What Is Sadaqah Jariyah? 10 Examples of Ongoing Charity
Sadaqah Jariyah is ongoing charity whose reward continues. Learn its meaning, 10 examples, and how to give a water well in a loved one's name.
By Embrace Relief Team
The useful part before the long read.
Sadaqah Jariyah is voluntary, ongoing charity whose benefit, and reward, continues over time.
A well-known hadith in Sahih Muslim names ongoing charity as one of three deeds that continue to benefit a person after death.
Common examples include water wells, education, schools, and planting trees.
With Embrace Relief: a new well costs $3,500, a well repair $1,500, and a school water project $4,500.
Sadaqah Jariyah means "ongoing charity": a gift whose benefit continues long after it is given. In Islamic teaching, its reward continues even after the giver has died, which is why many Muslims give Sadaqah Jariyah for themselves or in memory of a parent or loved one. A water well is one of the most common examples, because a community drinks from it every day for years. With Embrace Relief, you can build and name a water well for $3,500.
What does Sadaqah Jariyah mean?
Sadaqah means voluntary charity, and jariyah means "flowing" or "continuing." Together, Sadaqah Jariyah describes charity whose benefit keeps flowing. The concept comes from a hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim (1631), in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that when a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge that benefits others, and a righteous child who prays for them. Because of this hadith, Muslims often choose projects that serve people for years, such as a water well, a school, or education for a child, so that the good continues long after the gift is made. Sadaqah Jariyah is voluntary; it is separate from Zakat, the obligatory annual charity.
10 examples of Sadaqah Jariyah
- 1Building a water well. A community drinks, cooks, and washes with clean water every day. Build a well for $3,500.
- 2Repairing a broken well. Restoring an abandoned well brings water back to a community quickly. Repair a well for $1,500.
- 3Clean water and bathrooms at a school. Students stay healthier and stay in school. Benin School Water Project, $4,500.
- 4Supporting a child's education. Books, supplies, and tutoring open doors for years. Support education.
- 5Caring for an orphan. Long-term care, schooling, and nutrition shape a child's whole future. Orphan care.
- 6Vocational training for women. Skills that help a woman earn an income benefit her family for years. Women's empowerment.
- 7Planting trees. Shade, food, and cleaner air benefit people and animals long after planting.
- 8Sharing beneficial knowledge. Teaching a skill, a book, or a lesson that others keep using.
- 9Supporting a mosque or community center. A space where people pray, learn, and gather for generations.
- 10Equipping a health clinic. Equipment that is used to treat patients for years.
Why is a water well the best-known Sadaqah Jariyah?
A water well serves a whole community, every day, for many years, and the need is enormous: about 2.1 billion people, or 1 in 4 worldwide, still lack safely managed drinking water (WHO/UNICEF, 2025). A hadith in Sunan Abi Dawud (1681) records that when the companion Sa'd ibn Ubadah asked which charity was best to give on behalf of his late mother, the Prophet answered: water. Sa'd then dug a well and dedicated it to her. Embrace Relief's wells reach underground aquifers, serve communities of 1,000 people or more, and include a five-year warranty with annual maintenance, so the benefit can continue for years.
Can I give Sadaqah Jariyah for a deceased parent?
Yes, according to many scholars. Hadith collections record companions of the Prophet giving charity, including a water well, on behalf of their deceased mothers, and scholars teach that the reward of such charity reaches the deceased. Many families dedicate a well or another lasting project in the name of a parent or grandparent. With Embrace Relief, you can name a well in honor of a loved one and receive completion photos, location details, and project reporting. For questions about your specific situation, consult a qualified scholar.
Sadaqah Jariyah vs. Sadaqah vs. Zakat
| Zakat | Sadaqah | Sadaqah Jariyah | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obligation | Obligatory for eligible Muslims | Voluntary | Voluntary |
| Amount | 2.5% of qualifying wealth held for a lunar year | Any amount | Any amount |
| Timing | Annually, once the nisab threshold is met | Any time | Any time |
| Benefit | Given to specific categories of recipients | Immediate help | Benefit continues over time |
Learn more in Zakat vs. Sadaqah: What Is the Difference? or calculate what you owe with the Zakat calculator.
How to give Sadaqah Jariyah with Embrace Relief
- 1Choose a project: a new well ($3,500), a well repair ($1,500), a school water project ($4,500), or monthly support for clean water ($25 a month).
- 2Decide on a name: dedicate the well to yourself, a parent, or a loved one.
- 3Give in full or together: fund it today or start a project page and invite family and friends to contribute.
- 4Receive completion proof: photos, location details, and reporting, typically about 4 to 6 weeks after a full donation.
Sources
- Sahih Muslim 1631 (sunnah.com) — https://sunnah.com/muslim:1631
- Sunan Abi Dawud 1681 (sunnah.com) — https://sunnah.com/abudawud:1681
- WHO/UNICEF JMP, Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000–2024 (2025) — https://data.unicef.org/resources/jmp-report-2025/
- Embrace Relief, Build a Well — /our-work/clean-water/build-a-well
Frequently asked questions
What is Sadaqah Jariyah in simple words?
Sadaqah Jariyah is ongoing charity: a good deed whose benefit continues after it is given, and, according to Islamic teaching, after the giver's death. Building a water well that a village uses for years is a common example.
Can I give Sadaqah Jariyah on behalf of a deceased parent?
Many scholars teach that charity can be given on behalf of a deceased person and that its reward reaches them. Hadith collections record companions of the Prophet giving charity on behalf of their late mothers. For your specific situation, ask a qualified scholar.
Is a water well Sadaqah Jariyah?
A water well is one of the most widely given forms of Sadaqah Jariyah because people drink from it every day for years. A hadith in Sunan Abi Dawud records the Prophet describing water as the best charity.
Is Sadaqah Jariyah the same as Zakat?
No. Zakat is an obligatory annual payment on qualifying wealth, given to specific categories of recipients. Sadaqah, including Sadaqah Jariyah, is voluntary and can be given at any time, in any amount.
How much does a Sadaqah Jariyah water well cost?
With Embrace Relief, a new community well costs $3,500, repairing a well costs $1,500, and a school water project with bathrooms costs $4,500. You can name the well in honor of a loved one.