Our good deeds, not riches, will be our lasting legacy

“In March, the King of Pop was crowned with one of the most lucrative posthumous recording contracts in history. The Jackson estate is guaranteed to earn between $200 and $250 million after signing a deal with Sony Music Entertainment bosses to release 10 Jackson albums between 2010 and 2017.

“The projects will consist of a collection of reissues and previously unreleased Jackson songs.” So read the words on the late Michael Jackson — Wow, I thought, even after his passing, MJ is still making money!

On that I began to reflect — “wonder what I will keep on going when I’m gone. I know for a fact, it certainly won’t be money!  Then with us just celebrating National Heroes Day, I thought of Dame Lois Browne Evans — indeed her deeds continue to benefit Bermuda; and I hardly think I will ever be on the books as a ‘national hero’!

I continued to ponder on what I could or would leave as a mark that I had lived. Suddenly, I remembered from my readings and study of the Quran the following: Then, as to those who believed and did righteous deeds, their Lord will admit them to His Mercy: That will be the Achievement for all to see. Surah 45:30. 

I realized then and there, it is only my good deeds that will remain and yet go with me at the same time — how amazing. Certainly, it is our deeds that will live on or the actions from our deeds and truly the only thing that we will take with us to our graves to be judged by the King of Kings. The Quran goes on to say: For those who believe and work righteous deeds there is a reward that will never fail. Surah 41:8

There are many examples in the Quran for the benefits of good deeds: Whoever works righteousness, man or woman and has faith, we will give him a life that is good and pure and we will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions. Sura 16:97.

Likewise there are also many examples and consequences for bad deeds.

Whoever works evil will be requited accordingly. Nor will he find besides Allah, any protector or helper. Sura 4:123

If any does evil, the doers of evil are only punished to the extent of their deeds. Sura 28:84

So whilst I may not leave richest and wealth, I pray that Allah will guide me to do only actions of good deeds and that they will be of benefit for those left behind as I know that they will benefit me even in the hereafter.