What Should Be Left for Our Children?

When Abdur Rahman ibn Qasim entered the court of Caliph Al-Mansur, the Caliph said:

“Offer me some advice.”

He replied:

“Let me share with you what I have seen…”

‘Umar ibn Abdul Aziz passed away leaving behind eleven sons — and only eighteen dinars.

From that amount:

Five were spent on his shroud,

Four on his grave,

And the remaining nine dinars were divided among his children.

In contrast, Hisham ibn Abdul Malik also left behind eleven sons,

but each son inherited one million dinars.

Yet what did time reveal?

One of ‘Umar’s sons was later seen donating one hundred horses in the path of Allah Almighty, 

while one of Hisham’s sons was found begging in the marketplace.

And when ‘Umar ibn Abdul Aziz was asked on his deathbed:

“What have you left behind for your children?”

He replied:

“I have left them taqwa (Piety).

If they are righteous, then they will be completely dependent on Allah Almighty and He is the best of all Providers. 

And if they turn out to be disobedient, then why should I contribute to their wrongdoing?”

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This story teaches us that true wealth is not material, but spiritual.

Worldly riches can perish — but piety, good character, and the fear of Allah can elevate generations.

If parents instil faith, honesty, trustworthiness, and awe of Allah in their children’s hearts rather than leaving behind fortunes,

then their children will never go astray.

Sustenance is in Allah’s Qudrah — the greatest inheritance is taqwa.

May Allah grant us the ability to act upon this, Ameen.

Shared by Mawlana Shakeel e Millat, 

London, UK.