What is Sadaqah Jariyah?
Sadaqah Jariyah is an ongoing charity. It is one of the most rewarding deeds we can do in our lives, since we can gain reward for it while we are alive and after we have passed.
Why is Sadaqah Jariyah important in Islam?
Sadaqah Jariyah is a gift that not only benefits others in this life but also benefits us and our loved ones in the next.
(Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ, narrated by Muslim)
“When a person dies, all their deeds end except three: a continuing charity, beneficial knowledge and a child who prays for them.”
Therefore, when you give Sadaqah Jariyah in your name/the name of a loved one, even after death the blessings continue.
What are the benefits of Sadaqah Jariyah?
Allah tells us in the Qur’an that the reward of spending in charity is like:
“A grain of corn which grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains”
- [Qur'an, 2:261]
For example, water projects is one act of charity keeps multiplying, bringing more and more benefit and reward. As a result, when a community has water, we see families grow food, healthy children attend school, clean hospitals … and the list goes on!
InshaAllah, we hope that our sustainable water projects not only provide water for years to come. But also instil beneficial knowledge for entire communities that can be passed onto future generations.
What is the difference between Sadaqah and Sadaqah Jariyah?
Sadaqah is an act of kindness that you donate. For example, it can be anything from money to your time towards helping a cause. Sadaqah Jariyah is a long-term kindness that accrues ongoing reward from Allah (SWT).
When someone decides to build a well as an act of Sadaqah Jariyah, they are rewarded for the act. But they are also rewarded every time someone or something uses or drinks from the well. Donate Sadaqah Jariyah, and you can accrue rewards from Allah (SWT) for beyond your lifetime.
Other examples can be found in everything from teaching someone an ayah of the Qur’an, or supporting our sustainable water projects, like drip irrigation systems, to ensure that families are able to grow crops for years to come.
Why do Muslims give Sadaqah Jariyah?
Helping those who are less fortunate is a key tenet of the Islamic faith. Muslims give Sadaqah Jariyah because it helps our sisters and brothers in humanity, and in doing so, we gain the reward of Allah (SWT).
Muslims are encouraged to give Sadaqah Jariyah for as long as the donation continues to benefit others. The donor will reap the reward of it, whatever it may be. This could last beyond the donor’s lifetime, and potentially even generations.
Examples of Sadaqah Jariyah?
Sadaqah Jariyah is any form of ongoing charity (gesture or donation) that benefits others. Examples include building an orphanage or a medical care centre.
Here are seven examples of Sadaqah Jariyah:
- Teaching someone a valuable skill
- Building an institution of good, such as a mosque, school, or hospital
- Building a means of provision, such as a well
- Teaching someone valuable knowledge, through books, lessons etc.
- Planting a tree
- Creating farmland
- Creating a home or shelter for people or animals
- Inventing something of use for people or animals
How Islamic Relief uses your Sadaqah Jariyah donations
For many of the world’s most vulnerable, your Sadaqah Jariyah donations are a lifeline.
When you provide a Sadaqah Jariyah donation to Islamic Relief, you can change the future of an orphan in need, who, through your vital donations, is provided with a way home to food, shelter, an education, and a chance at a brighter future.
It can help provide sustainable long-term water provisions that can benefit individuals, families, and entire communities for many years to come.
Your donations can also provide livelihoods to thousands of people and communities, helping to break the poverty cycle and lifting individuals in need into wellbeing.
Sadaqah Jariyah is what today’s international development sector calls ‘sustainable development’, which is something that was promoted by Islam over 1400 years ago. It encompasses the majority of the sustainable development programmes carried out by both Islamic Relief and other NGOs today.
Your Sadaqah Jariyah donations are simply transformative.
When should you give Sadaqah Jariyah?
At any time of the year you can give Sadaqah Jariyah. It is often common to give in the name of a loved one after their death or when ill to bless their record of good deeds in the next life without taking away from your good deeds either.
Good deeds undertaken in the months of Ramadan and Dhul Hijjah are also particularly special.
Sadaqah Jariyah FAQs
Here’s a list of Frequently Asked Questions that you can use for further guidance:
Sadaqah Jariyah is used towards our Canada and global projects here at Islamic Relief. These are for the benefit of the poor and needy (both Muslim and non-Muslim).
Sadaqah Jariyah is a beautiful act of charity because of the multitude of benefits inherent in the act.
It benefits the donor, who gains reward in this life and as long as the charity benefits others – this could be beyond their lifetime. Giving charity of any kind, is also known to enhance the wellbeing of human beings.
It also benefits those in need and beyond. For some, an act of Sadaqah Jariyah can provide immediate and long-lasting relief. It can impact and shape the lives and futures of individuals and communities, potentially for generations.
Yes. Whether you wish to give on behalf of someone who is alive or has passed away, if you make the intention of doing it on their behalf, it will be accepted with the permission of Allah (SWT).
It also benefits those in need and beyond. For some, an act of Sadaqah Jariyah can provide immediate and long-lasting relief. It can impact and shape the lives and futures of individuals and communities, potentially for generations.
General Questions on Sadaqah Jariyah
Sadaqah Jariyah can be given to a mosque in the form of assistance to construct buildings/services, provide educational materials, plant trees/gardens or any other long-term feature.
There are limitless forms of Sadaqah Jariyah – our imagination is our limit! In short, as long as your project provides ongoing benefit to others, using halal sources/means.
Zakat is a type of charity stipulated as obligatory (for those that meet the threshold) by Allah (SWT) in the Holy Qur’an. It can be used for both short-term and long-term purposes.
Sadaqah Jariyah is a voluntary form of charity that refers to ongoing charity only.
Whilst many people give Sadaqah Jariyah when something bad happens for example the death of a loved one (offering charity in their name), this is not a requirement. However, it does offer multiple blessings and can help with the grieving process. In addition, offering a memorial to a loved one and giving charity in Islam is important during happier, more prosperous times as a gesture of thanks to Allah (SWT).