Said by: Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (as)
Status: ✅ Verified reference
Reference: Al-Kafi (Shaykh al-Kulayni), Volume 7, Kitab al-Wasaya (Book of Bequests), Chapter 36 (Things that Reach a Deceased after his Death), Hadith 1.
Arabic:
لَيْسَ يَتْبَعُ الرَّجُلَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ إِلَّا ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ: صَدَقَةٌ أَجْرَاهَا فِي حَيَاتِهِ فَهِيَ تَجْرِي بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ، وَسُنَّةُ هُدًى سَنَّهَا فَهِيَ يُعْمَلُ بِهَا بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ، أَوْ وَلَدٌ صَالِحٌ يَدْعُو لَهُ
English translation:
"Nothing of the reward follows a person after his death except three things: a charity that he set running in his lifetime, so it keeps flowing after his death; a good way (Sunnah) of guidance that he established, so people act on it after his death; or a righteous child who prays for him."
Explanation: Death stops our own actions, but it does not stop everything. A charity that keeps helping people, a good habit we taught others, and a child we raised well who prays for us — these keep bringing reward. A beginner can start all three in this life, even in small ways.
Death stops our own actions, but it does not stop everything.