What is Sadaqah Jariyah?
The concept of Sadaqah Jariyah is found only in the religion of Islam. Sadaqah Jariyah is one of the best deeds that cause immeasurable rewards.
We put in much effort, energy, investment, and time to spend our lives and achieve our goals. But being Muslim, we believe that this world is temporary. That is why many pious persons spend their time, money, and effort focusing on the world hereafter. Sadaqah is one of them.
Alla SWT says in Quran,
مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنۢبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِى كُلِّ سُنۢبُلَةٍۢ مِّا۟ئَةُ حَبَّةٍۢ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُضَـٰعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ ٢٦١
Translation
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed which grows seven spikes, in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies (his reward) for whom He wills. And Allah is all-encompassing and knowing”.
Al-Quran 2: 261
Giving sadaqah is the best way to please Allah Almighty. We get its reward not only in this world but after our death as well. Sadaqah Jariyah is one of its best practices.
What is Sadaqah Jariyah
First, we need to understand what sadaqah e Jariyah is. What is the difference between Sadaqah and Sadaqah Jariyah?
Sadaqa is something apart from the fourth pillar of Islam, ‘Zakat’. Zakat is obligatory, while sadaqah is a great Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAWW.
Sadaqah is a good deed that a person does voluntarily. Giving food, money, clothes, or even greeting someone with a smile is called sadaqah in Islam.
While Sadaqah Jariyah is a form of sadaqah that means “a continuous, flowing or ongoing charity”. One can be rewarded and blessed not only in this world for giving sadaqah jariyah but also after his death.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAWW said,
“When a person dies, his deeds end except for three, Sadaqah e Jariyah, a knowledge from which benefit is gained, or a righteous child who prays for him.”
(Muslim)
By giving sadaqah or charity, you get the reward once, and the recipient also benefits from it for the time being. Still, providing charity of sadaqah jariyah will be an ongoing act of reward giving and blessings.
There are many kinds of Sadaqah Jariyah. We find a few types of Sadaqah Jariyah in the following Hadith narrated by Abu Hurrairah R.A,
“Indeed, the reward of his actions and good deeds that will reach a believer after his death is,
- The knowledge that he taught and spread.
- A righteous child whom he leaves behind.
- A copy of the Quran that he leaves as a legacy.
- A mosque that he built.
- A house that he built for wayfarers
- A canal that he dug
- Or a charity he gave from his wealth in good health and life. (these deeds) Will reach him after his death
(Ibn Majah)
Any of the acts mentioned above come in the category of Sadaqah Jariyiah. The best thing about this kind of charity is one can do it in the name of his/her loved one. For example, if a person has lost his/her mother or father and he/she wants to benefit them directly, Sadaqah Jariyah is the best way to honor their memory.
This continuous good deed will not only reward the person himself, rather it is a direct way to send the reward to his/her parents to make an effort for their higher rank in Jannah.
Similarly Allah SWT mentions in the Holy Quran,
إِنَّ ٱلْمُصَّدِّقِينَ وَٱلْمُصَّدِّقَـٰتِ وَأَقْرَضُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًۭا يُضَـٰعَفُ لَهُمْ وَلَهُمْ أَجْرٌۭ كَرِيمٌۭ ١٨
Translation
“Indeed, those men and women who give charity and lend to Allah a good loan will have it multiplied for them, and they will have an honorable reward.”
Al-Quran 57: 18
Giving charity or Sadaqah is the best way to please Allah Almighty. It can erase the anger of our Lord. We can get real inner peace by giving to charity. May Allah make us capable of giving more and more sadaqah and get the closeness of Allah Almighty. Ameen.