The dead person is followed by three: His family, his wealth and his deeds. Then two of them come back: His family and his wealth, and there remain only his deeds
Chapter: Excellence of Leading an Ascetic Life, and Virtues of Simple Life
AuthenticMuttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim)Riyad as-Salihin 460
وعنه عن رسول الله ، صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “يتبع الميت ثلاثة: أهله وماله وعمله: فيرجع اثنان ويبقى واحد: يرجع أهله وماله ويبقى عمله". ((متفق عليه)) .
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The dead person is followed by three: His family, his wealth and his deeds. Then two of them return: His family and his wealth, and there remain only his deeds."
Reported by Al-Bukhari (No. 6514), Muslim (No. 2960), At-Tirmidhi (No. 2379), An-Nasa’i (No. 1937) and Ahmad (No. 11637). Cited in Riyad as-Salihin (No. 460).
When someone dies, his funeral attenders follow him - his family follows him to his grave, and his wealth follow him - his slaves and servants that he owns; and his deeds follow him. Then two return; his family and property, whereas his deeds remain with him. If they are good deeds, then he will find goodness; if they are evil deeds, then he will find evil.
Explanation in Arabic
معنى الحديث: إذا مات الإنسان تبعه المشيعون له؛ فيتبعه أهله يشيعونه إلى قبره، ويتبعه ماله: أي عبيده وخدمه المماليك له، ويتبعه عمله معه، فيرجع اثنان، ويبقى معه عمله، فإن كان خيرًا فخير وإن كان شرًّا فشر.
الحث على فعل ما يبقى مع الإنسان، وهو العمل الصالح ليكون أنيسه في قبره، إذا رجع أهله وماله.
Scholars’ grades
Original grading term, without a named scholar: صحيح
Other versions
AuthenticMuttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim)Sahih al-Bukhari 6514