Sadaqah Jariya, (giving charity) is a continuous form of charity, a good action or kind deed that will benefit an individual or facilitate the spread of Islam. It is a highly blessed action in the Muslim faith. The method in which we give charity is just as important and crucial to consider if we solely intend to receive the pure pleasure of Allah Almighty. First and foremost, you can give charity anytime during your lifetime and it is better to practice this as regularly as possible. Giving charity is one of the ways in which we can prepare for the Hereafter.
Taking this into consideration, it is better to practice the giving of charity in advance, as opposed to delaying until our old age, which can be the norm these days. Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) states:
“The best of what a man leaves behind are three: a righteous child who supplicates for him, ongoing charity the reward of which reaches him, and knowledge that is acted upon after him.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 237)
It is important to note that the quantity donated is not significant as holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) states:
“Protect yourself from the Hellfire, even with half of a date in charity.”
(Musnad Al Bazzar, Hadith 6619)
Giving a little at a time goes a very long way, and the act of Sadaqah Jariya will testify for us on the Day of Judgment. This can potentially save us from Hellfire. We must not be mistaken in our thinking and assume that giving Sadaqah Jariya is a way to license our sins, and that it will wipe away our continuing sins. Neither can it be used to avoid the Fard, necessary actions ordained by Allah Almighty, such as praying Salah, giving Zakat and fasting in Ramadan. Ultimately, we are accountable for all our sins and responsible for fulfilling our Fard, obligatory actions. In terms of giving to charity, it is preferable to support the Muslim community and our brothers and sisters in Islam who are less fortunate. Below, we will specify some of the ways in which we can give Sadaqah Jariya:
Giving Water
It is narrated in Sunan Al Nisai, Hadith 3664, that the Prophetic Companion Hazrat Sa’d ibn ‘Ubadah (RA) reported:
‘I said: “O Messenger of Allah Almighty, my mother has died. Shall I give charity on her behalf?” Holy Prophet ﷺ, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Yes.” I said: “Which charity is best?” Holy Prophet ﷺ (peace be upon him) said: “A drink of water.”’
Unfortunately, many of our brothers and sisters all over the world go without water, a resource which many of us often take for granted. Contributing towards the construction of water pumps and wells, especially in countries facing water shortages, is an act through which we can show our gratitude to Allah Almighty in the hope of gaining His pleasure. Water can also be provided to (Halal) animals and plants, but it is better to prioritise the community or Halal animals over those that are not.
Education
Transmitting knowledge of Islam to your fellow community is a highly recommended action, especially if the knowledge taught is acted upon by that person. Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) states:
“The best of charity is when a Muslim man gains knowledge, then he teaches it to his Muslim brother.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 243)
Furthermore, Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) states:
“Whoever teaches some knowledge will have the reward of the one who acts upon it, without that detracting from his reward in the slightest.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 240)
Smiling
Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) states:
“Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity; commanding good and forbidding evil is charity; your giving directions to a man lost in the land is charity for you. Your seeing for a man with bad sight is a charity for you; your removal of a rock, a thorn or a bone from the road is charity for you. Your pouring what remains from your bucket into the bucket of your brother is charity for you.”
(Tirmidhi, Hadith 62)
If we study what holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) taught his Blessed Companions, (RA) (may Allah Almighty have mercy upon them) we would see that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) taught how to achieve good character through kindness, even through the smallest of acts. Following the Sunnah, Blessed Prophetic Practice, is no doubt a globally unique source of comprehensive guidance for personal development.
It is important to consider the intentions behind any act of Sadaqah Jariya. It should be a sincere action solely associated with gaining the pleasure of Allah Almighty. This means that it should not be tainted with being a display of ostentatious behaviour. For example, the display of plaques and trophies commemorating names of donors and announcing names of donors in your local Masjid or charity event seeks to publicise the good deed and invite glory for the named persons. Some may claim that it is permissible to film the giving of Sadaqah Jariya and even to post this on social media to raise awareness. While this positive outcome may occur, undoubtedly negative outcomes are also likely such as the encouraging of followers and praiseworthy responses, which in turn encourage the ego in pride and often lead to ostentatious behaviour. Satan can easily manipulate the mind and ruin the efforts of giving Sadaqah Jariya with good intention by causing it to receive ego-influencing attention.
Rather, there are many alternatives to raising awareness of Sadaqah Jariya, such as education, which again, is a form of Sadaqah. Allah Almighty is very merciful and has given us countless opportunities to gain reward and ultimately, His pleasure. The words of holy Prophet ﷺ (peace be upon him) explain this beautifully:
“Seven people Allah Almighty will give His Shade on the Day when there would be no shade but the Shade of His Throne (i.e., on the Day of Resurrection). And they are: a just ruler; a youth who grew up with the worship of Allah Almighty; a person whose heart is attached to the Masjids (place sof worship); two men who love and meet each other and depart from each other for the sake of Allah Almighty; a man whom an extremely beautiful woman attempts to seduce (for illicit relation), but he (rejects this offer and) says: ‘I fear Allah Almighty’; a man who gives in charity and conceals it (to such an extent) so that the left hand does not know what the right has given; and a man who remembers Allah Almighty in solitude and his eyes become tearful”.
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 449)
We are rewarded according to our intentions, and it is better to remain anonymous when giving Sadaqah Jariya, even if donating on behalf of someone else or if the Sadaqah that is donated is not utilised in the way you had intended it to be used. Finally, charity must be donated from Halal earnings, as a blessed deed is always better to be carried out from a blessed source. This source or earning can be given from any individual, and not necessarily from the person for whom you are praying for or are donating on behalf of.