CHARITY – SADAQA JARIYAH
Islam places great importance on charity. So much so, Zakat charity is one of the five pillars of Islam. Because of this importance, we pledge to donate a percentage of all of our monthly sales to charity projects around the world. This means, that when you purchase our swimwear, you participate in giving Sadaqa Jariyah!
What is Sadaqa Jariyah?
Sadaqa means charity and Jariyah means continuous. Sadaqa Jariyah means a continuous, flowing an ongoing charity. It is one of the most rewarding acts we can do in our lives as the benefits of giving this type of charity can be reaped in this lifetime and long after we have passed. On the authority of Abu Hurairah (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
‘‘When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: Sadaqa Jariyah (a continuous charity), or knowledge from which benefit is gained, or a righteous child who prays for him’’. (Hadith, Muslim).
Therefore, Muslims are eager to give charity which will continue to have benefit to people after their death and continue to earn them reward. Any charity which continues to have positive effects on a community in the long-term can be considered a Sadaqa Jariyah. Some examples include:
- Building homes, schools and hospitals
- Installing durable water systems
- Cultivating crops which provides food for years to come
- Helping a family start a business which continues generating profit for future generations
What are the benefits of giving Sadaqa?
Sadaqa benefits the believer not just in this life but the next. Sadaqa averts calamity and increases sustenance and blessings in one’s life. Allah says in the Qur’an, ‘’Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned.’’ (Qur’an, 2:245).
The Prophet (saw) said “Sadaqa extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire,” (Hadith, Tirmidhi). He also said (saw) that Allah offers relief on the Day of Judgement for those who give Sadaqa: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be their charity.” (Hadith, Tirmidhi).
