How does a continuous source of income without having to do anything sound? No this isn’t a finance article, what we’re referring to is sadaqah jariyah. Keep reading to learn what it is and how one good deed can provide you with a continuous source of rewards. Is there any investment out there that can provide better returns than this!
What Is Sadaqah Jariyah?
In very broad terms; acts of charity fall under either zakat or sadaqah. Zakat is a mandatory monetary donation that is given every year by the majority of Muslims. Sadaqah on the other hand is a voluntary form of charity. It doesn’t always have to be monetary in value and is a conscious effort to assist others less fortunate than you. Moreover, unlike zakat, there is no minimum value of sadaqah that is required to be given and it can be given at any time during the year.
Sadaqah is from the Arabic word meaning ‘the voluntary act of giving charity’ while jariyah is derived from the Arabic word meaning ‘ongoing’. There are many forms of sadaqah that can be performed through forms of compassion, faith or love with an example being something as simple as a smile.
The key difference between sadaqah and sadaqah jariyah is that the rewards from the latter are ongoing and will carry on for many years into the future.
This form of charity goes beyond the donor receiving rewards, rather there is a focus on the recipient benefiting from the charity; usually for many years to come.
Without exaggerating there are thousands of ways to perform sadaqah jariyah! When performing any act there should be a conscious effort of helping society and you should also be parting with something that holds value for yourself.
Remembering the basic principles of Islamic finance where all wealth belongs to God, if you spend in the way of God to gain his rewards and you’re parting with something of value for yourself, you will gain the rewards for this as well.
There’ll never be one list that captures all the ways sadaqah jariyah can be received – the list truly is endless. To get you started or be inspired in performing sadaqah jariyah we’ve provided some examples below.
For ease we have grouped them into three main categories; charity, knowledge and sadaqah jariyah from children.
Ways to gain Sadaqah Jariyah
Charity
The act of charity when it comes to sadaqah jariyah is one which will provide ongoing benefits to society. The below examples may seem bewildering in how you can begin doing them but many Islamic charities provide ample opportunities for projects they have started or want to start.
Building a well: One common project is the construction of a well enabling communities to gain access to water. There are many areas of the world where water is inaccessible however the construction of a well goes far beyond just being able to drink clean water.
The lack water accessibility leads to mostly women and children searching and walking for miles to collect the closest source of clean and safe water. This is often in the scorching heat and also takes their time away from other activities such as pursuing an education.
Simple projects have often far reaching benefits which we don’t always think of. By helping in the construction of a well, you will save hours everyday for vulnerable women and children trekking across dangerous terrain in the heat. Having a well in the village will allow the community to have a safer and healthier life and also substitute the hours spent collecting water to pursuing other beneficial activities such as an education.
Whilst you will gain sadaqah jariyah with every sip of water the community has daily from the well, you will also allow the children to become educated which in turn will help the community grow. Their knowledge and skills implemented from their education will also be a continuous source of reward.
Planting trees and vegetation: Assisting in the planting of trees / vegetation can help provide a valuable source of daily income for many people. By allowing people to become self-sufficient in their income you can again allow them to substitute their time for other beneficial causes – which you will also gain rewards for.
This is another example that goes beyond just one benefit for the recipients. Trees, fruits and vegetation can be used for more than just food; they can also provide raw materials for shelter as well as medicinal uses. With each day that someone feels better due to the medicinal qualities found in the flora or each day a family is able to stay safe and sheltered as a result of the tree’s raw products you will also gain the rewards from that.
Paying for a construction of a mosque: The construction of a mosque is always a great cause to contribute to. With your donation towards the construction you will gain the reward every time someone prays inside the mosque.
Mosques are also used to hold get-togethers, provide Quranic classes and a safe space for children activities. Whenever each of these activities takes place you will also gain rewards each time.
There are plenty of charities which facilitate the above examples however you may find some that you can do to help your own community.
You may see something lacking in your everyday life such as the shortage of wheelchairs at your local hospital or you wanting to create a better environment by organizing clean up groups in your local area. Both examples are just as valid as the previous examples in ways to gain sadaqah jariyah.
Knowledge
Providing knowledge is a great way to earn sadaqah jariyah as it will be used in a whole host of ways and possibly on a daily basis.
Giving someone an education: There are many Islamic charities which have projects to build schools, libraries and madrasses. Whether these places provide normal schooling or an Islamic education you are giving the next generation a step up. You are allowing them to gain knowledge and help society where without your help they wouldn’t have a chance.
This can either be done via directly sponsoring a student or contributing to the building of an education establishment. Like the previous examples, this form of sadaqah jariyah will be gained on a recurring basis every time they use the knowledge you allowed them to pursue.
Moreover, if the students then get to teach others or contribute further to society with what you originally contributed for, you will also gain the reward from that.
Teaching others: This doesn’t necessarily have to be something formal such as writing a book. Teaching someone a dua or a younger sibling how to pray, placing a verse from the Qur’an or a remembrance of God e.g. Alhamdillilah on the wall for others to read or even sharing knowledge on social media are all are great ways of gaining sadaqah jariyah.
A very easy way to teach others without doing anything and gain sadaqah jariyah is to simply donate books e.g. a Qur’an. You will gain the reward every time a reader recites the words from that Qur’an.
Children
The last way to explore how to gain sadaqah jariyah is through your children. Without the parents specifically advising the children about anything; children will simply look to their parents to learn what behaviours are right from wrong and also be their role models.
Raising children: Children will enact what they have been taught and learned from their parents in all manners of their life. It will become the backbone for the future decisions that they make. By teaching your children correct Islamic morals your children will use this to benefit society and also enact what they’ve learnt in their own lives. This results in not only a reward for them but for the parent as well.
Sadaqah Jariyah after death: It is possible for people to perform sadaqah jariyah for someone after they have passed away. They can initiate new actions and projects specifying the intention is on the deceased person’s behalf. This will result in the rewards flowing to them.
Whilst this isn’t limited to being initiated by your children, your offsprings will be the ones most likely to contribute to sadaqah jariyah on your behalf.
If they contribute to a well building project or distribute copies of the Qur’an then the sadaqah jariyah will flow to you – this is a very powerful thought when you consider it. After you are no longer alive to perform any good deeds, your children are still providing you with new sources of rewards.
As you can see from the above set of examples – none really require a huge effort to partake in. The rewards of each however are manyfold with some lasting for several years, some for several decades and some only just starting once you have passed away.
There are many charities that allow you to assist in sadaqah jariyah projects. A simple Google search will let you see the hundreds that currently need your donations. Likewise there are many ways you can perform sadaqah jariyah yourself in your local area.
Sadaqah jariyah is a very beneficial way that God has allowed us to benefit both society and ourselves. Sharing this article and its knowledge is another way to gain sadaqah jariyah – so please do go ahead and share!
