When a person dies, their deeds end — except for three: knowledge that benefits others, righteous children who pray for them, and sadaqah jariyah. That hadith (Sahih Muslim) is one of the most cited in Islamic charitable giving because it maps out exactly what can outlast your time on earth. Sadaqah jariyah — ongoing or perpetual charity — is the one most accessible to the average Muslim.
You don't need to be wealthy to set it up. But you do need to be intentional. Here's how to do it in a way that actually lasts.
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What qualifies as sadaqah jariyah?
Scholars broadly define sadaqah jariyah as any charitable act whose benefit continues after the giver's death. Classic examples include building a well, planting a tree, constructing a mosque, endowing a school, or financing a copy of the Quran that continues to be read. The common thread is ongoing benefit — not a one-time good deed, but something that keeps producing reward.
In the modern context, this extends to: scholarship endowments that fund education year after year, waqf (Islamic endowment) assets that generate income for charitable purposes, designated funds at Islamic charities that support ongoing programs, and charitable bequests in your will (wasiyyah) that fund a cause after your death.
Option 1: Give through a charity's ongoing program
The simplest way to set up sadaqah jariyah is to give to a well-established charity's recurring program — a well construction fund, a food distribution endowment, or an orphan sponsorship that pays out monthly. Organizations like Islamic Relief USA, Zakat Foundation of America, and Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) run exactly these kinds of programs.
Many of these organizations have dedicated sadaqah jariyah funds — you give a set amount, they deploy it toward a project that keeps producing benefit. A $500 contribution toward a water well in sub-Saharan Africa, for example, may serve a community for 10 to 20 years. Before giving, ask the charity how they track and report the impact of these projects. Transparency matters. Browse vetted options in the HalalWallet charity directory.
Option 2: Establish a waqf
A waqf is an Islamic endowment — you permanently dedicate an asset (property, cash, investment shares) to a charitable purpose, and the asset is never sold. Only the income or benefit it generates goes to the cause. This is the most formal and most permanent form of sadaqah jariyah.
In the U.S., waqf can be established through a few different structures. The most common is a charitable trust or a donor-advised fund (DAF) set up at a community foundation, with the investment returns directed toward your chosen cause. Some Islamic institutions — certain mosques and Islamic centers — also accept waqf contributions directly and manage them as endowments. See HalalWallet's guide to what waqf is and how it works for a deeper breakdown of the different structures.
The main requirement for a valid waqf is that the donated asset can't be taken back. Once you've dedicated it, it stays dedicated. This is why waqf is considered a high-level form of giving — it requires permanently parting with an asset, not just its income.
Option 3: Set up a scholarship fund
Funding education that continues to benefit students year after year is a well-recognized form of sadaqah jariyah. You can do this by giving to an existing scholarship fund at an Islamic school, university, or community organization. Or, for larger amounts, establishing a named scholarship fund directly at an institution — many accept endowed scholarships with a minimum gift, often $10,000 to $25,000 for a named fund.
Islamic schools and Islamic Studies programs at universities in the U.S. often have development offices that can structure these contributions properly. If your local masjid has an affiliated school, it's worth asking.
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Option 4: Include sadaqah jariyah in your will
A wasiyyah — a bequest in your Islamic will — can direct up to one-third of your estate toward sadaqah jariyah after your death. This could be a donation to an Islamic charity, the establishment of a waqf from your estate, or a contribution to an existing scholarship or program.
This is one of the most powerful options because it scales with your overall wealth — whatever you accumulate over your lifetime, a portion of it can continue generating reward after you're gone. To set this up correctly alongside the rest of your Islamic estate plan, a service like ShariaWiz handles both the wasiyyah and the Islamic inheritance distribution for your heirs in a single, legally valid document. See the ShariaWiz review for how they work.
How to make it actually last
The word 'jariyah' means flowing or continuous — but sadaqah jariyah only flows if the structure holds. A few things that determine whether it lasts: choosing an organization with a documented track record of managing endowments and restricted funds, getting the legal structure right (especially for waqf and bequests), being specific about your intent in writing, and telling someone — a family member, an executor — what you've set up and why.
Money given to a general fund at a charity without any restriction can be spent immediately. Money given as a designated sadaqah jariyah contribution to an endowment or restricted program carries ongoing obligation on the charity to manage it as such. Know which you're doing and ask the charity how they handle it.
Can I give sadaqah jariyah while alive?
Yes, and doing it while you're alive is generally encouraged over waiting. Giving during your lifetime means you can verify the charity is operating as intended, choose the program carefully, and potentially give more than the one-third wasiyyah limit allows at death. The HalalWallet zakat and charity hub covers charitable giving broadly if you want to understand how sadaqah jariyah fits alongside zakat and other forms of giving.
Bottom line
Sadaqah jariyah is accessible at almost any level of giving — from a recurring monthly donation to a charity's water well program, to a formal waqf established through your estate. The key is being intentional: choose a vehicle that actually persists, structure it correctly, and document what you've done so it doesn't get lost.
Frequently asked questions
Does sadaqah jariyah have to be a large amount? No. Scholars don't impose a minimum. Even a small recurring contribution to a program that provides ongoing benefit qualifies. The intent and the ongoing nature of the benefit matter more than the size.
Is building a mosque sadaqah jariyah? Yes — this is one of the most cited examples in classical Islamic scholarship. Contributing to the construction or maintenance of a mosque, an Islamic school, or a community center that Muslims benefit from regularly is a recognized form of sadaqah jariyah.
Can a non-Muslim be the beneficiary of my sadaqah jariyah? Yes. Giving a well to a community of non-Muslims, funding a food bank that serves everyone, or contributing to a hospital without restrictions on who it serves are all generally permissible. The benefit is the measure, not the religion of the recipient.
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What's the difference between sadaqah jariyah and waqf? Waqf is the formal Islamic legal structure for a permanent endowment. Sadaqah jariyah is the broader religious concept of ongoing charitable benefit. A waqf is always sadaqah jariyah, but sadaqah jariyah doesn't have to be a formal waqf. A recurring charity donation can also be sadaqah jariyah without any formal legal structure.
Can children set up sadaqah jariyah in their parents' names after death? Yes, and scholars explicitly encourage this. Giving charity on behalf of a deceased parent, or making dua for them, are recommended acts. If you want to give on behalf of a deceased parent, you can donate to any cause in their name with the intention of the reward going to them.
