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Guide · charity in Islam
Sadaqah jariyah.
The charity that keeps rewarding you long after you give it, even after you die: what it is, the hadith behind it, and practical ideas for every budget.
Sadaqah jariyah is ongoing charity: a gift whose benefit, and reward, continues for as long as people benefit from it. The Prophet ﷺ said that when a person dies their deeds end except three: sadaqah jariyah, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for them (Muslim). Examples include a water well, a mosque, a planted tree and copies of the Quran.
The hadith of the three deeds that continue
The Prophet ﷺ said: "When a person dies, all their deeds end except three: sadaqah jariyah, knowledge that is benefited from, or a righteous child who prays for them." (Sahih Muslim). Jariyah means flowing: the reward keeps running like water for as long as people benefit.
Another narration (Ibn Majah, graded hasan) lists what continues to reach a believer after death: knowledge they taught and spread, a righteous child, a copy of the Quran they left behind, a mosque they built, a house they built for travellers, a stream they made flow, and charity they gave from their wealth while healthy and alive.
Sadaqah jariyah ideas, from small to large
| Idea | Why it keeps giving |
|---|---|
| A water well or water project | Every person and animal that drinks |
| Building or supporting a mosque | Every prayer, lesson and Quran recitation in it |
| Planting a tree | Whatever a person, animal or bird eats from it is charity (Bukhari, Muslim) |
| Sponsoring copies of the Quran | Every time someone reads from them |
| A school, books or teaching | Knowledge that is passed on again and again |
| Teaching someone a surah or a dua | Every time they recite it, and teach it on |
| Beneficial content online | Every person it guides or helps |
Giving on behalf of someone who has died
Sa'd ibn Ubadah asked the Prophet ﷺ whether it would benefit his mother, who had died, if he gave charity on her behalf. He said yes, and Sa'd gave his garden in charity for her (Bukhari). Families often choose a well, a tree or a mosque project in a parent's name for exactly this reason.
Sadaqah jariyah, sadaqah and zakat
Zakat is obligatory: 2.5% of wealth above the nisab, once a year. Work it out with our free zakat calculator. Sadaqah is any voluntary charity, even a smile. Sadaqah jariyah is voluntary charity built to last. Many people pay zakat in Ramadan and add sadaqah jariyah in the last ten nights, hoping to catch Laylat al-Qadr; see the dates on the Islamic calendar 2027.
Running a sadaqah jariyah appeal?
Mosques and charities raise most of their money through short appeal videos. Read our guide to mosque fundraising and the charity appeal audio playbook.
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Frequently asked questions
What is sadaqah jariyah?
Sadaqah jariyah is ongoing charity: a good deed whose benefit continues after you have given it, and even after you die, such as building a well, a mosque or a school, planting a tree, or spreading beneficial knowledge.
What is the hadith about sadaqah jariyah?
The Prophet ﷺ said: when a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three: sadaqah jariyah, knowledge that is benefited from, or a righteous child who prays for them (Muslim).
Can I give sadaqah jariyah on behalf of someone who has died?
Yes. A companion asked whether his mother, who had died, would benefit if he gave charity for her, and the Prophet ﷺ said yes; he then gave his garden in charity for her (Bukhari).
What is the difference between zakat and sadaqah jariyah?
Zakat is an obligation: 2.5% of wealth above the nisab, paid yearly to set categories of people. Sadaqah is voluntary charity of any amount, and sadaqah jariyah is voluntary charity with lasting benefit.
What are easy sadaqah jariyah ideas?
Share in a water well, sponsor a copy of the Quran, plant a tree, contribute to a mosque or school build, teach someone a surah, or share a beneficial video or book. Small, lasting acts count.
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