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Transcending Time
How Your Good Deeds Can Outlive You
Al Salam Alaikum 🌱
What if the most valuable treasure you could leave behind is not material wealth but something far more profound?
In this week’s newsletter, I explore the concept of leaving behind beneficial knowledge, a worthy legacy that lasts beyond a lifetime.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Leaving behind beneficial knowledge is about creating an impact that outlives us.
In the modern world, this can take many forms. As a professional and entrepreneur, you have a unique opportunity to embody this principle in your business practices, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond your immediate sphere of influence.
💡 What is Beneficial Knowledge?
Beneficial knowledge refers to knowledge that brings one closer to Allah and inspires good deeds.
This encompasses religious knowledge, such as understanding the Quran and Hadith, and any knowledge that contributes to the betterment of oneself and society.
Seeking and sharing beneficial knowledge is a form of worship and a path toward eternal reward. But to leave behind beneficial knowledge, we must first seek and imbibe it.
💎 Investing in Eternity: The Payoff of Beneficial Knowledge
A key goal of leaving behind beneficial knowledge is that we can continue accruing good deeds long after we are gone.
From a pragmatic perspective, it makes absolute sense to invest in this. Regardless of scientific and technical advancements in increasing life expectancy, our time on this earth remains relatively short.
Therefore, thinking beyond our immediate existence and finding ways to perpetually contribute positively becomes essential.
This form of investment pays dividends through ongoing good deeds, extending our positive impact beyond our physical presence on Earth.
This is the essence of living forever through beneficial knowledge.
Consider an illustration of a tree.
The seed of the tree represents the beneficial knowledge we leave behind. As time passes, this seed grows into a sturdy tree, representing the ongoing good deeds we continue to accrue even after we are gone.
The tree's fruits symbolize the positive impacts and benefits reaped by others, which keep multiplying and spreading as the fruits fall and give birth to new trees.
This visual metaphor encapsulates the idea of living forever through beneficial knowledge.
☪️ Imam Abu Hanifa: An Eternal Legacy of Beneficial Knowledge
One such example of a predecessor whose beneficial knowledge continues to live on is Imam Abu Hanifa. Born in 699 AD in Kufa, Iraq, he became one of the most influential scholars in the history of Islamic law.
Imam Abu Hanifa dedicated his life to the pursuit and teaching of knowledge. He founded the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence, followed by a significant portion of today's Muslim world. His teachings and legal rulings have shaped the practices and lives of millions across generations.
Despite his vast knowledge, Imam Abu Hanifa was known for his humility. He continued to learn and grow throughout his life, saying, “As long as I have been learning, I am the most ignorant person I know.” His humility, combined with his vast knowledge, made him a beloved teacher and mentor.
Even after his death in 767 DB, his legacy of beneficial knowledge continues to live on. His teachings are studied and followed by millions worldwide, and his insights continue to guide Islamic jurisprudence.
Imam Abu Hanifa’s life embodies living forever through beneficial knowledge. His deep commitment to learning, teaching, and humility has left a lasting impact on the world, demonstrating that our contributions can echo into eternity.
👇️ How to Leave Behind Beneficial Knowledge
Ask Allah for Guidance: Request Allah’s assistance to gain beneficial knowledge for your afterlife.
Spread Islamic Teachings: Teach others about Islam online and offline within and outside your social circles. Sharing wisdom, teachings, prophetic narrations, and Quranic verses can profoundly impact and guide others in their spiritual journey.
Produce and Share Faith-Based Content Online: Utilize digital platforms to share your learnings, knowledge, and insights on faith. This could be through social media posts, online discussions, or even your faith-based website, blog, or channel.
Teach and Mentor Others: One of the most direct ways of leaving behind beneficial knowledge is by teaching others. This could involve mentoring, coaching, or sharing your experiences and learnings with those around you. This can also look like joining or starting discussion groups and using these platforms to share and discuss faith-based knowledge, fostering a community learning environment.
Create Purposeful Digital Content: In the digital age, creating valuable content is a powerful way to share knowledge with a global audience. This could be through blog writing, podcasting, creating video tutorials, or even publishing an ebook or a book.
Build a Sustainable Business: Your business can be a platform for beneficial knowledge. You are imparting knowledge by creating podcasts or services that solve real problems. Furthermore, by running your business in a way that respects and uplifts all stakeholders, you are teaching others by example.
💭 Closing Thoughts
Leaving behind beneficial knowledge means making a lasting positive impact. It's about living a life that matters, not only during our earthly existence but long after. This signifies that we have taken our divine mission on earth as successors seriously.
May this inspire you to constantly create and disseminate beneficial knowledge for Allah’s sake, understanding that your efforts can echo into eternity and serve as your lasting legacy inshAllah.
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