Acts of Sadaqah Jariyah in Islam

What is Sadaqah?

Many actions in Islam can lead to immeasurable rewards – both today and in the hereafter. These actions are commonly known as charity. Sadaqah is very important and a big part of Islam. There are various ways to give charity in Islam, and Sadaqah Jariyah is one of them. Let’s dive in and learn more about this wonderful topic.

Allah Almighty says in the Quran;

Hazrat Ali (RA) reported that:

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Give the sadaqa without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.”

[Mishkat al-Masabih 1887]

What is Sadaqah Jariyah?

The original Arabic translation of Sadaqah Jariyah is flowing, an ongoing charity and perpetual charity. It is a continuous form of charity that keeps benefiting its recipients even after the donor has passed away. This perpetual act of giving not only provides ongoing charitable help but also earns a divine reward for the donor, even beyond their life on earth.

Read more about the Benefits of Sadqah.

Importance of Sadaqah Jariyah in Islam

It is important to earn blessings, make a lasting difference, and leave a legacy of goodness for others. It plays a crucial role in continuously improving the community by meeting ongoing needs, contributing to its development, promoting well-being, and helping those in need. Ongoing Charity is of greater importance in Islam because of the permanence of rewards, the lasting effects it produces, its role in spiritual growth, and its contribution to the welfare of society.

Hadith about Sadaqah Jariyah

In times of hardship, Muslims are encouraged to give Ongoing Charity. It shows strong faith and gratitude to Allah (SWT), with the belief that He will change things for the better.

Acts of Sadaqah Jariyah are like a gift that keeps on giving. It’s more than just a one-time act of kindness; instead, it’s a way of helping that brings ongoing benefits or rewards over time.

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased).”

[Riyad as-Salihin 1383]

Sadaqah Jariyah for Deceased

Sadaqah Jariyah for the deceased means ongoing charity that continues to benefit them even after they’ve passed away. This can come from things someone did while they were alive that keep helping others, or from actions others do in their name to benefit the deceased. Many people choose to dedicate acts of charity to their deceased parents.

Constructing a mosque, or water well, or sponsoring continual charitable initiatives such as ongoing projects or water pumps in the name of the deceased is considered among the most impactful forms of Ongoing Charity.

Acts of Sadaqah Jariyah in Islam

There are many acts of Ongoing Charity, some of them are:

1. Digging a Well

Today, millions of people around the world have little or no access to clean drinking water. You can donate to an Islamic charity such as one that aims to provide the needy with access to clean, safe, healthy water by building water wells and hand pumps.

Even though it’s easy to do, it can change lives for people in places without water. Your help keeps giving as long as it helps others, and the good things you do bring ongoing rewards. A truly effective form of Sadaqah Jariyah.

Sa’d ibn ‘Ubadah Narrated that:

“I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah (saw), my mother has died; shall I give in charity on her behalf?’ He said: ‘Yes.’ I said: ‘What kind of charity is best?’ He said: ‘Providing drinking water.'”

[Sunan an-Nasa’i 3664]

2. Plating Tree

Planting a tree in Islam is considered a sadaah jariyah. Trees have numerous benefits for the environment and society. They help reduce soil erosion, improve air quality, and provide food and shade.

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said, “There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari 2320]

The virtue of planting trees in charity is beneficial for both this world and the hereafter.

3. Building the Mosque

Many Muslims choose to donate to the construction of a Mosque to receive significant rewards. In return, your rewards will continue as long as others benefit from your generosity. Every prayer offered in the mosque will reward you.

To pray Salah, we must pray Salah daily five times. So, for praying salah, it is very important to build Mosques.

Jabir bin ‘Abdullah said:

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Whoever builds a mosque for the sake of Allah, like a sparrow’s nest for Allah or even smaller, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.”

[Sunan Ibn Majah 738]

4. Education or Raising Islamic Awareness

Spreading knowledge in Islam is highly rewarded and as Muslims, we are responsible for sharing the correct knowledge of Islam and inviting others to faith. When you tell someone a true religious truth and they follow it, if they then tell that truth to someone else, you get rewarded each time this happens.

If you teach someone to read the Holy Quran, you continue to receive rewards even after you’re gone, just like when that person reads or teaches it to others. The rewards accrue for each individual involved in this chain of knowledge-sharing.

This is a very important belief of Muslims in Life after death.

5. Sponsoring an Orphan

Sponsoring an orphan is considered Sadaqah Jariyah in Islam, providing them with crucial necessities such as food, education, and healthcare. These essentials have a lasting, positive impact on their life and future. Acts of Sadaqah Jariyah are believed to continue benefiting you with ongoing rewards even after you’ve passed away—a beautiful way to create lasting, positive change in someone’s life.

Benefits of Sadaqah Jariyah

Sadaqah jariyah offers many benefits some of them are;

• It is a way of purifying the soul and seeking forgiveness for one’s sins.
• It removes evil eyes and wards off calamity.
• This will be a great source of comfort on the Day of Resurrection.
• It is an investment in this life and our hereafter, which opens the gates of Paradise for charitable believers.
• It is a way to increase wealth and overall blessings in one’s life.
• It is a way of earning constant rewards beyond the grave.
• It brings a sense of inner peace, knowing that we are doing a favor, benefiting the wider Ummah for generations to come.
• Giving charity in times of difficulty and ease helps the believer in times of need.

Difference between Sadaqah and Sadaqah Jariyah

Sadaqah is a short-term charity, such as Giving a food package to a needy family to help them get through a short time.

Sadaqah Jariyah is a long-term charity. Engaging in this kind of charity brings incredible rewards, as we receive blessings while alive and even after we’re gone.

An example of Sadaqah Jariyah is building or contributing to constructing a well or water pump in a needy community. This will provide a sustainable source of clean water for the neighborhood, benefiting future generations. The ongoing benefits of this act of Sadaqah will continue to increase even after the donor is no longer alive.

Read our very detailed blog on Islamic Charity: Sadaqah, Zakat, and More.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Read our blog about the Janazah-Funeral Prayer.