Some acts of charity end the moment they are given. Others keep giving for years, even generations. That second kind has a name in the Islamic tradition: sadaqah jariyah, an ongoing charity whose benefit and reward continue long after the initial gift. Here is what it means, and how you can give it in Australia today.
What sadaqah jariyah means
Sadaqah jariyah translates as continuous or flowing charity. It is any good deed that keeps benefiting people over time. A well-known hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim teaches that when a person dies their deeds come to an end, except for three: an ongoing charity, knowledge that benefits others, and a righteous child who prays for them. Sadaqah jariyah is the first of these, and it is why so many people look for ways to give that will outlast them.
Everyday examples
Classic examples include digging a well that provides clean water for years, funding a student’s education, or building something the community keeps using. The common thread is lasting benefit: you give once, and people keep benefiting long afterward.
How it differs from zakat and sadaqah
Zakat is the obligatory annual charity every eligible Muslim pays on their wealth. Sadaqah is any voluntary charity, big or small. Sadaqah jariyah is a special kind of sadaqah: charity designed to keep giving. All three matter, and together they form a complete picture of generosity.
Sadaqah jariyah at House of Sadaqa
Our Waqf Fund is built for exactly this. A waqf is an endowment: your contribution is invested, and the returns are used to support families in need, so the gift keeps working year after year rather than being spent once. Our social enterprises follow the same principle, generating ongoing income that supports the community for the long term. It is a modern expression of a model that has served communities for centuries.
How to give sadaqah jariyah
You can start a sadaqah jariyah today by contributing to the Waqf Fund, or give where it is needed most and let it support families through our ongoing programs.
Frequently asked questions
What does sadaqah jariyah mean?
Sadaqah jariyah is ongoing or continuous charity. Unlike a one-off gift, it keeps benefiting people over time, and the reward continues for the giver for as long as others benefit from it.
What is the difference between zakat, sadaqah, and sadaqah jariyah?
Zakat is the obligatory annual charity of 2.5% on eligible wealth. Sadaqah is any voluntary charity. Sadaqah jariyah is charity that keeps giving, such as a water well, a school, or an endowment that funds families year after year.
How can I give sadaqah jariyah in Australia?
You can contribute to the House of Sadaqa Waqf Fund, an endowment invested so its returns support local families over the long term. Our social enterprises work in the same spirit, generating ongoing income for the community.
This article is general information about a point of Islamic practice, not a religious ruling. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult a qualified scholar.
Support the work behind this article
House of Sadaqa is a registered Australian charity helping local families in crisis with household essentials, whitegoods and emergency relief. There are three direct ways to be part of it:
- Donate, with donations over $2 tax-deductible
- Volunteer your time in the warehouse, on outreach runs, or at events
- Clear a NSW fine through a Work and Development Order
You can also support us without donating a cent, simply by choosing one of our social enterprises. Each one puts its profits back into supporting families:
- Goodwill Connect, NBN internet for Greater Sydney
- Panda Paper, premium bamboo toilet paper delivered to your door
- The Goodwill Laundry, self-serve laundry in Bankstown
- The Goodwill Shop, our op-shops in Revesby and Bankstown