In Islam, there are many acts which can lead to immeasurable reward – both today and in our Hereafter; these acts are commonly referred to as sadaqah jariyah.
Sadaqah jariyah is an act of giving in a way that keeps on giving. For example, if you were to invest in planting a tree, that tree would then go on to provide shelter for as long as it stands – meaning you shall receive an ongoing reward for as long as it stands, too.
“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)
There are many different types of sadaqah jariyah one can contribute towards and we have selected five key examples of these to explore. Hopefully, you will be inspired by these ideas and engage in ongoing charity for the people of today and the future.
Sponsoring a Child or Orphan
Many of us forget that the children of today are the future of tomorrow and in order to provide a secure future, we must work together to ensure every child’s right to an education is fulfilled. All children are entitled to an education and should be granted the opportunity to acquire the life skills they need to prosper.
Today, there are many millions of children worldwide who are suffering from a lack of education, and many more who are missing the most basic essentials needed in life such as food, shelter, healthcare and support.
Participating in child sponsorship can ensure that not only the child but their whole family has the possibility of a prosperous future, where the skills they learn can be utilised in driving the community forward.
Contributing towards educating a child can reap countless rewards for years to come by securing the future of a child, their family and even the surrounding community, making it one of the most popular types of sadaqah jariyah.
Education / Skills / Teaching / Spreading Awareness of Islam
Spreading knowledge is highly rewarded in Islam and as Muslims, we are responsible for sharing the correct knowledge of Islam and inviting others into the faith. If you disclose just one correct religious fact to another human being, and that individual follows your advice and shares your knowledge with someone new, you are gaining reward every step of the way.
In the same way, teaching someone how to recite the Holy Qur’an is something which will bring you continuous reward even after you die, as every time that person recites the Holy Qur’an, or in turn, teaches someone else the Holy Qur’an, you are benefitting from the rewards for each of those people.
Building a Water Well
We often take the simplest necessities of life for granted – has it crossed our minds what we would do without access to clean water? It would, in fact, put a complete halt to our entire lives in terms of health, not to mention sanitation.
Today, there are many millions of people around the world who have very little or absolutely no access to clean, safe drinking water. You could donate towards an Islamic charity campaign such as the Muslim Aid Water and Sanitation Programme which aims to provide those in need with access to clean, safe, hygienic water by building water wells and hand pumps.
Although this is a relatively simple act, it can be incredibly life-changing for communities without any access to a water supply, and the rewards for your contribution shall continue for as long as others are benefitting from it. A truly impactful type of sadaqah jariyah.
Partaking in the Building of a Mosque, School or Hospital
Many Muslims choose to donate towards the construction of a mosque in order to gain significant rewards. Similar to this, you can also contribute towards the building of a school, hospital or even an orphanage, which goes on to benefit others. In turn, your rewards will continue for as long as others benefit from your generosity. In fact, you shall be rewarded for every single prayer recited in the Mosque; every single patient being treated in the hospital and every single individual gaining knowledge in the school. An invaluable act of sadaqah which will impact countless lives.
Donating Religious Material
Similar to sharing and spreading knowledge, distributing religious material, such as copies of the Holy Qur’an and books of Dua, can reap significant rewards for you. Every time a person reads or learns from your donated material, you shall gain the reward of sadaqah jariyah as a result.
As well as religious books, there are many other items you can give to benefit others, such as tasbihs, prayer mats, hijabs, medical supplies, clothing and so on. Even putting a watering can in a graveyard, will go a long way as every time someone fills up the can to water a grave, you, in turn, receive the benefits.
Sadaqah Jariyah is Investing in the Hereafter
Throughout life, we invest a lot of money, time and effort into achieving our various personal goals and dreams. We often focus our energy on work or home, putting in a lot of hard work to obtain the results we wish to see.
We should remember to give just as much energy and focus into investing in our Hereafter as this is where the rewards are the greatest; not only for our today but for long after we have died.
“The semblance of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah SWT, is as the likeness of a grain of corn, which grows seven ears and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah SWT gives manifold increase to whomever He pleases. Allah SWT is All-Sufficient, All-Knowing.”
– The Holy Qur’an (2:261)
We should all aim to adopt ongoing charity as a habit in Islam as opposed to an occasional gesture as we will, one day, be thankful of our actions when the resulting rewards continue to benefit us in our Hereafter.
May Allah SWT reward us all for our good deeds and acts of sadaqah, even those outside of the types of sadaqah jariyah listed here, and may He grant us all a place in Jannah. Ameen.
