Sadaqah & Sadaqah Jariyah in Islam: Meaning, Types, Rewards and How to Give
Why Sadaqah Matters in Islam
In the Qur’an, Allah (swt) gives us a powerful image of charity:
“The example of those who spend their
wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes;
in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom
He wills.” (Qur’an 2:261)
This beautiful verse is a reminder that
a single act of charity, no matter how small, has the potential to multiply
beyond what we can imagine, both in its impact for those in need and with our
reward from Allah (swt). Like a seed planted in quality soil, one drop of
kindness can ripple outwards, nourishing communities, uplifting families,
opening doors for brighter futures and saving lives.
At Muslim Charity,
we see the power of Sadaqah in our work every single day. A village that once
struggled without clean water now flourishes after a well is built. Sadaqah
donations can help a child who
might never have gone to school grow up to teach others because their education
was sponsored. Street children, like Halimah, have been removed from harm’s
way, given safety and security in a world that has repeatedly failed them.
These life changing projects, and countless others like them are
possible through generous giving of Sadaqah - voluntary charity given with
sincerity. Closely linked to it is Sadaqah Jariyah, or ongoing charity, which continues to bring rewards long after
the act has been performed.
In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of Sadaqah and Sadaqah
Jariyah in Islam, what they mean, their types, their immense benefits, how they
differ from Zakat and how you can take practical steps to give charity in a way
that truly makes a difference.
What is Sadaqah?
At its very heart, Sadaqah is about intention, sincerity and
helping others. The word comes from the Arabic root sidq, meaning truthfulness. To give Sadaqah is to give truthfully,
from a place of genuine care and compassion, seeking Allah’s pleasure,
protection and reward.
Unlike Zakat, which is an obligatory form of charity with set rules
based on who must give Zakat, how often and frequently and where Zakat can be
spent, Sadaqah is completely voluntary. There is no limit on how much or how
little can be given, when or who can receive it. What matters most is
intention.
The Prophet ﷺ
taught us: “Sadaqah extinguishes sins as
water extinguishes fire.” (Tirmidhi). Charity, therefore, isn’t only about
helping others, but it is about our own connection to Allah (swt). Giving
Sadaqah allows us to turn to Allah for forgiveness and protection.
While we may often think of Sadaqah as being a monetary donation,
at its heart, it is so much more than that. There are examples of actions in
our everyday life that are acts of sadaqah – acts of goodness, truthfulness and
connection with others. Here are some examples of Sadaqah:
●
Offering a smile: The
Prophet ﷺ
said even smiling at your brother or sister is an act of charity. Smiling at
others helps to promote unity, safety and community.
●
Sharing food: Offering a
meal or some food to a neighbour or someone in need helps foster bonds of
community and friendship.
●
Removing harm from a
path: Clearing a harmful object from the road such as a nail, banana peel or a
sharp object helps keep others safe and prevents accidents or injuries.
●
Donating household
items, clothes or food: Sometimes shelters or charities need items to support
vulnerable people, and making donations of items you no longer need can help
somebody struggling.
●
Giving your time:
Helping a friend move, tutoring a child or even listening with patience is also
Sadaqah. You can also give your time to charitable projects such as
volunteering, supporting at soup kitchens or tidying your local mosque.
When we live with this mindset, almost everything we do can become
an act of charity.
What is Sadaqah Jariyah?
The Prophet ﷺ
said: “When a man dies, all his deeds end
except three: ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah), beneficial knowledge or a
righteous child who prays for him.” (Muslim)
This hadith reminds us that our lives are short, but our good actions in this
life can outlast us, benefiting us long after we are gone. Sadaqah jariyah is
charity that continues to benefit people, and continues to bring us rewards,
even after we have left this world. While some Sadaqah initiatives have a
short-term impact, Sadaqah Jariyah is focused on long-term, sustainable impact,
helping people for years to come, generation after generation.
Examples of Sadaqah Jariyah
Here are a few examples of Sadaqah Jariyah:
● Building a mosque: Mosques will serve communities for generations
to come, helping people practise and strengthen their faith, while also
learning more about Islam and teaching others. Every prayer, every word of
Qur’an recited within it, becomes part of your reward.
● Constructing schools: Schools are places of growth and opportunity,
helping children build better futures. A good education helps children escape
the claws of poverty, breaking cycles and uplifting entire communities and
future generations.
● Digging wells and water projects: Providing clean water saves lives
and helps stop the spread of disease. For years, people will benefit from clean
water and women and children will no longer have to walk for miles. It gives
opportunities for education, work and rest, facilitating long-term change.
● Planting trees: Providing shade, fruit and oxygen for years to
come. Planting trees can help farmers build a sustainable livelihood for years
to come, supporting their families and future generations.
● Orphan sponsorship: Sponsoring an orphan means the child has
everything they need to truly thrive – a safe home, a quality education,
healthcare, food and so much more. Each donation enables the child to lead a
life of dignity and build a future away from poverty and struggle.
In short, there are key differences between Sadaqah
and Sadaqah Jariyah:
● Sadaqah: Acts of kindness with immediate effect, like feeding
someone or removing something harmful from the road.
● Sadaqah Jariyah: Donations that create a lasting legacy, like
building a water well, mosque or a school.
Sadaqah vs Zakat: Key
Differences
Sadaqah and Zakat are both key types of charity in Islam, important
to Muslims all over the world. It is important to understand the difference
between Sadaqah and Zakat, so your intention at the time of giving is clear.
The main difference between Sadaqah and Zakat is that the former is a voluntary
donation, while the latter is an obligation upon all adult Muslims of sane
mind, who own wealth above the nisab – a minimum, pre-established threshold.
While Sadaqah can be given in any amount, at any point in the year, to any
person in need, Zakat is substantially different. Zakat must be calculated at
2.5% of one’s wealth above the nisab, and donated on a yearly basis, reflecting
a person’s wealth that particular year. Zakat can only be given among eight
groups of people, which Allah has detailed in the Qur’an. Zakat is also focused
on ownership, where the donation made must become the property, or owned by,
the person receiving it. This means certain charitable initiatives that involve
community ownership cannot be fulfilled through Zakat donations.
Zakat is often considered a form of redistribution of wealth, helping to create
more balanced communities around the world. For Muslims, the payment of Zakat
is a reminder that this wealth was never actually meant for us and we were only
guardians for a short time. The real owners of the wealth are those who will
receive the Zakat donations.
Sadaqah donations can also be made to express gratitude to Allah
(swt) for something positive such as a new job, getting married, having a baby
or passing a difficult test. Sadaqah can also be given in seeking protection
from Allah (swt), such as against illness, misfortune or calamity. Offering Aqiqah after a baby has been born is also a form of Sadaqah.
This table summarises the difference between Sadaqah and Zakat:
Both types of charity are vital. Zakat ensures fairness and reduces
inequality, while Sadaqah keeps generosity alive in our daily lives. Together,
they nurture a balanced society.
Types of Sadaqah and
Sadaqah Jariyah
There are different types of Sadaqah and Sadaqah Jariyah, which
means there are ample ways to support those in need while also reaping the
rewards of this beautiful charity. There is a huge importance of both Sadaqah
and Sadaqah Jariyah in Islam.
Sadaqah itself is largely thought of as short-term initiatives, or everyday
acts which help others. Sadaqah donations include providing food to those in
need, or the sacrifice of animals for Aqiqah or as a Sadaqah donation. Other
forms of Sadaqah involve everyday actions such as giving your time to support
others, smiling at others, removing harmful things from pathways and sharing
food.
Sadaqah Jariyah is focused on long-term impact, and so often involves larger
initiatives that will continue to support people for years and generations to
come. These projects mean that continually people are being supported, uplifted
and saved. Sadaqah Jariyah allow people in need to truly thrive. They often
remove a harmful barrier, keeping people safe and healthy, allowing them to
build their livelihoods, educate their children and spend time with their loved
ones. Common Sadaqah Jariyah involves providing clean water through wells or
other water sources, building mosques or constructing schools.
Each time somebody benefits from your Sadaqah Jariyah, whether that is through a drink of clean water, reading the
Qur’an in a mosque you built or a child attending a class at school, you will
be rewarded. As the initiative is continuous and long-lasting, it will continue
to benefit people in need for years to come, bringing you rewards each day.
With Sadaqah Jariyah, there are also a lot of indirect benefits for those in
need and that too will bring you blessings. For example, when you build a well, you help keep more children in school as they are no longer
forced to walk for miles to collect water. As the child gets an education and
helps more people throughout their life, you too will be rewarded.
Types of Sadaqah (Everyday Acts)
● A smile
● Feeding people
● Donating money, clothes or food
● Volunteering or helping others
Types of Sadaqah Jariyah (Sustainable Acts)
● Building mosques and schools
● Digging wells and water projects
● Printing and distributing the Qur’an
● Planting trees
Think of everyday Sadaqah as planting seeds of kindness in people’s
hearts, while Sadaqah Jariyah plants roots that grow into forests of ongoing
benefit.
To Know more about Sadaqah & Sadaqah
Jariyah Meaning, Types, Rewards and How to Give
please visit our blog page: https://muslimcharity.org.uk/news/sadaqah-and-sadaqah-jariyah-in-islam-meaning-types-rewards-and-how-to-give
Comments
Post a Comment