Ilm – A Source of Perpetual Reward

1. It comes in the Hadeeth that when a person dies then his actions cease, besides (the reward for) three actions.
2. First, Sadaqah Jaariyah (Perpetual Charity – like waqf of a property, a well, a Masjid, etc. built for the pleasure of Allah).
3. Second, Ilm (knowledge) through which people benefit (like teaching, writing, etc.).
4. Third, a pious child who makes Du’aa of goodness for the deceased. (Muslim)
5. The meaning of the Hadeeth is that the thawaab of all virtuous deeds terminate upon the death of a person, because a dead person does not do any action. Therefore, how can he gain any reward!?
6. However, these three deeds are such that even after a person passes away the thawaab for these deeds continues because these actions continue even after death.
7. People benefit continuously through Sadaqah Jaariyah.
8. Similarly, the benefit of knowledge continues.
9. And pious children make Du’aa for the good of their parents. Therefore, this is also a source of continual reward.
10. There are many forms of people benefiting from a person’s knowledge.
11. For example, a person is an Aalim, and people benefit directly from his knowledge.
12. For those who are not Aalims, Allah Ta’ala has opened many ways for them. For example, they sponsor a student in his Deeni studies. The one who sponsored the Student of Deen gains the reward of all the people who benefit from the knowledge of the Aalim whom he had sponsored.

(Behshti Zewar)