What Is Sadaqah? Types, Virtues and Examples of Sadaqah Jariyah

What is Sadaqah? In short, any good deed done for the sake of Allah without expecting anything in return; even a smile counts as Sadaqah.

In this article you will find the types of Sadaqah, its virtues in the Qur'an and authentic hadiths, and examples of Sadaqah Jariyah, whose reward continues even after death.

What does Sadaqah mean?

The word Sadaqah comes from the Arabic root “sidq” (truthfulness, loyalty).

Islamic scholars explain this link by saying that Sadaqah is a sign of the sincerity of a person's faith.

As a term, Sadaqah is material or non-material help given to those in need in order to earn Allah's pleasure.

In the Qur'an the word “Sadaqah” sometimes also includes Zakat (at-Tawbah 9/60); in everyday language, however, it mostly means a voluntary (nafl) donation.

What are the types of Sadaqah?

1. Voluntary Sadaqah

A donation given from the heart, with the amount and timing up to you. A meal for a poor person, school supplies for a pupil, medicine for a patient…

On our website a Sadaqah donation starts from €10; you decide the amount.

2. Obligatory Sadaqah: Fitrah

Sadaqat al-Fitr, i.e. Fitrah, is the obligatory Sadaqah that every Muslim who reaches Eid al-Fitr and owns the Nisab must give.

For its amount and timing, see our guide How much is Fitrah.

3. Fidyah and Kaffarah

Financial payments made to compensate for shortcomings in acts of worship such as fasting. Details for those unable to fast are in our article What is the Fidyah for fasting.

4. Sadaqah Qurbani

An animal sacrificed with the intention of being relieved from hardship, giving thanks for a blessing or warding off calamity. For the types of Qurbani, see our article Nadhr, Aqiqah and Shukr Qurbani.

5. Non-material Sadaqah: every good deed

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Every good deed is Sadaqah” (Bukhari, Adab 33; Muslim, Zakat 52).

Another hadith says: “Your smile to your brother is Sadaqah” (Tirmidhi, Birr 36). Removing an obstacle from the road or saying a kind word also falls into this category.

6. Sadaqah Jariyah

Sadaqah whose reward keeps flowing even after the giver has passed away. We cover it in detail below.

The virtue of Sadaqah: verses and hadiths

Sadaqah in the Qur'an

• al-Baqarah 2/261: What is spent in the way of Allah is likened to a seed that grows seven ears, with a hundred grains in each ear; Allah multiplies it further for whom He wills.
• al-Baqarah 2/274: Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah by night and by day, secretly and openly, have their reward with their Lord; no fear shall be upon them, nor shall they grieve.
• Al Imran 3/92: You will never attain “birr” (the perfection of righteousness) until you spend in the way of Allah from what you love.

Sadaqah in authentic hadiths

• “Sadaqah does not decrease wealth.” (Muslim, Birr 69)
• “Protect yourselves from the Fire, even with half a date.” (Bukhari, Zakat 10; Muslim, Zakat 66)
• “The giving hand is better than the receiving hand.” (Bukhari, Zakat 18; Muslim, Zakat 94)

These hadiths show that in Sadaqah it is the intention, not the amount, that counts: even a small donation is valuable.

The difference between Sadaqah and Zakat

You can find the conditions of Zakat in our article What is Zakat, and who can receive it in our guide Who can receive Zakat.

What is Sadaqah Jariyah?

“Jariyah” here means “flowing, continuing”.

Sadaqah Jariyah refers to lasting good works that people benefit from over a long time, so that their reward continues even after the giver's death.

It is based on this hadith: “When a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for them.” (Muslim, Wasiyyah 14)

Examples of Sadaqah Jariyah

Water well: the most popular Sadaqah Jariyah

When Sa'd ibn Ubadah (ra) asked the Prophet which Sadaqah was most virtuous, he received the answer “Water” and had a well dug on behalf of his mother (Abu Dawud, Zakat 41).

Access to clean water is still vital today; the World Health Organization (WHO) stresses that unsafe water is one of the main causes of preventable diseases such as diarrhoea.

You don't have to fund a well alone – you can also join in with a share. All options: water well projects · Detailed guide: water well donation.

Building a mosque

The Prophet said: “Whoever builds a mosque for the sake of Allah, Allah will build for him the like of it in Paradise” (Bukhari, Salat 65; Muslim, Masajid 24).

Complete mosque projects cost between €20.000 and €30.000 depending on the region; for example, building a mosque in Afghanistan costs €30.000. You can take part with shares starting from €100.

Qur'an donation

Every Qur'an that is read is regarded as beneficial knowledge and a lasting good deed.

A Qur'an donation is €3,50 (Afghanistan €5).

Student scholarships and education

Supporting a child's schooling counts as the “beneficial knowledge” mentioned in the hadith.

A student scholarship in Africa is €25 per month. For other projects, see the education projects page.

A means of livelihood: dairy goat

A dairy goat given to a family (Africa €100) provides milk and income for years, creating lasting benefit.

Caring for an orphan

Supporting an orphan's long-term care and education is also among the lasting good deeds. Orphan sponsorship is €50 per month; details in our article orphan sponsorship.

Example calculation: a lasting work from small monthly Sadaqah

Example scenario: A family living in Salzburg sets aside €25 for Sadaqah every month.

1. Amount saved over 1 years: 12 × €25 = €300.
2. With this amount, 3 mosque shares (3 × €100) could be bought,
3. or 85 copies of the Qur'an (85 × €3,50 = €297,50) could be donated,
4. or, by saving for 20 months (20 × €25 = €500), a hand-pump water well could be built in Asia.

Small but regular Sadaqah turns into a lasting work over time.

The wisdom of Sadaqah: for the giver, the receiver and society

Sadaqah benefits not only the person in need but also the one who gives.

• For the giver: It purifies wealth from stinginess and greed and strengthens gratitude.
• For the receiver: Their basic needs are met and a dignified life is supported.
• For society: It narrows the gap between rich and poor and increases solidarity and trust.

For a Muslim living in Austria, Sadaqah is also a tangible bond with their brothers and sisters far away.

Behaviours that nullify the reward of Sadaqah

The Qur'an clearly warns that Sadaqah can be wasted through certain behaviours.

In verse 264 of Surah al-Baqarah, believers are commanded not to nullify their Sadaqah by giving it with reminders of generosity and hurtful words.

• Reminding others of your generosity: Bringing up the favour you did or expecting something in return.
• Showing off (riya): Giving so that people will see, instead of for the sake of Allah.
• Giving from poor-quality wealth: Giving things that are unusable and that we would not accept ourselves (al-Baqarah 2/267).

That is why Sadaqah should be given quietly, expecting the reward from Allah alone.

How and to whom should Sadaqah be given?

• Close circle first: Relatives and neighbours in need come first; Sadaqah to relatives is both Sadaqah and upholding family ties (silat ar-rahim).
• Discretion: It is recommended to give away from show and, if possible, in secret.
• Halal earnings: Sadaqah should be given from halal wealth.
• Trustworthy intermediary: For Sadaqah sent abroad, choose a trustworthy organisation. See our guide choosing a trustworthy charity.

From Austria you can give your Sadaqah by Card / Online (Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, EPS) or PayPal, and combine several projects in one basket. To see the place of Sadaqah in Ramadan, take a look at our Ramadan donation guide.

Sources: Diyanet — Tafsir of Surah al-Baqarah, verse 261 · TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi — Sadaka · WHO — Drinking-water