يَتْبَعُ الْمَيِّتَ ثَلَاثَةٌ، فَيَرْجِعُ اثْنَانِ، وَيَبْقَى مَعَهُ وَاحِدٌ: يَتْبَعُهُ أَهْلُهُ، وَمَالُهُ، وَعَمَلُهُ، فَيَرْجِعُ أَهْلُهُ، وَمَالُهُ، وَيَبْقَى عَمَلُهُ
Three things follow the deceased; two return and one remains with him: his family, wealth, and deeds follow him. His family and wealth return, while his deeds remain.
Source: البخاري ومسلم
يَتْبَعُ means “follows,” يَرْجِعُ “returns,” and يَبْقَى “remains.” The narration names three followers: أَهْلُهُ (family), مَالُهُ (wealth), and عَمَلُهُ (deeds). It then explains that two return while one remains.
The contrast between ثَلَاثَةٌ (“three”) and اثْنَانِ (“two”) makes the message easy to remember: worldly companionship has limits, while a person's deeds have lasting consequences. This is a reminder of accountability in the Hereafter.