Beneficial or Destructive Traces

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah [The Exalted] said:

إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نُحۡىِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ وَنَڪۡتُبُ مَا قَدَّمُواْ وَءَاثَـٰرَهُمۡۚ وَكُلَّ شَىۡءٍ أَحۡصَيۡنَـٰهُ فِىٓ إِمَامٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬

Verily, We give life to the dead, and We record that which they send before (them), and their traces, and that which they leave behind], and all things We have recorded with numbers (as a record) in a Clear Book. [Q 36:12]

[إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نُحۡىِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ – Verily, We give life to the dead]- Meaning, after their death, we’ll resurrect and recompense them for their deeds (1). [وَنَڪۡتُبُ مَا قَدَّمُواْ – and We record that which they send before (them)] – Meaning, good and evil, the deeds they did during their lifetime. (2)

[وَءَاثَـٰرَهُمۡۚ – and their traces]. Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: What they initiated of good or evil, thus they were followed by others after their death. (3)

Imam Al-Alusi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: What they left behind of good deeds, such as the knowledge they taught people, books they wrote, land they gave as endowment or a building they built in the path of Allah and other good deeds; or sins, such as establishment of laws that are tantamount to oppression and transgression, or setting up principles amongst the people that are tantamount to evil and corruption, and the evil Funoon [i.e. sciences, professions, crafts etc] they initiated and were revived after them by the corrupt people. (4)

Imam As-Sadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

It is the outcomes of good and evil are attributed to the actions taken during an individual’s lifetime and the consequences that follow their passing. These outcomes stem from their statements, actions, and the circumstances surrounding them. Any good deed performed by an individual through their knowledge, teachings, advice, or through enjoining good and forbidding evil, or the knowledge they imparted to learners, or in a book that is benefiited from during their lifetime and after death; or a good deed, such as Salah, Zakat, Sadaqah or acts of kindness that inspired others; or the construction of a mosque or any facility from which the people benefit and what is similar to this. Such actions will be recorded as good outcomes for them, just as negative actions will be recorded as evil outcomes. The Prophet stated, “Whoever initiates a good practice (i.e. something good and other than a Bidah) and others follow suit will receive their own reward, along with a reward equal to that of those who emulate them, without diminishing their own rewards. Conversely, whoever initiates a harmful practice, such as an innovation or sin that contradicts Islam, will bear the weight of their own sin, as well as a burden equal to that of those who follow them, without diminishing their own burdens.” [at-Tirmidhi, no. 2675]

This topic elucidates the elevated position associated with the calling to the path of Allah, guidance towards His way through all available means and avenues. In contrast, it highlights the contemptible status of the one who call for evil and lead others astray, and that he is the the most debased individual, having committed (one of the) the gravest crimes and the greatest sins. (5)

[1] & [2]: An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. Daar Ibn Hazm. 1st edition 1424AH (2003)

[3] An Excerpt from Bada’i at-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim 2/358. Daar Ibn Al-Jawziy 1431AH

[4] An Excerpt from Roohul Ma’aanee 12/325. Daar Al-Fikr. 1417AH (1997)

[5] An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. Daar Ibn Hazm. 1st Edition 1424AH (2003)