Charity is a very powerful act of worship in Islam that focuses on helping those in need and sharing blessings with them. There are various forms of giving that a Muslim is encouraged to do, with one form being an obligation when a believer is financially able (Zakat). Each type of giving has its own meaningful impact on the lives of the less fortunate, and they are all very important because they share wealth with the poor and needy.
Sadaqah is a voluntary type of charity that is highly encouraged for Muslims to give as regularly as possible to constantly help those in need with the care and resources they need. However, it’s not the only voluntary charity in Islam that can make an impact. There’s also Sadaqah Jariyah, which is a very powerful act of charity that a Muslim can give because it continues to benefit the poor over decades, saving countless lives across the world and earning the giver immense rewards in this lifetime and the Hereafter. Sadaqah Jariyah is such an important act of giving that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased)."
–Sahih Muslim: 1631
At Muslim Aid, we know that understanding Sadaqah Jariyah and what makes it unique is vital to ensure that this act is carried out properly and provides real benefit to those in need. This is why we’ve gathered the most common FAQs for Sadaqah Jariyah in this guide to help you further understand this charity, how to give it, what it involves and the impact your donation can make.
So, what is Sadaqah Jariyah? This is an extremely powerful form of charity in Islam that’s continuous. Once a Muslim has given this type of charity, the positive effects on those in need continue to come over the years and decades, helping vulnerable communities for generations. It can even continue to benefit the poor after a Muslim has passed. This means that Sadaqah Jariyah is a gift that keeps on giving for both the poor and the person who has given it.
It provides those most in need with a lifeline that supports their living needs and helps them to thrive, providing them with hope for a better future away from poverty, conflict, hardship or even hunger. But it doesn’t just give that lifeline to one person. It can give it to a whole community for years to come, spanning across generations, and every time someone in need benefits from this act of giving, the giver receives rewards from Allah (SWT) now and in the Hereafter.
Sadaqah Jariyah can offer countless benefits to both the giver and the receiver of this powerful charity. It provides Muslims who give this charity with immense rewards for years to come, both in this life and the Hereafter. For as long as your donation benefits the poor and needy, you will receive rewards, so if it helps them for generations, you will continue to receive rewards even after you’ve passed.
As well as this, Sadaqah Jariyah is a continuous gift to those in need across the world who are facing extreme poverty, hunger, hardship and conflict. Your donation helps to fund lifesaving resources that help them to survive and create a better life for themselves for many years. It can help generations of needy people and give them blessings that they don’t have, while giving you and your family rewards every time someone benefits from your donation. This is shown in the Quran where Allah (SWT) says:
“A grain of corn which grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains”
[Quran, 2:261].
A great example of this is when you plant a tree. This tree will always provide shelter to many people who need it for as long as the tree lives.
If you’re wondering what counts as Sadaqah Jariyah, it’s basically any donation that goes towards funding resources that can continuously give to those in need. This can be anything from donating toward installing a water pump in communities that don’t have access to clean water to the construction of a Mosque for a poor community that doesn’t have a proper place of worship.
Building a Mosque is Sadaqah Jariyah, meaning that if you donate toward the construction of a Mosque in a vulnerable community, you’re carrying out a powerful form of charity. This is because for poor communities that don’t have a safe, secure and warm place to worship, building a Mosque will continue to benefit them for decades. It can provide generations with a proper place to worship and practice Islam, allowing them to gain rewards and blessings that they can miss out on without a Mosque.
Another common question when it comes to what counts as Sadaqah Jariyah is, “Is planting a tree Sadaqah Jariyah?” The answer to this is yes, planting a tree does count as Sadaqah Jariyah because it can continue to benefit someone for years to come, as well as the planet. A tree can offer a food source or shelter from the harsh elements, allowing those in need to take food from it or take shelter underneath when they need it. This benefits them for years to come, for as long as the tree lives, providing you with ongoing rewards every time someone benefits from it.
So, is sponsoring an orphan Sadaqah Jariyah? Yes, this is an act of Sadaqah Jariyah, as it helps to protect orphaned children with no support and family to help give them a better future. It equips them with the resources they need to survive and thrive, giving them access to education to allow them to learn and grow. Sponsoring an orphan helps to give them a path to a better future away from poverty and hardship, continuing to help them for years as they grow. This act of giving is also a rewarded Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which means it holds very deep, powerful rewards.
There are many different examples of Sadaqah Jariyah that allow Muslims to help those less fortunate in numerous ways. The key appeals that count as Sadaqah Jariyah that you can donate to are:
Many believers wonder, “Can you do Sadaqah Jariyah on behalf of someone alive?” You can give this form of charity on behalf of family members or friends who are alive to provide them with the ongoing rewards that it can bring. This means that those closest to you can have the ongoing rewards in this life and the Hereafter. Alongside this, Sadaqah Jariyah can be given on behalf of the deceased and is a beautiful way to commemorate their lives, while giving them rewards for the Hereafter.
Sadaqah Jariyah doesn’t count as Zakat because these are two separate forms of charity in Islam. Zakat is an obligation for Muslims who have the financial means, meeting the current Nisab threshold, and is meant to purify wealth and share blessings. Sadaqah Jariyah is an ongoing charity that continues to benefit the poor and needy for years to come, which means it has to be given towards appeals that create something for vulnerable communities to use for decades. This means that Zakat and Sadaqah Jariyah need to be separate donations to fulfil them both and ensure you complete your obligation.
When it comes to how to give Sadaqah Jariyah, the best way to do this is through a charitable organisation, like Muslim Aid, to help those most in need around the world. Sadaqah Jariyah can be an act of kindness as simple as a smile or helping the elderly cross the road that brings happiness and hope, while encouraging the receiver to pass on the kindness to others. However, the way to reach those in need facing poverty, hunger, hardship and conflict is to donate to an appeal.
Here at Muslim Aid, we have a wide range of Sadaqah Jariyah appeals that can provide those most in need with continuous benefits for years to come. You can donate to provide a sewing machine to allow a widow to have an income to support her family, sponsor livestock to support a vulnerable family’s livelihood, fund a life-saving water pump to bring clean water to a community in need, help construct a safe place of worship for vulnerable Muslims, sponsor an orphan and their education, and even create a safe, warm home for a flood-affected family in Pakistan.
Donate Sadaqah Jariyah today to help save countless vulnerable lives across the world and transform lives through vital aid and resources. Your generosity has the power to help countless vulnerable people across generations escape poverty and hardship.
We are a faith-based British international charity that provides help to people who are victims of natural disasters or conflict or suffering from poverty, hunger, disease, homelessness, injustice, deprivation or lack of skills and economic opportunities.
© Copyright 2026. Muslim Aid - Help Muslims Around the World in Need . All Rights Reserved.
Charity CIO No. 1176462
Serving humanity since 1985.
