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Ibn Rajab's Monographs

The Three That Follow to the Grave

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About The Book

Abu Hurayrah rahimahullah, reported that Allah's Messenger, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said:

"When a human being dies, all of his deeds are terminated except for three types: an ongoing sadaqah, a knowledge (of Islam) from which others benefit, and a righteous child who makes du'a for him." - Muslim and others

Abu Qatadah, rahimahullah, reported that Allah's Messenger, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said:

"The best that a man can leave behind after his death are three things: a righteous child who makes du'a for him, an ongoing sadaqah whose rewards continue to reach him, and a knowledge that continues to be implemented after him." - Ibn Majah, and others. Verified to be sahih by Al-Mundhiri and Al-Albani

Abu Qatadah, rahimahullah, reported that Allah's Messenger, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said:

"Among the good deeds that continue to benefit a believer after death are: a knowledge that he taught and disseminated, a righteous child who lived after him, a Qur'an book that he left as inheritance a masjid that he built, a house that he built for the two wayfarers, a stream that he ran, or a charity that he gave from his wealth during his healthy lifetime so that it would reach him (in rewards) after death." - Ibn Majah and others. Verified hasan by Al-Mundhiri and Al-Albani

Commenting on this, Al-Mundhiri, rahimahullah, said:

"Some scholars say that the deeds of a human being end with his death. However, since he had caused these things (which are mentioned in the above ahadith), such as the earning of a child, disseminating the knowledge among those who take it from him, compiling a book that remains after him, or establishing a sadaqah, the rewards of these things continue to reach him as long as they continue to exist." - 'Awn al-Ma'bud, 8:86

The reason that one continues to receive rewards for these deeds even though they are done by other people, is that he had initiated them during his life or contributed to them to a certain degree, whether little or large. Since Allah does not neglect an atom's weight of deeds, He records these contribution for a person even after his death. Abu al-Wafa' ibn 'Aqil said:

"The best explanation for this in my view is that a human being, by his efforts and good conduct, had earned friends, produced children, married spouses, done good, and was amiable to the people. Because of this, they invoke mercy for him and do good on his behalf. All of this is then a result of his own earning." - Ar-Ruh, Ibn Al-Qayyim, p.171

About The Author

Imam Ibn Rajab al Hanbali (736 - 795 AH) was the noble Imam, the Hafidh, the Critic, Zayn-ud-Deen Abdur-Rahman bin Ahmad bin Abdir-Rahman bin al-Hasan bin Muhammad bin Abil-Barakat Masud As-Salami Al-Baghdadi (due to his place of birth), Al-Hanbali (due to his madh-hab), Ad-Dimashqi (due to his place of residence and death). His kunyah was Abul-Faraj, and his nickname was Ibn Rajab, which was the nickname of his grandfather who was born in that month (of Rajab).

He was born in Baghdad in 736H and was raised by a knowledgeable family, firmly rooted in knowledge, nobility and righteousness. His father played the greatest role in directing him towards the beneficial knowledge.

He was deeply attached to the works of Shaikh-ul-Islam Ibn Taimiyyah, for he would issue legal rulings according to them and would constantly reference his books.

This is since he served as a student under Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, the most outstanding student of Shaikh-ul-Islam Ibn Taimiyyah, may Allah have mercy on all of them.

But in spite of this, he (rahimahullah) wasn't a blind follower or a fanatical adherent (to his teacher). Rather, he would review, authenticate, verify and follow the evidences.

Al-Hafidh Ibn Rajab, may Allah have mercy on him passed to the realm of the Akhira in Ramadan, 795H. He died while in Damascus.

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

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149 people want to read

About the author

ابن رجب الحنبلي

133 books182 followers
ابن رجب الحنبلي (736- 795 هـ) هو الإمام الحافظ العلَّامة زين الدين عبد الرحمن بن أحمد بن عبد الرحمن بن الحسن بن محمد بن أبي البركات مسعود السلامي البغدادي الدمشقي الحنبلي، أبو الفرج الشهير بابن رجب، عالم دين مسلم، ومحدِّث وفقيه حنبلي. اشتهر بشرحه على الأربعون النووية وكان أيضًا المؤلف لكتاب «فتح الباري».

وُلد ابن رجب في بغداد، سنة 736هـ، لأسرة علمية عريقة في العلم والإمامة في الدين.

ثم قدِمَ إلى دمشق وهو صغير سنة 744هـ، وأجازه ابن النقيب، وسمع بمكة على الفخر عثمان بن يوسف، واشتغل بسماع الحديث باعتناء والده. وحدَّث عن محمد بن الخبَّاز، وإبراهيم ابن داود العطَّار، وأبي الحرم محمد بن القلانسي.

وسمع بمصر من صدر الدين أبي الفتح الميدومي، ومن جماعة من أصحاب ابن البُخاري. فأُتيح له تحصيل العلم على أكابر علماء عصره، ونبغ فيه وعلا شأنه في علم الحديث، وبلغ درجة الإمامة في فنونه، بل في أعمقها وأجلِّها، وهو علم الإسناد وعلم العلل، حتى قصده طلَّاب العلم.

وأما في الفقه فقد برع فيه حتى صار من أعلام المذهب الحنبلي، ويشهد على ذلك كتابه (القواعد الفقهية).

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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for niyya نية.
340 reviews272 followers
May 15, 2025
̨ ╭╯ꗃ 05. 15. 25 ˚﹒

︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ post-read

╰› ┆ "Live as you want, for you will die. Love who you want, for you will leave him. Do what you want, for you will meet your actions. And be however you wish. And as you do, you will be recompensed."┆

the translation is a tad bit wordy so I did get lost a few times, but other than that this was such a good book alhamdulillah 🥹 it serves so many reminders of the grave and life in this dunya, and I needed those reminders. couple of snippets of the book below 💗

"Everyone has two homes, a home that he sees, and a home he does not. So do not be distracted by your present home that you will only stay in for a short time, over your house you cannot see, that you will live a long life in."

"Take heed from the lessons of those who were before you, before you become a lesson for those who will come after you."

"Despite all this, the worldly life is dearer to your heart than your own soul is, even though after you die you shall become more insignificant than even the ground below your feet."

"A man may do the deeds of the people of Paradise, or so it may seem to the people, although he is one of the people of Hell. And a man may do the deeds of the people of Hell, or so it may seem to the people, although he is one of the people of Paradise."

"Nothing occurs, either in this Earth or in yourselves, without its being in a Book before We make it happen. That is so that you will not be grieved about the things that pass you by or exult about the things that come to you." - Qur'an (57:22)

"If you are afflicted with something, do not say 'If only I had done this, such and such would have happened,' rather say, "Allah decreed and did what He willed.'"

"In both times times of ease and difficulty, be content with Allah's decree, it will decrease your distress and serve you better in your pursuit of the Hereafter."


̨ ╭╯ꗃ 05. 14. 25 ˚﹒

︵࣪ ˖ ໒꒱ pre-read

╰› picking this up after a month because i've hit post-ramadan depression !! i fell so off my deen and i'm facing the harsh reality of it now- it's really ugly just so you know 💗 so time to get back on that grind inshallah 🙏🏽
Profile Image for Heba.
1,245 reviews3,090 followers
November 24, 2022
ليتنا نتذكر بأن من خرج منا إلى سفر طويل بلا زاد ندم فلا ينفع الندم ولربما هلك ، فما بالنا بمن رحل إلى سفر الآخرة حيث دار المُقام بلا زاد ؟!!
يقول النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم " يتبع الميت ثلاث ، فيرجع اثنان ويبقى واحد : يتبعه أهله ، وماله ، وعمله ، فيرجع أهله وماله ويبقى عمله "
فأما الأهل بعد موت العبد يتقاسمون الميراث وقد لا يقضون دينه ومن يحزن عليه بالنواح يعذبه في قبره ، سبحان الله لا ينفع منهم إلا من استغفر له ودعا له دعاء صالحاً...
وأما المال فلا ينتفع العبد منه إلا بما قدمه لنفسه وأنفقه في سبيل الله وأما ما أنفقه في المعاصي أو أمسكه شُحاً فقد هلك به....
يقول تعالى في كتابه العزيز " وَالَّذِينَ يَكْنِزُونَ الذَّهَبَ وَالْفِضَّةَ وَلَا يُنفِقُونَهَا فِى سَبٍيلِ اللهِ فَبَشِرْهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلٍيمٍ • يَوْمَ يُحْمَى عَلَيْهَا فِى نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ فَتُكْوَى بِهَا جِبَاهُهُمْ وَجُنُوبُهُمْ وَظُهُورُهُمْ هَذَا مَا كَنَزْتُمْ لِأَنفُسِكُمْ فَذُوقُوا مَا كُنتُمْ تَكْنِزُونَ "
ألا تلاحظ معي بأن ذكرت جباههم أولاً ثم جنوبهم وظهورهم ، سمعت يوماً من أحدهم بأن من يُمسك عن أداء حقوق الله تراه عندما يلتقي بسائلٍ يقطب جبينه ومن ثم يلوي جنبه وأخيراً يدير ظهره ، سبحان من أراد العذاب لهم خصيصاً جزاء وفاقاً للإعراض...
وأخيراً من يبق مع العبد هو العمل في القبر وعند المقام بين يدي الله حيث الميزان والحساب والمآل إلى الجنة أو النار..
يقول تعالى " مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحاً فَلِنَفْسِهِ وَمَنْ أَسَاءً فَعَلَيْهَا "
والحمد لله بأننا نقف يوم الحساب بين يديّ ربنا تبارك وتعالى فلا نخاف ظُلماً ولا هضماً...
رسالة قصيرة عظيمة الفائدة وبها من التذكرة للاستعداد ليوم الرحيل إلى دار المُستقر....
اسأل الله لي ولكم أن يجعل خير أعمالنا خواتيمها وخير أيامنا يوم أن نلقاه ويجيرنا من خزي الدنيا ومن عذاب الآخرة....آمييين
Profile Image for hanifah ౨ৎ.
4 reviews14 followers
March 31, 2025
“You have only a few more moments to enjoy before your grey hair cuts off the necklace of life, so pick up the falling beads and give up on foolish hopes, for it is time to work hard to mend some of these falling beads. You life melts away like snow melts, and your laziness and indifference is even colder than ice.”

“Take heed from the lesson of those who were before you, before you become a lesson for those who will come after you.”

“plant (good deeds) during the spring of your life before the onset of sterility afflicts the field that is your body, and amass [good deeds] in your period of capability, setting them aside before the time of weakness and incapability arrives.”

“When you are in the assembly [at which sermons and religious reminders are given] you awake from the intoxication of this worldly life briefly, but it is not long before you start to crave again for the heat of its wine.”
Profile Image for leen .
7 reviews2 followers
December 7, 2023
“Whoever goes on a journey without any provisions will regret when he is need of his provisions, but this regret will not benefit him in the least, and perhaps he would even perish. So how about a person that takes the long and difficult journey to the Afterlife without any provisions!”

“So the intelligent person is the one who prepares his home that he will live in forever. Even if he were to prepare his eternal home by destroying his worldly home that he will shortly leave, he would still be profitable.”

"Who is it that avoids the sun and dirt,
out of fear of the dust and hardship,
He loves to stay in the shade to retain his beauty,
one day he will be forced to live in a grave!
In the shade of the graveyard,
dusty and dark, he will have a lengthy stay,
Prepare yourself before your death with
a provision that will help you reach your destination,
O soul, you were not prepared without a purpose!"

“I wonder at a person standing at the foot of a bridge for so long that he forgets the name of the town across it, which he was meaning to get to. Woe to you, though the pleasures of this worldly life are sweet and tempting, know that the questioning over it will be strict and severe.”
Profile Image for Azura.
70 reviews1 follower
November 20, 2021
This book is little in pages but big in content. I read this during one of the hardest phase in my life this year & I cannot emphasize enough that we need to take a step back & reflect on what truly matters. And this book provides just it. May Allah have mercy on the author Rahimahullah.
Profile Image for eny.
160 reviews
March 27, 2023
"O son of Adam, live as you want, for you will die. Love who you want, for you will leave him. Do what you want, for you will meet your actions. And be however you wish. And as you do, you will be recompensed.”
Profile Image for THANA.
320 reviews95 followers
Read
July 26, 2024
من كان حين تصيب الشمس جبهته
أو الغبار يخاف الشَّين والشعثا
ويألف الظل كي تبقى بشاشته
فسوف يسكن يوما راغما جدثا
في ظل مقبرة غبراء مظلمة
يطيل تحت الثرى في غمها اللبثا
Profile Image for Ahlam.
12 reviews
September 3, 2024
من قدَّم اليوم شيئا قدِم عليه غدًا، ومن لم يُقدم شيئا قدِم على غير شيء، فطال فقدهُ في دار الإقامة!!
Profile Image for جويرية.
3 reviews
March 6, 2023
A short but and well detailed book on the works of Imam ibn Rajab al Hanbali رحمة الله, this Worldly life is unsuitable for settlement and we forget how we should truly be working towards our true home in the hereafter.

“This worldly life is dearer to your head than your own soul is, even though after you die you shall become more insignificant than even the ground below your feet”

A poetry states

“O gatherer of wealth,
What have you prepared for the dug grave?
Is a person who is departing for a journey
Heedless of their provision?”

May Allah ﷻ easen our hardships and keep us steadfast on the correct path.

Whoever does righteousness-it is for his [own] soul; and whoever does evil [does so] against it..”

41:46
Profile Image for أسمـاء.
80 reviews6 followers
August 10, 2025
تَمَّ بفضل الله

كُتِبَ في الهامش:

فتنبه أيها الغافل لأمرك قبل أن ترهن بعملك في قبرك، وتزود لطول سفرتك بك في حفرتك، وتأهب بتحويل عدتك قبل مدتك، قبل حلول الآجال، وورود الأهوال قبل القيامة، قبل أن تحاط في قبرك بالأعمال، وينصرف مشيعوك بالآمال، يتحدثون في قسمة ما خلفت من العقار والأموال.
Profile Image for Aishah Zain.
4 reviews118 followers
September 18, 2022
I feel like the uruf is not similar to mine, I only like the last appendix the rest was just fine for me
Profile Image for lovelyi.
29 reviews
September 17, 2023
so many good benefits in here. please have a read. my favorite was the virtues of patience
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