Ramadan 1445 AH — Day 28: A Continuous Charity
When the human being dies, his deeds end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him. — Saheeh Muslim
In the lives of many, the ending of their life also marks the end of their good deeds. Whereas for others, dying does not limit them from earning rewards anyway. Their books of records continue to increase in goodness as people benefit from the good deeds they have done while alive.
Death is a redundancy that halts your ability to push forth good deeds after you’re gone. However, Allah gives you a chance to establish sadaqa jaariyyah — a continuous charity that will continue to increase your scale of good deeds, even after you have passed on. Now, the question is: do you feel the urgency to create a stream of good deeds that will continue to flow even after your demise?
Allah’s Apostle ﷺ was reported to have said on the authority of Anas Ibn Malik:
“Seven deeds of a servant continue to be rewarded after his death while he is in his grave: knowledge to be learned, constructing a canal, digging a well, planting a date-palm tree, building a mosque, handing down a written copy of the Quran, and leaving a righteous child who seeks forgiveness for him after his death.” — Musnad al-Bazzār
Here are examples from the life of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, his companions, and the righteous predecessors:
1. Establishing wells and water sources: Allah’s Apostle ﷺ himself participated in digging wells, such as the famous ‘Ruma’ well in Medina. These wells provided access to clean water for drinking, irrigation, and other needs, benefiting people for several years. The story of Uthman Ibn Affan is also an interesting one to date, proceeds from the well he bought in Madinah 1400 years ago have been established as a waqf endowment in his name.
2. Educational Endowments: Establishing educational institutions and libraries as endowments is another form of Sadaqa Jaariyah. The Abbasid Caliph Harun Rashid gave his wealth to establish a large library as Waqf in 830 CE, which became known as Baytul Hikmah — House of Wisdom.
3. Planting Trees and Orchards: Planting trees that yield fruits or provide shade is considered a continuous charity. These trees do not only provide sustenance but also, shade and shelter for travelers and animals, serving as a source of ongoing benefit.
4. Supporting Orphanages and Welfare Institutions: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized the importance of caring for orphans and the needy. He supported orphaned children, destitute and widows. This act is also considered a continuous charity.
5. Publishing Islamic Literature: Preserving and disseminating Islamic knowledge through scholarly books is also considered a continuous charity. Imagine the works of Imam An-Nawawi who compiled the books Riyadus Saliheen and Al-Arbaun. That knowledge was blessed, preserved, beneficial, and accessible to future generations.
Other project ideas you could also engage in are;
- Funding of a student of knowledge until he completes his studies.
- Starting or supporting awqaf — public endowment for the benefit of Islamic projects.
- Raising righteous offspring who will be great leaders for the ummah.
Sadaqa Jaariyah serves as a means of ongoing reward and blessings for those who engage in it, reflecting the enduring legacy of generosity and compassion in Islam. By following these action points and committing to the principles of generosity, compassion, and service in Islam, you can establish a meaningful and impactful continuous charity project that benefits people for generations to come.
Action Points
- Choose a cause or project that aligns with Islamic principles and has the potential for long-term impact.
- Encourage others to establish their continuous charity projects by raising awareness about the importance and benefits of Sadaqa Jaariyah.
- if you wish, you may partner with local communities, charitable organizations, and other stakeholders to leverage resources, expertise, and support for your project even after you are gone.
That’s it for today, take action on this Daily Revival and if you missed yesterday’s episode, you can find it here. I ask Allah to make it easy for you and me. Amin!
Yaumul Ahad 28th Ramadan 1445 AH // Sunday 7th April 2024.
- If you’d like to support a charitable cause this Ramadan, donate to Rafeeqee Foundation
- You may join my WhatsApp Broadcast channel called “Islamic Reminders” where you can find some more beneficial stuff.
- Finally, I made a practical video on how to crush your Ramadan goals using two non-conventional methodologies. You’ll find it on Pure Masculinity Podcast, don’t forget to subscribe.
