, without theirs being diminished in any respect.” (Bukhari)
How can we take advantage of such ‘residual ajr’? Subhan’Allah, there are multiple ways as Rasoolullah (SAW) said, “When a human dies, his good deeds stop, except three: a sadaqa jariyya (continuous charity), a beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child that prays for him” (Muslim).
One way is through our wealth by giving in a cause that will work for us continuously, insh’Allah. These projects could include the building of a masjid or a school. We can also donate to a dawah project or buy books and donate them to a library amongst many different things.
Another way is through knowledge. We can teach at a weekend school little children how to read the Quran. We can give dawah (to Muslims and non-Muslims). We can teach a new Muslim how to pray. We can establish a weekly-halaqa in our community. We can set-up a dawah project at our MSAs that will continue to run even after we’ve graduated.
And another way is through righteous children. We can raise on children upon the truth. We can help them in memorizing the Book of Allah. We can give them a proper Islamc education and upbringing and insh’Allah everytime they do good b/c our actions, we will see the fruit of it in the Hereafter. May Allah (SWT) bless us all with beautiful, pious children. Ameen.