​What will they say about you when you go? ​

 

One of our favorite questions we ask our guests on The Barakah Effect podcast is, “What legacy would you like to leave behind?”

​To our surprise, several guests—including Dr. Ibrahim Nuhu, Dr. Ali Albarghouthi, and Ustaz Shareef El-Arbi—gave almost the exact same answer:

​“I want to be remembered among the righteous people that, 

‘he was a good man.’”

Why do they yearn for this? 

​The "Offline" Conversations

​Years ago, a senior leader retired. His farewell was grand: video testimonials, praise of his greatness, and "honored" colleagues.

​But as time passed, I heard a different side. In private conversations, remarks surfaced about stressful and frustrating experiences: “It was so difficult to work with him,” and “It’s a relief he finally left.” One person even remarked, “Everyone knows how he really was.”

I wonder: ​Are these “offline conversations” a truer reflection of a person? Is burning bridges the price of success? We must ask: Where do you place “people” in the wake of your resume of “achievements”?

​

“People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.”

​The Prophetic Perspective

​A funeral procession passed Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and people praised the deceased person. He said, "وَجَبَتْ" (Confirmed). 

Another janazah passed, but this time they spoke negatively of the deceased. 

He again said, "Confirmed."

The people wondered why he said "confirmed" for both deceased persons. ​He ﷺ explained:

شَهَادَةُ الْقَوْمِ، الْمُؤْمِنُونَ شُهَدَاءُ اللَّهِ فِي الأَرْضِ

​"The testimony of the people (is accepted), for the believers are the witnesses of Allah on Earth." (Al-Bukhari)

​This is sobering. Testimonials of righteous people matter. It’s not about a superficial facade; it’s about what they sincerely feel about you. This is why Prophet Ibrahim (AS) made the du’aa:

وَاجْعَل لِّى لِسَانَ صِدْقٍ فِى الاٌّخِرِينَ

“And grant me an honorable mention in later generations.” (26:84)

​The Final Smile

​As an Arab poet said: “O son of Adam, when you came into this world, you were crying and people around you were smiling in happiness. Live your life such that, when you leave this world, you are smiling in happiness, and people around you are crying.”

​When we retire, or when we die, how will we be remembered? What mark are we leaving in the hearts of others?