The Hadith That Defines Sadaqah Jariyah
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
"When a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three things: sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity), beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them." (Muslim)
This hadith tells us something profound: your connection to this world ends at death — except for these three channels through which rewards continue flowing to you indefinitely.
What Counts as Sadaqah Jariyah?
Any charitable act that continues to benefit people after the initial giving qualifies. Examples include:
Traditional Examples
- Building a water well — provides clean water for years
- Building or funding a mosque — every prayer performed there earns you reward
- Planting trees — every fruit eaten, every shade provided is charity
- Funding education — every student who benefits passes on the reward
- Publishing beneficial knowledge — books, articles, teachings
Modern Examples
- Funding agricultural infrastructure — farms that produce food for decades
- Sponsoring medical equipment — saves lives for years
- Establishing scholarships — educates students indefinitely
- Contributing to waqf (endowment) — generates income for charity permanently
- Creating educational content online — reaches people worldwide forever
Sadaqah Jariyah vs Regular Sadaqah
Regular sadaqah: You give $100 for a meal. The meal is eaten. The reward is recorded once.
Sadaqah jariyah: You give $100 to plant a tree. The tree produces fruit for 50 years. Every fruit eaten by every person and animal earns you ongoing reward — for 50 years.
The math is clear: sadaqah jariyah is the highest-leverage form of charity available.
Why Trees Are the Classic Sadaqah Jariyah
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "There is no Muslim who plants a tree or sows a seed, and then a bird, or a person, or an animal eats from it, except that it is regarded as charity for him." (Bukhari & Muslim)
A single tree can produce food for 30-100 years. Every creature that benefits from it — human, animal, or bird — generates reward for the one who planted it.
How to Give Sadaqah Jariyah Today
Umma Foundation runs multiple programs that qualify as sadaqah jariyah — from agricultural development (UMMA Farm) to education programs to infrastructure projects. Your contribution creates ongoing benefit that compounds over time.
