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What is Sadaqah Jariyah?
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What is Sadaqah Jariyah?

Understand what Sadaqah Jariyah means, how it differs from one-time charity, and how ongoing acts create continuous benefits for communities over time.

What Does “Sadaqah Jariyah” Mean?

Sadaqah Jariyah is an Arabic term that translates to “ongoing charity” or “continuous charity.” It refers to any charitable act whose benefits continue over a long period. Unlike a one-time donation that might meet an immediate need, a Sadaqah Jariyah project keeps giving back to people repeatedly. For example, digging a water well in a village is Sadaqah Jariyah because it will provide clean water for years, long after the well is built. Similarly, planting a fruit tree that will bear fruit season after season or funding a school that will educate generations of children are acts of Sadaqah Jariyah. The core idea is sustainability in charity; your good deed keeps benefiting others on an ongoing basis.

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed that sprouts into seven ears, each bearing one hundred grains.”

Islamic Significance of Continuous Charity

In Islam, Sadaqah Jariyah holds a special significance because it is one of the deeds that can earn a person rewards even after death. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that when a person dies, all their deeds end except three things: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child’s prayers. This hadith highlights that a charity which continues to help others (even when the original giver is no longer alive) will still bring spiritual rewards to the giver. This concept motivates many Muslims to establish forms of charity that outlast them, such as building a mosque or hospital, or endowing a charitable trust, so that they leave a lasting legacy of goodness. The Qur’an also encourages giving and promises an excellent reward for those who spend in charity. One verse compares charity to a seed that grows seven hundredfold by Allah’s grace, implying that even a small act of charity can multiply into tremendous benefit. Sadaqah Jariyah is an excellent way to see that multiplication in action: your initial “seed” (effort or donation) continues to grow over time, helping more people and earning greater rewards.

Sadaqah Jariyah vs. One-Time Charity

A key aspect of understanding what Sadaqah Jariyah is involves distinguishing it from regular Sadaqah (voluntary charity). Regular Sadaqah is any charitable deed, such as giving money to the poor, feeding someone, donating clothes, etc., typically a one-off act. Sadaqah Jariyah is a long-term philanthropic act. For instance:

 

  • Donating a meal to a hungry family is Sadaqah (it fulfils their need for a day).
  • Installing a water pump for a community is Sadaqah Jariyah (it fulfils a need continuously for years).

 

Both types are virtuous and encouraged. However, Sadaqah Jariyah has the added virtue of perpetual benefit. Many people will do both: give small Sadaqah regularly and also invest in a Sadaqah Jariyah project when they can. Our article on the Difference Between Sadaqah and Sadaqah Jariyah delves deeper into this comparison. It’s also worth noting that Sadaqah Jariyah is sometimes likened to Waqf, an Islamic endowment, because, traditionally, a waqf (e.g., donating property for public use) is a form of charity that benefits people continually. In essence, any charity whose utility endures can be viewed as Sadaqah Jariyah.

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Examples to Illustrate the Concept

To truly understand what Sadaqah Jariyah is, it helps to look at some examples: 

 

Water Wells and Pumps: A well can provide a community with clean water daily, improving health and livelihoods. Every drop someone drinks from that well is a source of ongoing reward for the donor.

 

Educational Facilities: Building or funding a school, or donating books and learning materials, spreads knowledge year after year. Each student who learns and benefits is part of the donor’s continuous charity.

 

Mosques and Orphanages: Contributing to building a mosque means every prayer performed there counts in your favour. Supporting an orphanage or a home for the elderly can count as Sadaqah Jariyah, provided the establishment continues caring for people in the future. 

 

Planting Trees: A fruit tree can feed people (and even animals) for many years. Shade trees can cool an area and improve the environment. The Prophet (pbuh) encouraged planting trees, and this act is considered a form of ongoing charity, as it benefits creatures in the long term. 

 

Sharing Knowledge: Perhaps less tangible but equally significant, spreading beneficial knowledge (such as printing Quran copies, funding scholarships, or even creating useful Islamic websites/apps) is a Sadaqah Jariyah. As long as people continue to learn or be guided by that knowledge, the original contributor earns rewards. 

 

These examples show the breadth of what Sadaqah Jariyah can encompass. It’s not limited to wealthy donors building large projects; even simple acts can qualify if they have lasting benefits. For instance, teaching someone a skill or a dua (supplication) that they then use throughout their life can be your Sadaqah Jariyah. The main criterion is ongoing benefit.

Why Emphasise Sadaqah Jariyah?

By now, we’ve defined Sadaqah Jariyah and seen how it works. But why is it so emphasised in our faith? The answer lies in its unique blend of compassion and foresight. Sadaqah Jariyah encourages us to think about the future, to create institutions or resources that will help others sustainably. In doing so, it addresses not only immediate needs but also strengthens communities for the long run. 

From a spiritual perspective, it’s a means for a believer to continue accumulating blessings after death, when they can no longer perform deeds directly. It’s like planting a fruit tree of good deeds in this life, which will continue to bear fruit when we’re in our graves. This is incredibly motivating because it gives us a way to proactively impact our Hereafter. 

From a humanitarian perspective, Sadaqah Jariyah projects often tackle root causes of poverty or suffering, providing education, water, healthcare, etc, thereby breaking cycles of hardship. They leave the world a better place for future generations. Islamic teachings thus beautifully tie together the betterment of society with the spiritual benefit of the donor.

In summary, Sadaqah Jariyah is an act of charity that never truly ends. It’s a charity that creates a legacy. By understanding this concept, we can strive to incorporate at least one ongoing charity initiative in our lives, no matter how small, alongside our regular charitable giving.

FAQs:

  • Does Sadaqah Jariyah have to last forever to count?
    Not necessarily forever, but it should have a long-term benefit. As long as it continues to benefit others for an extended period (months, years, or generations), it’s considered Sadaqah Jariyah. All things in this world eventually end, but even a project that benefits people for a few years (and could benefit many people in that time) qualifies as an ongoing charity.
  • Can I start a Sadaqah Jariyah project even if I don’t have much money?
    Yes. You can start small or collaborate with others. For example, you might not afford to build a whole school, but you could sponsor a classroom or donate supplies. You could contribute to existing projects run by charities (like funding part of a well). Even volunteering your time to launch something beneficial (like creating educational content) is a form of Sadaqah Jariyah through knowledge. Every bit counts towards continuous charity.
  • Is Sadaqah Jariyah mentioned in the Qur’an?
    The term itself is derived from Islamic tradition (hadith) rather than the Qur’an directly using the phrase “Sadaqah Jariyah.” However, the concept is supported by Quranic verses that praise charity and the idea of an ongoing reward. For instance, Quran 2:261 (which describes charity growing like a multiplied harvest) is often associated with the spirit of continuous charity. The Qur’an encourages us to invest in good works that continue to grow in reward, which is precisely what Sadaqah Jariyah is about.

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