Good Deeds that Outlast Death | 5 Types of Sadaqah Jariyah

Five Amazing Types of Sadaqah Jariyah That Keep Giving Rewards After You Die

August 10, 2024

“When a person dies, all their good deeds stop except for three things: sadaqah jariyah (charity that keeps giving), helpful knowledge, and a good child who makes dua for them.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i)
One day, we will all return to Allah. But some of our good deeds can keep earning us hasanat (rewards) even after we pass away.
While we’re still alive, let’s do acts that will help us in this dunya (world) and the akhirah (afterlife). Here are five types of sadaqah jariyah that can bring you endless ajr (rewards) from Allah.

1. Give Someone a Mushaf or Donate One to a Masjid

The Prophet ﷺ said something amazing: “Whoever reads one letter from Allah’s Book gets one hasanah, and each hasanah is worth ten times more. I don’t say Alif-Lam-Mim is one letter. Alif is one letter, Lam is one letter, and Mim is one letter.” (Tirmidhi)
Think about this! If you get ten rewards for reading one letter yourself, imagine how many rewards you get when someone else reads from the Qur’an you gave them. Every time they read it, you get rewards too!
This is the beauty of sadaqah jariyah. The rewards keep coming as long as people use what you gave. You’ll get ajr for as long as people read that Qur’an.
The rewards become even bigger when you donate a Mushaf to Masjidil Haram in Makkah. Millions of hajj and umrah pilgrims will read it, giving you massive thawab (spiritual rewards).
You can also donate other helpful things like:

Tasbeeh (prayer beads)
Islamic books
Prayer mats
Clothes for poor Muslims
Medical equipment for hospitals

2. Take Care of a Yateem (Orphan)

Allah mentions orphans 22 times in the Qur’an. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ loved orphans very much because he was also an orphan.
If you get a chance to help an orphan, take it right away! Those who care for orphans have a special place in Jannah.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “I and the person who takes care of an orphan will be in Jannah like this” – and he put his two fingers together. (Sahih al-Bukhari)
When you help an orphan, you’re not just helping them. You’re also earning huge rewards that will help you on Yawm al-Qiyamah (Day of Judgment). Every meal you give them, every piece of clothing, every chance for education – all of this becomes sadaqah jariyah for you.

3. Help Build a Masjid, Madrasah, or Hospital

Building a masjid is one of the best types of sadaqah jariyah you can do.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever builds a masjid for Allah, Allah will build a house for them in Jannah.” (Tirmidhi)
But here’s the amazing part. Your rewards don’t stop when the building is finished. You get ajr every time:

Someone prays in that masjid
A child learns Qur’an in that madrasah
A sick person gets better in that hospital

Even if you can only give a small amount, you still get rewards. It’s like planting a tree of hasanat that keeps growing forever.
You can also help build:

Islamic schools where children learn about Islam
Hospitals that treat sick Muslims
Wells that give clean water
Any place that helps the ummah (Muslim community)

4. Plant a Tree

Did you know that trees make sujood (prostration) to Allah? The Qur’an says: “And the stars and trees prostrate.” (Ar-Rahman: 6)
When you plant a tree, it becomes sadaqah jariyah because:

It gives shade to people
It gives fruits that feed people and animals
It makes oxygen that we need to breathe
All of this continues for many years

The Prophet ﷺ said: “If a Muslim plants something and a person or animal eats from it, they get the same reward as if they gave sadaqah.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
The Prophet ﷺ also said: “If the world is about to end and you have a small plant in your hand, and you can plant it before the end comes, then plant it.” (Al-Albani)
This shows us that doing good deeds is always worth it, no matter what’s happening around us.

I’m on the advisory board of this great organization, Basmah. And I’m saying to you, from a man on the inside, they do a lot of incredible work. I’m amazed every day by more and more work; they don’t stop, they never stop.

Imam Siraj Wahhaj

Honorary advisor of BASMAH

5. Give Water to People

Water is something every living thing needs. But many people around the world don’t have clean water to drink.
Giving water is a very special type of sadaqah in Islam. In fact, the Prophet ﷺ said it’s the best kind of sadaqah.
When Umm Sa’d (Sa’d ibn Ubadah’s mother) died, Sa’d asked the Prophet ﷺ: “What’s the best type of sadaqah?” The Prophet ﷺ answered: “Water is the best.” So Sa’d dug a well and said: “This is for my mother Umm Sa’d.” (Al-Albani)
When you help provide clean water:

People can drink and stay healthy
Families don’t have to walk far to get water
Children can go to school instead of looking for water
Farmers can grow food
The whole community gets stronger

Every time someone drinks from the well you helped build, you get thawab. This continues even after you die, making it perfect sadaqah jariyah.

Start Your Sadaqah Jariyah Today

These five types of sadaqah jariyah are gifts from Allah that help us prepare for the akhirah. You don’t need to be rich to start. Even small amounts can make a big difference.
Here’s how you can begin:

Buy one Mushaf and give it to your local masjid
Send some money to help an orphan each month
Add a small amount to help build a masjid or school
Plant a fruit tree in your yard or community
Help pay for a water well in a poor area

Remember, we all have a meeting with Allah one day. But the good news is that some of our good deeds can keep earning us ajr even after we’re gone. These deeds will be like friends waiting for us in Jannah.
The grave is real, but so are the endless rewards from sadaqah jariyah. Start today, and let your good deeds keep growing and helping others long after you return to Allah.
May Allah accept our sadaqah and make it a means for us to enter Jannah al-Firdaus. Ameen.