Five Acts of Perpetual Charity — Sadaqah Jariyah

What is Sadaqah Jariyah and why is it important?

If you knew the importance and benefits of Sadaqah Jariyah in Islam, you would probably be amazed at how kind and merciful Allah is, Who has given us opportunities to earn good deeds even after we have passed away from this world.

Today, we make investments in the form of bonds, stocks, and real estate that either give us short-term profit or long-term profit. But can you imagine an investment, which can give you benefits till eternity?

This is what Sadaqah Jariyah is in Islam. An act of kindness or charity that keeps giving you rewards whether you are dead or alive by the will of Allah.

Importance of Sadaqah Jariyah in Islam

Now to address the importance of Sadaqah Jariyah in Islam, let us see what our Holy Qur’an says about Sadaqah Jariyah;

“Surely the men who give sadaqah and the women who give sadaqah and have advanced a good loan to Allah (SWT); for them, it will be multiplied, and for them, there is a noble reward.” [The Holy Qur’an 57:18]

Now let me emphasize the importance more by quoting you what Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) has to say about Sadaqah Jariyah:

Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said, “Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings — for Allah does not accept anything but that which is good — Allah will take it in his right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain.” [Al-Bukhari]

Now that you understand the importance of Sadaqah Jariya, I am sure you are eager to find out how to do it? What are the acts of Sadaqah Jariyah?

There are a lot of acts of kindness that can be referred to as Sadaqah Jariyah but below, are some of the chosen five acts of Sadaqah Jariyah in Islam that will reap your benefits till eternity InshAllah.

1. Spreading Knowledge About Islam

To be a born Muslim is a blessing, but to have the knowledge and spread the right knowledge about Islam to Muslims or Non-Muslims is considered a Sadaqah Jariyah. If you think about it, this is what Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did. He did not only spread the knowledge but showed what Islam is? What does being a Muslim means? By his action and his character were enough to speak and set the moral standard for all Muslim Ummah to follow.

So how can you earn Sadaqah Jariyah through spreading knowledge? Let us tell you how:

1. Share the Islamic knowledge with someone in itself is a Sadaqah Jariyah. Because if that person ends up sharing that piece of information with someone too, hence goes on the cycle of reward reaping act.
2. Teaching someone to read the Holy Qur’an
3. Teaching someone about Prayers, prayer times, and the etiquettes of prayers, etc. Even if you help someone download an app that tells accurate prayer times, it is Sadaqah Jariyah.

With each of your deeds or advice about Islam that a person follows because of you and forwards it to other people, you are getting rewards from Allah.

2. Build a Mosque, Education Institution or Hospital

Building a mosque is a very basic knowledge of Sadaqah Jariyah. Many Muslims try their best either to build one or take part in building a mosque. But did you know you can also get a reward for participating in building a school or madrassah or any other kind of educational institution?

Yes, it is true. Just like you get benefits and rewards for any prayer that is being offered in the mosque, the same way you get the benefit when a child studies in that institution that you helped build as well.

The same goes for hospitals. For each patient that gets treated in a hospital you contributed to making, you will reap the rewards for the rest of eternity, in this life and hereafter.

3. Supply Clean Drinking Water

It is 2021, and I know it’s hard to imagine that there are still some places in the world that do not have access to clean drinking water. Like in the rural area of Africa and Asia where there is no access to clean water for people to drink even today.

So if you manage to build a well or figure some other way out to supply clean drinking water to people, Muslims or Non-Muslim, this act of kindness will give you rewards from Allah forever and ever.

4. Undertake The Care Of Child Or An Orphan

There are millions of children in this world who are deprived of education and even the necessities of life like food and shelter. The global pandemic and catastrophes have resulted in many children being orphaned.

If you decide to undertake the care of even one of such orphan children and take care of their basic needs, such as sponsorship, maybe even educational needs, you will reap benefits that will never end.

5. Planting a Tree

Planting a tree sounds so small, yet it can get you rewards that never end. Why? Because when that tree grows and provides oxygen and becomes part of the ecosystem you will reap the benefits of it.

Now You Know 5 Acts of Sadaqah Jariyah in Islam

While we have mentioned the five most common forms of Sadaqah Jariyah, there are still many small acts of kindness that qualify as Sadaqah as well. Making dua for someone, giving copies of the Holy Qur’an or any other Islamic material, etc. For those of you, who are thinking, we don’t have the means to perform the above, here is what our Prophet said;

“Every Muslim has to give in Sadaqah (charity).” The people asked, “O Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) If someone has nothing to give, what will he do?” He said, “He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns).” The people further asked, “If he cannot do even that?” He replied, “Then he should help the needy who appeal for help.” Then the people asked, “If he cannot do that?” He replied, “Then he should perform all that is good and keep away from all that is evil, and this will be regarded as charitable deeds.” (Bukhari)