DARUL IFTAA
Ṣadaqah Jāriyah: Charities That Benefit the Deceased
Darul Iftaa – Malawi
Performing acts of charity for the sake of Allah not only benefits those in need but also brings continuous reward (ṣadaqah jāriyah) to the deceased. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When a person dies, his deeds end except for three: continuous charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1631)
Here is a guide to the most rewarding deeds according to the Qur’an and Sunnah:
1. Water Charity – Wells, Pumps, Drinking Water
أَفْضَلُ الصَّدَقَةِ سَقْيُ الْمَاءِ
Translation: “The best form of charity is giving water.”
Reference: Musnad Aḥmad 23489; Sunan Ibn Mājah 3684 (Ḥasan)
Providing clean water benefits humans, animals, and plants. Each use brings continuous reward to the donor.
2. Building and Supporting a Masjid
مَنْ بَنَى لِلَّهِ مَسْجِدًا بَنَى اللَّهُ لَهُ بَيْتًا فِي الْجَنَّةِ
Translation: “Whoever builds a mosque for Allah, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 450; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 533
Every prayer, dhikr, or Qur’an recitation performed in the mosque earns reward for the builder, continuously.
3. Beneficial Knowledge
عِلْمًا عَلَّمَهُ وَنَشَرَهُ
Translation: “Knowledge that he taught and spread.”
Reference: Sunan Ibn Mājah 242 (ḥasan)
Teaching and spreading knowledge ensures continuous reward whenever it is taught, learned, or acted upon.
4. Donating Mushafs / Qur’an Copies
مُصْحَفًا وَرَّثَهُ
Translation: “A copy of the Qur’an that he leaves as a legacy.”
Reference: Sunan Ibn Mājah 242 (ḥasan)
Every recitation of the Qur’an from this copy brings ongoing reward to the donor.
5. Sponsoring Orphans
أَنَا وَكَافِلُ الْيَتِيمِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ كَهَاتَيْنِ
Translation: “I and the one who sponsors an orphan will be in Paradise like this.” (gesturing with index and middle fingers)
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5304; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2983
Continuous reward as long as the orphan is supported, reflecting immense mercy and responsibility.
6. Feeding the Poor
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، أَفْشُوا السَّلَامَ، وَأَطْعِمُوا الطَّعَامَ…
Translation: “O people, spread peace, feed others…”
Reference: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2485 (Ṣaḥīḥ)
Every act of feeding reaches the deceased, rewarding them each time food is given.
7. Building Houses for Travelers
أَوْ بَيْتًا لِابْنِ السَّبِيلِ بَنَاهُ
Translation: “A house that he built for travelers.”
Reference: Sunan Ibn Mājah 242
Reward continues as long as travelers benefit from this facility.
8. Digging Canals / Waterways
أَوْ نَهْرًا أَجْرَاهُ
Translation: “A canal that he dug.”
Reference: Sunan Ibn Mājah 242
Long-term reward is earned whenever people, animals, or crops use the water.
9. Saving Lives / Medical Charity
وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا
Translation: “Whoever saves one life, it is as though he has saved all of mankind.”
Reference: Qur’an 5:32
Saving lives or easing suffering grants continuous reward to the donor.
10. Planting Trees / Agriculture
مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يَغْرِسُ غَرْسًا أَوْ يَزْرَعُ زَرْعًا…
Translation: “No Muslim plants a tree or sows crops… except that it is charity for him.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2320; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1553
Every benefit received from plants or crops counts as ongoing reward.
11. Mercy to Animals
فِي كُلِّ كَبِدٍ رَطْبَةٍ أَجْرٌ
Translation: “There is a reward for serving every living being.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2363; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2244
Acts of kindness to animals bring Allah’s mercy and continuous reward.
12. Relieving Hardship / Debt
مَنْ نَفَّسَ عَنْ مُؤْمِنٍ كُرْبَةً…
Translation: “Whoever relieves a believer from a hardship of this world, Allah will relieve him on the Day of Judgment.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2699
Reward continues as hardships are eased for others.
13. Charity Given During Lifetime
أَوْ صَدَقَةً أَخْرَجَهَا مِنْ مَالِهِ فِي صِحَّتِهِ وَحَيَاتِهِ
Translation: “Charity that he gave from his wealth while he was healthy and alive.”
Reference: Sunan Ibn Mājah 242
Sincere charity continues to benefit the donor even after death.
14. Charity on Behalf of the Deceased
عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، إِنَّ أُمِّي تُوُفِّيَتْ وَأَنَا غَائِبٌ عَنْهَا، أَفَيَنْفَعُهَا أَنْ أَتَصَدَّقَ عَلَيْهَا؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ
Translation:
Saʿd ibn ʿUbādah (RA) asked:
“O Messenger of Allah, my mother has died while I was absent. Will anything benefit her if I give charity on her behalf?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied: “Yes.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2756
Virtue / Reward:
Acts of charity performed on behalf of the deceased reach them and provide ongoing reward (ṣadaqah jāriyah).
Performing any of these deeds with sincere intention for Allah not only helps the living but also brings continuous reward to loved ones who have passed away. The Prophet ﷺ emphasized that every act done purely for Allah’s sake can benefit others long after we are gone.
“The one who builds a mosque for Allah, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 533)
Let us strive to give in charity, teach beneficial knowledge, and care for the needy, so that our reward continues beyond this life.
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