What distinguishes beneficial knowledge from other righteous deeds

Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan said:

I heard Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem [Aal ash-Shaykh] رحمه الله at a talk he delivered at some of the special events [which took place] at the Faculty of Sharee’ah [at Imaam Muhammad University in Riyadh]. He brought this hadeeth* [up for discussion] and [he] said that the ongoing charity may [well] cease, and the righteous child will die – meaning that their benefits will come to an end. However, beneficial knowledge continues and does not cease; its benefit continues, and [likewise] the reward for the one who conveyed it. And this is what distinguishes [beneficial] knowledge from other righteous deeds.

* Abu Hurayrah reported the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said:

«When a person dies, his deeds end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.»

– Saheeh Muslim, no.1631

Translation originally published on 4 January, 2021.