successfully, in the accounting of deeds, and in protection from the torment of Hell. Therefore, give importance to good deeds.

Three types of friends

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, “Three things go with the deceased: his family, his wealth, and his deeds. Two of these return, while one remains with the deceased. The family and wealth return, whereas his deeds remain with him.”^[1]

Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ states: “When a person dies, the angels ask: ‘مَا قَدَّمَ’ What has he sent ahead? And people ask: ‘مَا خَلَّفَ’ What has he left behind?”^[2] This means that at the time of death, the heirs are concerned about the wealth left behind, as to what is left for them. Meanwhile, the angels who come to take the soul examine the person’s deeds and beliefs.^[3]

O devotees of the Prophet! Wisdom demands that we leave behind the concern for this world and instead engage in righteous deeds. Of the wealth which we spend our entire lives accumulating, only that which we spend belongs to us. Whatever remains will not be ours but will belong to our heirs.

Remember! Money is not loyal to anyone; it is truly the dirt of the hands. Even if we save millions of pounds in our life, we can only use as much as we can actually spend. This can be understood from the following example: if a person is feeling hungry and a large pot of biryani is cooking in front of him, its aroma attracting his heart and mind, he might wish to eat the entire pot. Yet, after eating just a few plates, he is full. Sometimes the stomach is full but the heart is not satisfied; one desires to eat more, but it is impossible because the stomach cannot hold any more.

Similarly, no matter how much wealth we earn, whether it is millions or billions of pounds, we can only consume as much as suffices. Likewise, only the amount of cloth that is required is used to make a suit. In short, regardless of