Sadaqah Jariyah for Deceased Parents

Death is not the end of the relationship between children and their parents; rather, it is the beginning of a new phase of righteousness and kindness. After parents pass away, the most important question remains: How can I continue to honor them? How can I benefit them while they are in their graves? The answer is: Sadaqah Jariyah. In this comprehensive article, we explain how to convey rewards to your deceased parents, what are the best types of ongoing charity, the religious evidence for the reward reaching them, and practical projects you can start today.

Does Charity Reach the Deceased? The Religious Evidence

Evidence from the Holy Quran

Allah says: “And those who came after them say, ‘Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith'” (Al-Hashr: 10)

This verse indicates that the supplication of the living benefits the dead, and similarly, charity on their behalf.

Authentic Prophetic Hadiths

1. Hadith of Sa’d ibn Ubadah (may Allah be pleased with him)

Narrated by Sa’d ibn Ubadah (may Allah be pleased with him): I said: O Messenger of Allah, my mother has died, shall I give charity on her behalf? He said: “Yes.” I said: Which charity is best? He said: “Providing water” (Narrated by An-Nasa’i and Abu Dawud, authenticated by Al-Albani)

Benefit: This is explicit evidence for the permissibility of charity on behalf of the deceased, and that the best is providing water.

2. Hadith of Ongoing Charity

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), knowledge from which benefit is derived, or a righteous child who prays for him” (Narrated by Muslim)

Benefit: Ongoing charity is among the deeds whose reward continues for the deceased after death.

3. Hadith of the Woman Who Died Without Performing Hajj

Narrated by Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both): A woman from Juhaynah came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: My mother vowed to perform Hajj but died before doing so, shall I perform Hajj on her behalf? He said: “Yes, perform Hajj on her behalf. Do you not think that if your mother had a debt, would you pay it? Pay Allah’s dues, for Allah is more deserving of fulfillment” (Narrated by Bukhari)

Benefit: It is possible to fulfill acts of worship on behalf of the deceased, and similarly charity.

4. Hadith of the Man Who Said: My Mother Died Suddenly

Narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): A man said to the Prophet ﷺ: My mother died suddenly (iftulitat nafsaha), and I think if she had spoken she would have given charity. Will she have a reward if I give charity on her behalf? He said: “Yes” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

Benefit: Charity on behalf of the deceased reaches them even if they did not make a bequest for it.

5. Hadith of Abu Usayd Al-Sa’idi

Narrated by Abu Usayd Al-Sa’idi (may Allah be pleased with him): While we were with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, a man from Banu Salamah came and said: O Messenger of Allah, is there any way I can honor my parents after their death? He said: “Yes, praying for them, seeking forgiveness for them, fulfilling their pledges after them, maintaining family ties that are only connected through them, and honoring their friends” (Narrated by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah, graded good by Al-Albani)

Benefit: This hadith shows that honoring parents continues after their death in multiple ways.

Scholarly Consensus on Charity Reaching the Deceased

Muslim scholars have unanimously agreed that the reward of charity reaches the deceased, that children can give charity on behalf of their deceased parents, and that the reward reaches them by Allah’s permission.

Imam An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Muslims have unanimously agreed on the permissibility of charity on behalf of the deceased and that its reward reaches them.”

How Does the Reward Reach Deceased Parents?

1. By Allah’s Grace and Mercy

Allah is Vast in His grace, Generous and Giving, His treasures are inexhaustible. When you give charity on behalf of your parents, Allah conveys the reward to them by His power and grace, without diminishing anything from your own reward.

2. Sincere Intention

The important thing is to intend when giving charity that this charity is on behalf of your parents or one of them, so you say: “O Allah, this is charity on behalf of my deceased father (or mother), so place its reward in his/her scale of good deeds.”

3. Angels Carry the Reward

The angels assigned to record deeds register this act in the deceased’s record, so the parents find good deeds added to their scales that they did not perform themselves, which are from the charity of their children.

4. The Deceased Feels the Charity Given on Their Behalf

It is narrated from the predecessors that the deceased is pleased when charity is given on their behalf, and feels this in their grave, making it a cause of their comfort and happiness.

Types of Sadaqah Jariyah for Parents

1.Sadaqah Jariyah for Parents: Digging Wells and Providing Water

Why is it the best?

• The Prophet ﷺ specified that providing water is the best charity
• Every drop of water drunk by a human or animal = a good deed for your parents
• Continues for decades
• Saves lives from dying of thirst

2. Sadaqah Jariyah for Parents: Building Mosques

Why is it among the greatest charities?

• The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever builds a mosque for Allah, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise”
• Every prayer performed in the mosque is in your parents’ scale of good deeds
• Every remembrance (dhikr) and Quran recited in it has its reward for them

3. Sadaqah Jariyah for Parents: Orphan Sponsorship

Why is it among the greatest charities?

• The Prophet ﷺ said: “I and the sponsor of an orphan will be in Paradise like these two” and he pointed with his index and middle fingers
• Caring for a child who has lost their parents = the greatest reward
• An orphan becomes a righteous person because of you

4. Sadaqah Jariyah for Parents: Building Hospitals and Health Centers

Why is it among the greatest charities?

• Saving lives = tremendous reward
• Continuous service to the community

5. Sadaqah Jariyah for Parents: Supporting the Poor and Needy Sustainably

Sustainable Projects:

• Monthly food baskets for poor families
• Productive projects (sewing, carpentry, farming)
• Teaching a trade to someone in need

International Waqf Fund: Your Gateway to Honoring Your Parents

In our fast-paced world and constantly busy lives, we should not neglect great values such as honoring parents. Rather, we seek those who help us achieve this in the easiest, fastest, and most secure ways.

You are fortunate that the International Waqf Fund can also help you effectively! We assist you in achieving the greatest benefit for your parents and poor communities through ongoing charity shares.

We invest donations “goodness charities” and use their proceeds to fund projects that achieve sustainable goodness, supporting health, education, orphan sponsorship, water provision, and many other projects.

Then we reinvest part of the donations so that the principal remains present and grows year after year. This means your charity will support more projects every year, and you and your parents will receive the reward, by Allah’s permission.

Giving Sadaqah Jariyah for parents is the greatest gift that can be given to those who can no longer ask for anything after their departure. It is a practical supplication, unceasing righteousness, and a message of loyalty that transcends the boundaries of time. Every deed you dedicate to them, and every good that reaches them because of it, is proof that you do not forget, that you still cherish the favor, and that you know the value of those who brought you into life.

Start today with a small step, an Sadaqah Jariyah in your parents’ name, and let this charity be a permanent door to reward, a light in their graves, and a deed that pleases Allah with you and elevates you in the ranks of righteousness.