Sadaqah Jariyah for the Deceased: Giving Charity in Memory of a Loved One

When someone we love dies, the question of how to continue giving on their behalf is one of the most common in Islamic giving. Can Sadaqah Jariyah be given for someone who has already passed? And if it can, does the reward actually reach them? Here is what the scholars say — and how to give in a way that counts.

Can You Give Sadaqah Jariyah on Behalf of Someone Who Has Died?

Yes. The majority of scholars across the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafiʻi, and Hanbali schools hold that it is permissible to give charity on behalf of a deceased person, with the intention that the reward is transferred to them. The Prophet ﷺ established the precedent directly. A companion asked: “My mother died suddenly without having made any will. I think she would have definitely given Sadaqa if she had been able to speak. Would she have a reward if I gave Sadaqa on her behalf?” He (the Holy Prophet) said: Yes. (Sahih Muslim 1004a; Sahih al-Bukhari 1388)

This hadith has formed the basis for one of the most enduring practices in the Islamic tradition: giving in the name of the deceased to benefit them in the afterlife.

Does the Reward Actually Reach the Deceased?

Yes, according to the scholarly consensus. The Hanafi, Maliki, and Hanbali schools explicitly affirm that the reward of charitable deeds given on behalf of the deceased reaches the recipient. The Shafiʻi school agrees on the permissibility of charity specifically — both Ibn Hajar al-ʿAsqalani and Imam al-Nawawi acknowledged that the evidence for charitable reward reaching the deceased is strong. The mechanism: Allah, who has full power to assign reward to whomever He wills, accepts the donation and allocates the reward.

What Type of Sadaqah Jariyah Should You Give?

Any Sadaqah Jariyah given on behalf of someone generates ongoing reward that continues flowing to them for as long as the benefit continues. Scholars recommend acts whose benefit is long-lasting, since the reward accrues for the full duration.

• Water wells and clean water access — a well that serves a community for years generates years of reward
• Educational support — a school or scholarship that teaches future generations
• Orphan sponsorship — ongoing monthly support that continues over time
• Mosque or hospital contributions — buildings that serve the community for decades

Does It Have to Be Sadaqah Jariyah Specifically?

No. Ordinary Sadaqah — a one-time gift of food, money, or any charitable act — given on behalf of the deceased is also valid and the reward reaches them. The distinction is that Sadaqah Jariyah generates ongoing reward. Most scholars recommend it for this reason: it is a gift that keeps giving long after the donation is made, continuing to benefit the deceased in a way a one-time act cannot.

How to Give in Memory of a Loved One

There is no ritual required. The intention is what matters. When you give, hold the intention in your heart: “I am giving this Sadaqah Jariyah, and I dedicate its reward to [name].” You do not need to say this aloud or follow a specific formula. Many donors choose to fund a water well or sponsor an orphan in a parent’s name. Human Appeal’s Sadaqah Jariyah programs can be given in anyone’s name or in memory of a loved one.

Is There a Time Limit?

No. There is no scholarly view that charity for the deceased is only valid within a certain period after death. You can give Sadaqah Jariyah in the name of a parent, grandparent, or anyone else who has passed at any point — and the reward reaches them. Many people give on anniversaries, on Fridays, or during Ramadan when rewards are multiplied. There is no restriction on timing.

Sources

Sahih Bukhari, 1388; Sahih Muslim, 1004 — narrated by Aisha: the Prophet ﷺ confirming charity on behalf of the deceased reaches them. Ibn Hajar al-ʿAsqalani, Fath al-Bari — commentary on the permissibility of charitable reward reaching the deceased. Imam al-Nawawi, al-Majmuʿ — Shafiʻi position on reward transfer. Ibn Qudama, al-Mughni — Hanbali affirmation of reward reaching the deceased.

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