Alexander the Great is
known as the most powerful military leader and
conqueror of the ancient world. Before he turned
30 years old he conquered an empire stretching
over 3,000 miles from Greece to India. He was
born in 356 BC in Macedonia, known today as
northern Greece.
On his sickbed and during his last hour alive,
Alexander the Great told his generals "After my
death, when you put my body in the casket, let
my arms hang over the edges with my palms wide
open, so the public can see my empty hands while
I am leaving the world." After he died, many
dignitaries came to view the royal funeral and
were very surprised to see his arms hanging over
the edge of the casket with his palms wide open.
They asked questions about this unique scene. A
wise man told them "O People, Alexander the
Great is telling us that when he ruled the
world, great treasures of gold, silver and
wealth came to be under his possession. Yet,
indeed he is leaving the world empty handed."
Source: Partially extracted from the writtings
of JC Pinkerton.
Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him,
reported: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon
him) said: Three things follow the bier of a
dead man, two of them come back and one is left
with him: the members of his family, wealth and
his good deeds. The members of his family and
wealth come back while his deeds alone are left
with him. (Sahih Muslim).
