Sadaqah Jariyah

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said in an authentic hadith: ‘When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: Sadaqa Jariyah, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for him’.


What is Sadaqah Jariyah?


The sadaqa jariya meaning is refers to any form of charity in which the benefit continues indefinitely, such as building a mosque, digging a well, or other similar acts.

It is like a flowing river that never stops, with the rewards of this charity continuing both during the donor’s lifetime and after their death. This is why Muslims love to give sadaqa jariyah on behalf of their parents, for the deceased, or even for themselves.

Waqf  as a Sadaqa Jariyah

One form of charity in Islam that is considered sadaqa jariyah is waqf. It involves dedicating certain funds or assets, such as land, for the benefit of people without reclaiming them.

Narrated by Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him: Umar acquired some land in Khaybar, and he came to the Prophet, peace be upon him, seeking his advice. Umar said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I have acquired some land in Khaybar, and I have never acquired any wealth that is dearer to me than it. 

Should I give it away in charity?’ The Prophet replied, ‘If you wish, you may keep its original value and give its fruits in charity.’ Umar then gave it in charity, stating that it cannot be sold, inherited, or given as a gift. 

He gave it as charity to the poor, relatives, slaves, in the cause of Allah, to travelers, and to guests. The one who administers it may eat from it fairly and feed an unaccompanied friend without compensation.’ (Muttafaqun Alayh, agreed upon by Bukhari and Muslim)

Forms of Waqf

Muslims today have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of others by donating to a Waqf that continues to have a lasting effect as sadaqa jariyah. Some forms of waqf include contributing to improving someone’s life by providing a source of income, donating to restore sight or hearing to a person, sponsoring an orphan or a student, or donating to enhance infrastructure in impoverished villages.

Sadaqa Jariyah at the International Waqf Fund

Considering the immense reward of sadaqa jariyah in this life and the hereafter, as well as the significant impact it has on people’s lives, the International Waqf Fund accepts donations of any amount as sadaqa jariyah.

Donations are collected for investment in favor of the poor in a secure and Sharia-compliant system, with the proceeds used to finance projects that provide continuous benefits to those in need. A portion of the returns is reinvested, ensuring the continuity and lasting impact of your donation.

Over the years, your perpetual charity contributions have improved the living conditions, health, and education of many underprivileged individuals in Yemen, Palestine, and Bosnia. Clean water has been provided in Bangladesh, Chad, Niger, Mali, Sudan, and other areas. Thanks to your donations, dozens of poor individuals have regained their sight, and educational conditions have been enhanced in numerous schools worldwide. Additionally, vocational training projects have been established to provide income for vulnerable families, along with emergency relief projects after disasters.

Who Benefits from this Sadaqa Jariyah?

In collaboration with our local partners in various regions of operation, we allocate support to the most needy communities and villages. Each year, we update our data to reach more communities and decide on project types based on the specific needs of each region.

In many African countries, our projects focus on the best form of sadaqah jariyah like providing water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities due to their urgent needs. In other countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine, we concentrate on supporting orphaned families and funding small projects that improve family income.

Perpetual Charity in Numbers at the International Waqf Fund

Give sadaqah 

Throughout the year, you have the opportunity to initiate perpetual charity for yourself or in memory of a departed loved one through the International Waqf Fund. You will receive annual reports on the results and utilization of your donation.

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Sadaqah Jariyah

In Arabic, Sadaqah Jariyah comes from the word sidq which means truth and power. Therefore, it is a form of charity given in demonstration of one’s commitment and belief in Allah. In addition to representing the ‘truth’ element. Accordingly, the ‘Power’ comes from the lasting effect that the charity provides through its ongoing benefits.

You can donate any amount of money to Sadaqah Jariyah.  We will invest it as we invest a Waqf share. meaning the return on investment can continue to fund vital projects such as wells, hospitals, and schools, year on year. You can see the 2021 annual report to see the impact of profits from Sadaqah Jariyah investments.

On the authority of Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, ‘When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: either Sadaqah Jariyah (a continuous charity), knowledge from which benefit is gained, or a righteous child who prays for him’. (Sahih Muslim).