Can You Give Sadaqah Jariyah on Behalf of Someone Else?

Yes, Sadaqah Jariyah can be given on behalf of another person, particularly someone who has passed away. Islamic teachings provide clear evidence that charity given on behalf of a deceased person can benefit them.

This is especially meaningful for Muslims who want to continue doing good for deceased parents, grandparents, spouses, relatives, friends, or other loved ones.

Sadaqah Jariyah means ongoing or continuing charity—a charitable act whose benefit continues over time. Examples can include supporting a water well, mosque, educational facility, beneficial books, or another lasting charitable resource.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ specifically mentioned ongoing charity among the deeds whose benefit continues after a person's death.

What Is Sadaqah Jariyah?

Sadaqah Jariyah is commonly understood as ongoing charity.

The word Sadaqah refers broadly to voluntary charity, while Jariyah conveys the idea of something continuing or flowing.

The important feature is that the charitable benefit continues.

For example, giving a person one meal is an act of Sadaqah. However, helping establish a water source that continues providing water to people can be an example of Sadaqah Jariyah.

Scholarly explanations commonly connect Sadaqah Jariyah with enduring charitable benefit and the concept of waqf, an Islamic charitable endowment.

 Can You Give Sadaqah Jariyah on Behalf of Someone Else?

Yes.

There is direct evidence in authentic Hadith that a person may give charity on behalf of someone who has died.

In Sahih Muslim 1004a, a man told the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that his mother had died suddenly without leaving a will. He asked whether she would receive a reward if he gave charity on her behalf.

The Prophet ﷺ answered yes.

This hadith provides a clear basis for giving charity on behalf of a deceased person.

Another narration in Sahih Muslim gives the same basic ruling: a man asked whether he would receive reward for giving charity on behalf of his deceased mother, and the Prophet ﷺ affirmed it.

Therefore, if someone wants to establish an ongoing charitable project in memory of a deceased loved one, there is a strong basis for doing so.

 

Can You Give Sadaqah Jariyah on Behalf of Someone Else

Can You Give Sadaqah Jariyah for Deceased Parents?

Yes.

Giving charity on behalf of deceased parents is one of the most common reasons people choose Sadaqah Jariyah.

A son or daughter might establish or contribute toward:

• A water well
• A mosque
• Qur'an distribution
• An Islamic school
• A library
• Educational resources
• A sustainable community project
• A charitable endowment

The authentic hadith concerning the deceased mother specifically demonstrates that charity given on her behalf can benefit her.

The Prophet ﷺ also taught that when a person dies, their deeds generally come to an end except for three matters, including ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for them.

Can You Give Sadaqah Jariyah for Someone Who Is Not a Relative?

According to scholarly discussions, charity on behalf of a deceased person is not restricted to immediate family members.

It can also be given on behalf of another deceased Muslim, such as:

• A friend
• A teacher
• A neighbor
• A grandparent
• A relative
• A community member
• Another loved one

Islamic scholarly sources explain that charity on behalf of the deceased can be given by a relative or by someone who is not related to the deceased.

This means you do not necessarily have to be the deceased person's child or family member.

What Are the Best Sadaqah Jariyah Ideas for Someone Else?

If you want to give Sadaqah Jariyah on behalf of someone else, choose a project that provides a genuine and continuing benefit.

1. Provide Clean Water

A water well, pump, filtration system, or sustainable water project can help people for a long time.

Before donating, make sure the organization is trustworthy and that the project has a realistic maintenance plan.

2. Support a Mosque

Contributing toward a mosque can provide a lasting place for prayer, Qur'an learning, Islamic education, and community activities.

If people continue benefiting from the facility, it represents the type of continuing benefit associated with Sadaqah Jariyah.

3. Donate Qur'ans and Beneficial Books

You can donate Qur'ans or reliable Islamic and educational books to a mosque, school, library, or community.

If people continue reading and learning from these resources, the benefit can continue.

4. Support Education

Helping establish or maintain a school, Islamic education program, library, or other lasting educational resource can create long-term benefits.

Beneficial knowledge is specifically mentioned in the hadith about continuing benefit after death.

5. Establish a Waqf

A waqf is an Islamic charitable endowment designed to preserve an asset or its benefit for charitable purposes.

Because of its enduring nature, waqf is commonly connected with the concept of Sadaqah Jariyah.

If you want to establish a formal waqf, consult a qualified Islamic scholar and, where necessary, a legal professional because the rules can vary by jurisdiction.

Can Sadaqah Jariyah Be Given for a Living Person?

This question requires a little more nuance.

Some Islamic scholars permit dedicating the reward of voluntary good deeds, including charity, to another person, whether living or deceased. For example, a Hanafi scholarly answer states that a person may designate the reward of voluntary good deeds to another person.

However, because there are differences among scholars concerning some forms of transferring the reward of voluntary acts, it is better to distinguish this from the clear hadith evidence concerning charity for the deceased.

If your question concerns a specific living person, especially a particular religious practice beyond ordinary charity, asking a trusted qualified scholar according to your madhhab is advisable.

Does the Person Giving the Sadaqah Also Get Reward?

The person who gives charity is also performing a charitable act.

Some scholars explain that the giver can receive reward while intending that the reward or benefit also reach the deceased. A Hanafi scholarly source explicitly states that one may donate the reward of voluntary good deeds to another person.

The exact nature and distribution of reward is ultimately with Allah.

Therefore, it is better not to make claims about a guaranteed or precisely calculated amount of reward.

Instead, give sincerely and ask Allah to accept the charity and benefit the person for whom it was intended.

Is Sadaqah Jariyah Different From Ordinary Sadaqah?

Yes.

Sadaqah is a broad concept of voluntary charity.

For example:

• Giving food
• Helping a poor person
• Giving clothing
• Paying someone's medical expense
• Providing financial assistance

These are all charitable acts.

Sadaqah Jariyah, however, is specifically associated with continuing benefit.

For example:

• A functioning water well
• A mosque
• A lasting educational resource
• A waqf
• Beneficial knowledge

A scholarly explanation notes that one-time gifts such as food or cash are charity but are not necessarily Sadaqah Jariyah because their benefit does not continue in the same way.

How to Give Sadaqah Jariyah on Behalf of Someone

The process does not need to be complicated.

Step 1: Choose the person

Decide whose behalf you want to give the charity—for example, your deceased mother or father.

Step 2: Choose a genuine project

Find a project that provides continuing benefit.

Step 3: Research the organization

Check whether the charity is trustworthy, transparent, and actually carrying out the advertised project.

Step 4: Make your intention

When donating, intend that the charity is being given on behalf of the person.

You can also make Du'a asking Allah to accept the charity and grant its benefit to the deceased.

Step 5: Keep giving when possible

Sadaqah Jariyah does not necessarily require a huge one-time donation.

You can contribute according to your means toward an appropriate ongoing project.

Can You Give Sadaqah Jariyah for Multiple People?

A person may want to remember several deceased loved ones through one charitable project.

For example, a family could contribute toward a water project or educational resource while intending the charity for multiple deceased family members.

The details of dedicating reward to multiple people can involve scholarly considerations, so if you want a specific religious ruling for your circumstances, consult a qualified scholar.

The important point is that charity on behalf of a deceased person itself has clear support in authentic Hadith.

Is Du'a Better Than Sadaqah Jariyah for the Deceased?

Du'a and charity are not necessarily an either/or choice.

The Prophet ﷺ specifically mentioned a righteous child who prays for the deceased among the three matters whose benefit continues after death.

At the same time, authentic Hadith clearly establish that charity can be given on behalf of a deceased person.

Therefore, a Muslim can make sincere Du'a for a deceased loved one while also giving charity on their behalf.

Some scholars have emphasized the importance of Du'a for deceased loved ones and encouraged the living to continue doing righteous deeds themselves while remembering the deceased in prayer.

 

Can You Give Sadaqah Jariyah on Behalf of Someone Else

Important Things to Remember

When giving Sadaqah Jariyah on behalf of someone else, keep these principles in mind:

Give sincerely

Charity should be given seeking Allah's pleasure rather than recognition.

Choose a legitimate project

Do not donate simply because a project is advertised as “Sadaqah Jariyah.” Research it first.

Focus on lasting benefit

A project should have a realistic possibility of continuing to benefit people.

Do not exaggerate promised rewards

Allah determines the reward of deeds. Avoid organizations or articles that promise a specific guaranteed number of rewards without reliable evidence.

Remember the deceased in Du'a

Charity can be accompanied by sincere prayer for the deceased.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I give Sadaqah Jariyah on behalf of my deceased mother?

Yes. Sahih Muslim records a direct example in which the Prophet ﷺ approved giving charity on behalf of a deceased mother.

Can I give Sadaqah Jariyah on behalf of my deceased father?

Yes. Authentic Islamic sources support giving charity on behalf of a deceased person.

Can I give Sadaqah Jariyah for a deceased friend?

Scholarly sources state that the person giving charity does not have to be a relative of the deceased.

Can I give a water well as Sadaqah Jariyah for someone?

Yes, a continuing water project is a common example of an ongoing charitable resource. The key consideration is that it genuinely continues providing benefit.

Does Sadaqah Jariyah benefit the deceased?

The hadith about ongoing charity establishes that its benefit can continue after death, while the hadith about charity on behalf of a deceased mother directly establishes the permissibility and benefit of charity given on her behalf.

Do I have to be related to the deceased?

No. Scholarly sources state that charity on behalf of a deceased person may be given by relatives or others.

Final Thoughts

Yes, you can give Sadaqah Jariyah on behalf of someone else, particularly a deceased parent, relative, friend, or loved one. Authentic Hadith provide clear evidence that charity given on behalf of a deceased person can benefit them.

If you want the charity to be Sadaqah Jariyah, choose something with a genuine continuing benefit—such as a water project, mosque, educational facility, beneficial books, or another enduring charitable resource.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also taught that ongoing charity is among the matters whose benefit continues after a person's death.

Most importantly, give sincerely, choose trustworthy charitable projects, and remember your loved ones in your Du'a. The purpose of Sadaqah Jariyah is not simply to make a donation; it is to create a source of beneficial impact that can continue helping people.