Three Lasting Legacies: Waqf, Beneficial Knowledge, and Righteous Children

The occasion of reflecting on this Hadith: 11 August (20 Mordad): Waqf (Endowment) Day

Introduction

The Waqf (Endowment) Day reminds us of one of Islam’s most beautiful teachings: doing good in ways that continue to benefit others even after we leave this world. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ (ص): إِذَا مَاتَ اِبْنُ آدَمَ اِنْقَطَعَ عَمَلُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ ثَلاَثٍ: صَدَقَةٍ جَارِيَةٍ، أَوْ عِلْمٍ يُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ، أَوْ وَلَدٍ صَالِحٍ يَدْعُو لَهُ.

“When the son of Adam dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge from which people continue to benefit, and a righteous child who prays for him.” (Al-Kāfī, Vol. 4, p. 25)

Educational Messages from the Hadith for Teenagers and Youth

1. Give Your Time to Others

Use some of your time and talents to help people around you.

Practical Challenge: Spend at least one hour this week using one of your skills to help someone.

2. Be an Ongoing Charity for Your Parents

Your good character and good deeds can become a continuous reward for your parents.

Practical Challenge: Choose one good habit this month that will make your parents proud and keep practising it.

3. Use Your Knowledge to Benefit Others

What you learn becomes more valuable when you use it to serve other people.

Practical Challenge: Offer whatever help or service you can to a charity this week.

4. Learn with the Right Intention

Study not only for success, but also to benefit others and seek Allah’s pleasure.

Practical Challenge: Before studying each day, make a sincere intention to use your knowledge for good.

5. Leave a Positive Mark Wherever You Go

Make your home, school, and friendships better because of your kindness and good example.

Practical Challenge: Start one positive habit in your class, family, or friendship group that others can continue.

6. Build Something That Lasts

Don’t only think about today. Try to do something that will help people even years from now.

Practical Challenge: This week, create one helpful resource (a study note, video, or guide) and share it with others.

7. Share What You Know

Even small pieces of useful knowledge can become a lasting reward when you teach others.

Practical Challenge: Teach one classmate or younger sibling something useful that they did not know before.

Educational Messages from the Hadith for Parents

1. Invest in Righteous Children

Make your children’s faith and character one of your highest priorities.

Practical Challenge: Set aside regular family time each week to nurture Islamic values and good manners.

2. Share Every Blessing Allah Has Given You

Use your wealth, knowledge, skills, experience, and influence to benefit others.

Practical Challenge: Choose one personal blessing and use it this month to support someone in need.

3. Let Your Children Join Your Good Deeds

Involve your children in acts of charity so they grow up loving to serve others.

Practical Challenge: Take your children with you the next time you give charity or volunteer in the community.

4. Be an Ongoing Charity for Your Own Parents

Honour your parents by living a righteous life that continues to bring them reward.

Practical Challenge: Perform one good deed this week and dedicate its reward to your parents while praying for them.

5. Teach Children to Pray

Encourage children to remember Allah and to make duʿāʾ for their parents throughout their lives.

Practical Challenge: At the end of each family prayer, invite your children to make a short supplication for their parents.

6. Create a Family Legacy

Families can continue earning reward by supporting projects that benefit future generations.

Practical Challenge: As a family, choose one long-term charitable project to support regularly, even with small contributions.

Educational Messages from the Hadith for Imams and Teachers

1. Introduce New Ways of Waqf

Teach that waqf is not limited to land or buildings; knowledge, technology, and community projects can also create lasting benefit.

Practical Challenge: Include one modern example of waqf in your next sermon or study circle.

2. Promote Beneficial Knowledge

Encourage people to seek and share knowledge that improves both faith and daily life.

Practical Challenge: End every lesson or sermon with one practical action that people can complete during the week.

3. Create Lasting Educational Projects

Educational work can become a continuous charity when it benefits future generations.

Practical Challenge: Begin one lasting initiative, such as writing useful study materials, producing educational content, supporting a learning centre, or establishing a valuable tradition in your classes.

4. Make Young People Your Priority

Investing in the next generation is one of the greatest ways to build a lasting legacy.

Practical Challenge: Invite a group of young people to join a regular mentoring or Islamic learning programme and support their personal growth.

5. Inspire Ongoing Good Deeds

Encourage people to start actions that continue benefiting others long after they begin.

Practical Challenge: Invite your community or students to take part in one lasting charity or educational project.