Islamic Support for Waqf and Sadaqah Jariyah

Scholars cite a documented exchange between the Companion ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khaṭṭab, God be pleased with him, and the Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him, as the origin of charitable endowment (waqf) and ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah).

‘Umar, God be pleased with him, received a share of the land of Khaybar. He came to the Messenger of Allah, God’s blessings and peace be upon him, asking what he should do with it. He said: “O Messenger of Allah! I have been given a share of [the orchards of] Khaybar. Never have I been given wealth dearer to me than this. To what do you recommend me regarding it? He [the Prophet, on him be peace] said: “If you wish, you may freeze it” [that is, endow it as a Waqf]. ‘Umar then bequeathed [the land] to charity, stipulating that it was not to be sold, given away as a gift, or inherited. Rather, he designated [its produce] for the poor, relatives, slaves, wayfarers, and guests, for the sake of God. Nor would there be sin upon one appointed to tend it if he ate a normal amount from it, or likewise fed others, storing none of it for the future. (Bukhari and Muslim)

Did the Prophet, on him be peace, specifically say Sadaqah Jariyah benefits us after our death?

Yes. The Prophet, on him be peace, said:

“When a human being dies, all one’s deeds cease, save three: a Sadaqah Jariyah, [religious] knowledge [one leaves behind] from which others benefit, and a righteous child who prays for one” (Muslim).

He said also:

“The best one leaves behind after death are three: a righteous child who prays for one, a Sadaqah Jariyah, the rewards of which continue to reach one, and [religious] knowledge that continues to be applied after him” (Ibn Majah).

What is the difference between Sadaqah as charity and Sadaqah Jariyah, as ongoing charity?

Charity that is purely Sadaqah, meaning it is not ongoing, is given to another to become that person’s property to dispose of as that recipient sees fit, for example, money, food, clothing, medicine, utensils, etc. Sadaqah Jariyah, an ongoing charity, suspends the original property in a state of endowment, so that its fruits or proceeds may continuously or repeatedly be given to whomever makes up the original giver’s designees. That original charitable property is not given away in any circumstance.

What happens if the original property designated for Sadaqah Jariyah charity disappears?

Sadaqah Jariyah continues so long as its waqf remains in existence. 

A well that provides water is an ongoing charity and provides its donor(s) reward for its use as long as it remains in existence. A home, or shelter for the widow, the orphan, or the refugee or displaced continues benefiting its giver with reward for the duration of that charitable item’s useful life.  

If the well runs out of water, or it becomes undrinkable, or if the donated one has donated falls into disrepair, then that facility or apparatus may be sold. 

The Prophet, on him be peace, gives examples of this:

“Of the good works whose benefit flows to a believer after death is knowledge one taught and promulgated, a righteous child who lived after one, a copy of the Quran that one left as inheritance, a mosque one built, a house one built for the two kinds of wayfarers [travelers and the displaced], a stream one ran [that is, dug or directed for others to benefit from], a charity given from one’s wealth while healthy in life such that it will reach one [in reward] after death,” meaning the charity is given with that intent and not for the sake of one’s cure from illness (Ibn Majah).

The underlying concept of these charities is that someone intentionally causes them in goodness for the sake of God, either through one’s deliberate striving or good action. For this reason, God tallies the efforts of others as one’s own earnings.  

Does the size or amount of the Sadaqah Jariyah matter?

No. The Prophet, on him be peace, specifically stated: “One who builds a mosque for the sake of Allah — though it be as [small as] the nest of a sand grouse — Allah will build for such a one a house in Paradise”. This means that no matter the quantity of an ongoing charity, it will yield reward to its giver so long as its use remains.

Does Sadaqah Jariyah provide special reward to its givers in the Hereafter?

Sadaqah Jariyah increases our reward in the Hereafter because of the perpetual or ongoing benefit it provides people in need in this life. This is important because the Prophet, on him be peace, said:

“The charity of each one shades him on the Day of Resurrection — a Day in which the sun shall be brought near the heads of people, until Allah passes judgment between them”.

Charity is an investment in our Hereafter, and Sadaqah Jariyah magnifies the physical manifestation of our investment on the Day of Judgment, while increasing its spiritual weight in our balances, causing a single charitable investment to grow both in number and volume.

How You Can Help

Join us in our mission! As you plan your wealth, savings, inheritance, keep in mind that some of those funds could be directed to a Waqf.  The Foundation invests 100% of the funds under strict guidelines in our investment policy.  Only the returns on these investments are used to directly fund Uplift Charity, so that they can continue their underlying goal of keeping 100% of your Zakat donations for direct use to those in need.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about the Foundation. Together, we can work to build this foundation and create a brighter future for those in need in Southern California.