In today’s world, discussions about legacy have become increasingly shaped by secular and capitalist ideals. Many Muslims and even Islamic organisations now speak of legacy in terms of wealth, power, and influence, reducing it to material accomplishments. There is a growing trend where building a legacy is equated with accumulating financial assets, establishing institutions under one’s name, or attaining recognition- sometimes at the expense of morality and sincerity.
This distorted understanding has led to a culture where people not only chase wealth but also elevate those who possess it, often equating financial success with knowledge and leadership. Individuals are given platforms and authority based solely on their economic status, even when they lack proper grounding in Islamic tradition. This has created a dangerous precedent where wealth, rather than piety, sincerity, and service, becomes the defining measure of a person’s contribution.
However, from an Islamic perspective, true legacy is not about personal glorification or self-promotion. It is not about having one’s name on buildings, institutions, or charitable organisations. Rather, it is about sincerity, continuous good deeds, and the lasting impact we leave behind that benefits others for the sake of Allah alone.
Legacy in Islam: Beyond Personal Ownership
Many people believe that if they establish a charity, a community project, or even a mosque, it becomes their personal legacy. This is a misconception. Any project established for the public good belongs to the community, not an individual. Yes, the person who initiates it will, inshaAllah, receive immense reward if done with sincerity. However, they cannot claim ownership over it in a way that ties it to their personal legacy in the secular sense.
A true leader understands that their work is not about them. The Prophet (ﷺ) established the Islamic community in Medina, built a masjid, and laid the foundations of governance- not for his own personal recognition, but for the ummah. His legacy was not in a name attached to institutions but in the transformation of people’s hearts and actions.
The problem arises when organisations or initiatives created for public benefit are tied too closely to an individual’s identity, making it seem as though they are personal achievements. We must ask ourselves:
– Are we seeking to serve the community, or are we seeking to have our name remembered?
– Are we helping build something for the sake of Allah, or do we want to be known as its founder?
– Do we see our contributions as part of the greater ummah’s success, or do we want to claim sole credit?
The reality is that no single individual builds an organisation alone. It is always a collective effort. The moment a project is established for public welfare, it ceases to be a personal achievement and becomes a trust (amanah) for the entire community. If an organisation, a masjid, or a school depends solely on one person’s name and presence, it means it was built on personal branding rather than a sincere commitment to the greater good.
The True Meaning of Legacy in Islam
The Prophet (ﷺ) defined true legacy in simple but profound terms:
“When a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three things: continuous charity, knowledge from which others benefit, and a righteous child who prays for them.” ( Muslim)
This hadith outlines three core elements of a lasting, meaningful legacy:
1. Sadaqah Jariyah (Ongoing Charity)- Any good deed that continues to benefit others after a person’s death. This could be something as small as planting a tree or as large as funding a hospital. The key factor is that it must serve others beyond the lifetime of the giver.
2. Beneficial Knowledge– Teaching, spreading wisdom, and leaving behind knowledge that guides others toward goodness. This can be religious knowledge, moral values, or practical skills that help people in their lives.
3. Righteous Children- The family is the most personal legacy a person can leave behind. Raising children with strong faith and character ensures that one’s good influence continues for generations.
Notably, none of these categories mention fame, personal recognition, or having one’s name attached to projects. The most valuable legacy in Islam is what remains with Allah, not what remains in history books or on people’s lips.
Breaking Free from the Secular Mindset of Legacy
Many people associate legacy with worldly achievements, aspiring to be like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, or other figures whose names are etched into history. However, even the greatest inventors and thinkers are eventually forgotten.
“They believe that their wealth will make them live forever” 104:3)
Wealth gives people a false sense of security. They believe that their money, status, and possessions will grant them permanence, shielding them from the inevitable passage of time. This illusion fuels their obsession with fame, influence, and self-preservation. They invest in their legacy, thinking their name will outlive them, yet they forget that true permanence belongs only to Allah.
No amount of wealth can buy an extra moment when death arrives. Instead of seeking immortality through worldly riches, the wise invest in what endures beyond this life- faith, good deeds, and the remembrance of Allah. Because in the end, it is not wealth that grants eternal life, but the mercy of our Creator.
Islam provides a different perspective. The Qur’an compares a good deed to a good tree whose roots are firm and whose branches reach the sky, continuously bearing fruit (14:24-25). The impact of a sincere action can last far beyond a person’s lifetime, even if their name is not remembered.
On the Day of Judgment, some people will be surprised to see a mountain of good deeds in their record and will ask:
“O Allah, I did not do all of this!”
And Allah will reply:
“You taught someone one good word, who then taught another, and so on. Every letter, every act of kindness, and every sincere effort was counted for you.”
A true legacy is not in having one’s name remembered- it is in every unseen good deed that continues to ripple through time.
The Role of Sincerity in Building a Lasting Legacy
Everything begins with sincerity. A seemingly small act done purely for Allah can outweigh grand achievements done for personal recognition.
There is a well known hadith about a person who lived a sinful life but saw a thirsty dog and gave it water. That single act of sincere compassion was enough for Allah to forgive all their sins and grant them Paradise.
This does not mean that simply feeding a dog will erase all wrongdoing, but it highlights the power of sincerity. A single moment of genuine goodness can transform a person’s destiny.
The Legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (AS): Thinking Beyond Oneself
One of the greatest examples of legacy in Islam is Prophet Ibrahim (AS). In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:124), Allah says:
“And [remember] when Ibrahim was tested by his Lord with commands, and he fulfilled them. Allah said, ‘Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people.’ [Ibrahim] said, ‘And of my descendants?’ Allah said, ‘My covenant does not include the wrongdoers.’”
Ibrahim (AS) did not ask about his own status or rewards- his first concern was about those who would come after him. This is the mindset of true legacy. He was not thinking about personal recognition but about securing faith for future generations.
Building a Collective Legacy
As Muslims, we must move beyond the individualistic, self-centered notion of legacy that dominates modern thought. Islam teaches us to work together, as Allah says:
“And cooperate in righteousness and piety.” (5:2)
A meaningful legacy is not about leaving behind personal monuments or securing a place in history- it is about collective service, sincere contributions, and ensuring that goodness continues long after we are gone.
May Allah guide us to leave behind a legacy that pleases Him, benefits humanity, and grants us eternal reward in the Hereafter. Ameen.
