This week’s Kutuby Learning blog discusses Sadaqah Jariyah – what it is, multiple examples of it and endless ways you can endlessly gain reward from it.
Sadaqah Jariyah literally means ‘a continuous, ongoing, flowing charity’, which continues to benefit the recipient(s) for a long time. Whereas, Sadaqah benefits the person who receives it on one occasion e.g. visiting the sick.
One of the greatest things about Sadaqah Jariyah is that you can give on behalf of someone who has passed away. The perfect way to honour their unforgettable memory. If you make the intention of doing it on their behalf, it will be accepted with the permission of Allah (SWT), without decreasing your own rewards.
Due to Sadaqah Jariyah being a continuous charity in Islam, not only will the donor gain reward for the project, but they will also benefit from all the du’as from people all over the world. Subhan Allah! How amazing is that?
Types of Sadaqah Jariyah
Abu Hurairah narrated that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“When a man dies, his good deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, and righteous offspring who will pray for him.” (Muslim)
1. Ongoing Charity. This is any form of ongoing charity (genuine gesture or donation with the intention to please Allah) that benefits others e.g. building a house for orphans and widows.
2. Beneficial Knowledge. Knowledge the person leaves behind via teaching. This can be teaching someone to recite the noble Qur’an – every time they recite a single letter, you will get rewarded. If your student teaches the Qur’an to another person, every time this other person recites it, you too will also get the reward, even long after you have died (until the end of this world).
Beneficial knowledge can also be through Islamic reading materials e.g. providing copies of the Qur’an – every time a person reads from it, you will receive reward.
3. Righteous Offspring. The real gift of a parent is a righteous child; this is because they can pray and make du’a for their beloved parents. Our interesting article Strengthen Islamic Values in Your Family with 6 Simple Steps will show you easy ways to reinforce your core beliefs and solidify your Iman as a family.
Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “An obedient son who looks at his parents with mercy and affection receives the reward of one accepted Hajj (pilgrimage) against every such look.”
- (Source: Sahih Hadith)
Some Other Examples of Sadaqah Jariyah Are:
Donating or helping to build a school or madrasah – Education can change a person’s life forever. Consider helping children gain beneficial knowledge, memorise and understand the Qur’an and more. You will be rewarded for every individual gaining knowledge at the school.
‘The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The best among you (Muslims) are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it.”
- (Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 5027, Book 66, Hadith 49)
Donating or helping to build a hospital – Even by donating a wheelchair to a hospital, every time a sick person uses it, you will gain reward.
Sponsoring orphans – The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "I and the person who looks after an orphan and provides for him, will be in Paradise like this," putting his index and middle fingers together.
Planting a tree or donating towards it – Every time, people or animals sit under the shadeor eat from it, you will gain a reward.
Providing water – Water is a basic necessity of life, and it is impossible to imagine life without clean water, but many people around the world are living without it. Providing clean and healthy water to those in need will continue to pay dividends as Sadaqah Jariyah. Every time, someone uses it, you will gain a reward from it.
Sa’d ibn Ubadah reported: I said, “O Messenger Of Allah, My mother has died. Shall I give charity on her behalf?” The Prophet said, “Yes.” I said, “Which charity is the best?”, The Prophet said, “A drink of water.”
- (Sunan al-Nasā'ī 3664)
Performing Hajj & Umrah – Hajj and Umrah can be performed on behalf of one of your parents each time, but you must do it for yourself first.
Feeding the poor and needy – Within its proper guidelines, offering Qurbani (Udhiyah)sacrifice for the dead is considered a kind of Sadaqah Jariyah, because it benefits the one offering the sacrifice, the deceased on whose behalf it is offered (if), and the living who receive the meat.
Donating or actively participating in the building of a Mosque – Did you know Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) helped construct Medina’s first Mosque (Masjid Quba)? You will earn rewards for each and every person who enters to pray, recites the Qur’an inside it, supplicates and much more.
“Whoever builds a mosque for Allah, Allah will build for him a house like it in Paradise.”
- (Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 450, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 533)
Helping those who are less fortunate is a key tenet of the Islamic faith.
These were some of the ways you can participate in Sadaqah Jariyah, following some of the examples will ensure that you will gain hasanat eternally (with the permission of Allah SWT).The Kutuby Learning family would love to know your feedback so feel free to share some ideas on what topic you want next on the blog in shaa Allah.
Create your beautiful legacy by changing someone’s life with your generous Sadaqah Jariyah donation.
