Sadaqah Jariyah is a voluntary, ongoing charity whose rewards continue to flow even after the giver has passed away. The phrase comes from the Arabic words “sadaqah” (voluntary charity) and “jariyah” (flowing or continuous), and together they describe a gift that keeps giving, both to those who receive it and to the one who gave it.

It is one of the three deeds that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said continue to benefit a person after death, making it one of the most spiritually significant forms of giving in Islam.

“When a person dies, all their deeds end except three: a continuing charity, beneficial knowledge and a child who prays for them.”

Sahih Muslim

Examples of Sadaqah Jariyah include funding a water well, building or contributing to a school or masjid, planting a tree, supporting an orphan’s education, or sharing knowledge that continues to benefit others long after it is given.

Sadaqah Jariyah is important because it is one of the few acts of worship whose reward does not end at death. For as long as the charity continues to benefit others, the reward continues to reach the giver, even generations after they have passed. This makes it a uniquely powerful form of investment in the hereafter.

It is also a deeply compassionate act in this world. A water borehole drilled in a community without clean water, a school built in an underserved township, or a vocational training programme that equips a woman to earn a sustainable income, these are acts whose impact ripples outward through families and communities for years to come.

Islam promoted what today’s development sector calls “sustainable development” more than 1,400 years ago. Sadaqah Jariyah is the original expression of that principle, addressing root causes rather than symptoms, and building lasting resilience rather than dependency.

There are countless forms of Sadaqah Jariyah. Any act whose benefit continues to reach others after it is given qualifies. Some well-known examples include:

• Funding or building a water well or borehole
• Contributing to the construction of a masjid, school, or hospital
• Sponsoring an orphan’s education
• Teaching someone a skill or sharing beneficial knowledge
• Planting a tree or creating farmland that feeds communities
• Funding a sustainable livelihoods programme
• Providing drip irrigation systems that enable families to grow crops for years
• Creating or contributing to a home or shelter for those in need
• Teaching even a single ayah of the Qur’an to another person

Through Islamic Relief South Africa, your Sadaqah Jariyah can fund borehole rehabilitation, education centres, orphan sponsorship, and livelihoods training that continue to benefit communities in South Africa long after your donation is made.

There are limitless forms of Sadaqah Jariyah. Any act that provides ongoing benefit to others, carried out through lawful means and with a sincere intention, can qualify. The key requirement is that the benefit continues beyond the initial act of giving.

Broadly speaking, Sadaqah Jariyah can take the following forms:

• Physical infrastructure: Wells, boreholes, schools, masjids, hospitals, and shelters
• Education and knowledge: Teaching Qur’an, funding scholarships, training teachers, sharing beneficial books or resources
• Livelihoods: Vocational training, microfinance, and enterprise development that enables people to sustain themselves
• Environmental: Planting trees, creating farmland, or funding irrigation systems
• Orphan and child support: Long-term sponsorship that covers education, healthcare, and nutrition

As long as the project provides ongoing benefit to others through halal means, it can be considered Sadaqah Jariyah.

Both Sadaqah and Sadaqah Jariyah are forms of voluntary charity in Islam, but they differ in the duration of their benefit and reward:

• Sadaqah is any voluntary act of charity or kindness, whether monetary or non-monetary. Its benefit may be immediate and short-term, such as providing a meal to a hungry person or helping someone carry a heavy load. The reward for Sadaqah is earned at the time of giving.
• Sadaqah Jariyah is a specific form of Sadaqah whose benefit continues over time. The reward for Sadaqah Jariyah continues to flow to the giver for as long as the charity benefits others, even after the giver has passed away.

In short, all Sadaqah Jariyah is Sadaqah, but not all Sadaqah is Sadaqah Jariyah. Both are deeply encouraged in Islam and carry immense reward.

Zakat and Sadaqah Jariyah are both forms of charity in Islam, but they are fundamentally different in nature:

• Zakat is obligatory. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is due from every Muslim whose total wealth meets or exceeds the Nisab threshold over a full lunar year. Zakat must be given at a rate of 2.5% of eligible wealth and can only be distributed to the eight categories of recipients specified in the Qur’an. It can be used for both short-term and long-term purposes.
• Sadaqah Jariyah is entirely voluntary. It refers specifically to ongoing charity whose benefit and reward continue over time. There is no minimum amount, no fixed time, and no restriction on recipients beyond the requirement that the cause is lawful and beneficial.

Zakat is a religious obligation with specific rules, while Sadaqah Jariyah is a free and open act of generosity whose defining feature is its lasting impact.

Sadaqah Jariyah can be given to any individual, community, or cause that will benefit from it on an ongoing basis. This includes the poor and needy, orphans and vulnerable children, communities without access to clean water or education, and any project or programme that creates lasting benefit for people.

Unlike Zakat, Sadaqah Jariyah is not restricted to specific categories of recipients. It can benefit both Muslims and non-Muslims. The key requirement is that the cause is lawful, beneficial, and that the benefit continues over time.

Islamic Relief South Africa directs Sadaqah Jariyah donations to long-term development programmes across South Africa, including water access, education, livelihoods, and orphan support, serving all communities in need regardless of faith or background.

Sadaqah Jariyah is unique in that it benefits multiple parties simultaneously:

• The giver: Earns ongoing reward in this life and in the hereafter for as long as the charity continues to benefit others. This reward can extend beyond the giver’s lifetime, and potentially across generations.
• Those in need: Receive immediate and long-lasting relief. A borehole provides clean water for decades. A school shapes the futures of hundreds of children. A livelihoods programme breaks the cycle of poverty for entire families.
• Communities: The ripple effect of Sadaqah Jariyah extends beyond the immediate recipient to their families, neighbours, and future generations.
• Loved ones: When given on behalf of a deceased person, the reward of Sadaqah Jariyah reaches them in the hereafter, making it a profound act of love and remembrance.

Yes. It is entirely permissible and deeply encouraged to give Sadaqah Jariyah on behalf of another person, whether they are living or have passed away. If you make the intention of giving on their behalf, the reward will reach them with the permission of Allah (SWT), without diminishing your own reward in any way.

Many Muslims choose to give Sadaqah Jariyah in memory of a deceased parent, spouse, child, or loved one as a lasting memorial. Common acts include funding a water borehole, contributing to an education centre, or sponsoring an orphan in their name.

When donating through Islamic Relief South Africa, you can specify in the notes that the donation is on behalf of a named individual. Please contact us on 0800 111 898 or at info@islamic-relief.org.za if you need assistance.

Yes. Sadaqah Jariyah can be given to a mosque in the form of contributions towards construction, maintenance, educational materials, furnishings, or any other long-term feature that continues to benefit worshippers and the community. A masjid is a place of worship, learning, and community gathering, and contributing to its upkeep is a valid and rewarded form of ongoing charity.

Sadaqah Jariyah given to a registered charity such as Islamic Relief South Africa is equally valid and impactful. Your donation funds long-term development programmes whose benefits continue to reach communities for years after the initial gift is made.

Sadaqah Jariyah can be given at any time of year. There is no fixed season or minimum amount. Many Muslims choose to give during particularly blessed times, such as the month of Ramadan or the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, when the reward for good deeds is multiplied.

It is also common to give Sadaqah Jariyah following the death of a loved one, as a way of continuing their legacy of good deeds and ensuring that reward continues to reach them. Some Muslims give Sadaqah Jariyah to mark a birth, a marriage, a recovery from illness, or simply as an act of gratitude to Allah (SWT).

The most important thing is sincerity of intention. Sadaqah Jariyah given at any time, with a pure heart and a genuine desire to benefit others, is accepted and rewarded by Allah (SWT).

There is no Islamic requirement to give Sadaqah Jariyah specifically when something bad happens, but it is a deeply encouraged and spiritually beneficial act at such times. Many Muslims give Sadaqah Jariyah following a bereavement, an illness, or a period of hardship as a means of seeking Allah’s mercy, comfort, and protection.

Giving charity in the name of a deceased loved one is a particularly meaningful act, as it creates a lasting memorial and ensures that reward continues to reach them in the hereafter. It can also bring comfort and a sense of purpose to those who are grieving.

Equally, giving Sadaqah Jariyah during times of prosperity and gratitude is highly encouraged. It is a way of acknowledging that all blessings come from Allah (SWT) and of sharing those blessings with others in a way that endures.

Islamic Relief South Africa directs Sadaqah Jariyah donations to long-term development programmes that create lasting change in vulnerable communities. These include:

• Water access: Rehabilitating existing boreholes and installing new ones to provide clean, reliable water to communities that currently rely on unsafe sources. Each borehole serves a community for many years.
• Education: Funding learning centres, school feeding programmes, and bursaries for students who would otherwise be unable to access quality education. Educated children go on to uplift their families and communities.
• Orphan sponsorship: Providing long-term support for orphaned and vulnerable children, covering food, healthcare, shelter, and education throughout their formative years.
• Sustainable livelihoods: Equipping women and youth with vocational skills, microfinance access, and enterprise development support so they can build sustainable incomes and break the cycle of poverty.

According to our most recent annual report, 87 cents of every R1 donated goes directly into helping people in need, with 6 cents covering administrative costs and 7 cents invested in raising further funds.

Yes. Islamic Relief South Africa has a dedicated local giving programme that allows you to direct your Sadaqah Jariyah to communities here at home. South Africa has significant levels of poverty, unemployment, and inequality, and your local Sadaqah Jariyah donation creates lasting impact for your neighbours in need.

You can choose to direct your donation to specific long-term programmes such as borehole installation, orphan sponsorship, education centre funding, or livelihoods training. To discuss how your Sadaqah Jariyah can be directed locally, please contact us on 0800 111 898 or at info@islamic-relief.org.za.

Yes. Islamic Relief South Africa is a registered Section 18A organisation, which means donations made to us qualify for a tax deduction under South African law. When you donate, you will receive a Section 18A tax certificate that you can use when submitting your annual tax return to SARS.

This applies to both once-off and recurring Sadaqah Jariyah donations. Our charity registration number is 043-357-NPO. For any queries regarding tax certificates, please contact us on 0800 111 898 or at info@islamic-relief.org.za.

Yes. Islamic Relief South Africa is a fully registered and independently audited non-profit organisation. We have been serving communities across South Africa since 2004 and are part of the global Islamic Relief Worldwide network, which operates in over 40 countries.

Our registration details are as follows:

• NPO Registration: 043-357-NPO
• Section 18A Status: Donations are tax deductible
• Registered address: 396 Imam Haron Road, Lansdowne 7780, Cape Town
• Annual reports: Published and available on our website

We are committed to full transparency and accountability to our donors, beneficiaries, and the communities we serve. Our annual impact report details exactly how every rand donated is spent and the lives it has changed.

There are several ways to give your Sadaqah Jariyah donation:

• Online: Visit donate.islamic-relief.org.za to make a secure once-off or monthly donation
• EFT / Bank transfer (General donations, excluding Zakat):
  Bank: Standard Bank  |  Account Name: Islamic Relief SA
  Branch: Fordsburg  |  Branch Code: 005205  |  Swift: SBZAZAJJ
  Account No: 005318459  |  Ref: Fund Name and Mobile Number
• EFT / Bank transfer (Zakat only):
  Bank: FNB  |  Account Name: Islamic Relief SA
  Branch: Smith Street  |  Branch Code: 221426  |  Swift: FIRNZAJJ
  Account No: 62161066933  |  Ref: Fund Name and Mobile Number
• Phone: Call us toll-free on 0800 111 898 (opening hours apply)
• In person: Visit our offices at 396 Imam Haron Road, Lansdowne, Cape Town

You can choose to give a once-off donation or set up a recurring monthly Sadaqah Jariyah. You can also direct your donation to a specific long-term programme such as water access, orphan sponsorship, education, or livelihoods. If you wish to give on behalf of a deceased loved one, please mention this when donating or contact our team directly.