Ongoing charity: Innovative ways to reap continuous rewards and blessings after death

2026/01/15 144

The ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah) is a reward and blessing that continues with every person who benefits from it. It revives a good memory for its donor with every charitable act that people benefit from. Is there anything more beautiful than being a pioneer of goodness through a continuous charity, like a spring whose water never runs dry, earning eternal reward and endless good deeds?

Therefore, due to the beauty of this charity and its great reward, we present our article today to explore the forms of ongoing charity, its virtues, and how to donate through Al-Wafaa Association to contribute to continuous charity projects.

Table of Contents

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Why is it called ongoing charity

Ongoing charity is named as such for several reasons:

Its reward is continuous and its benefit remains even after the donor passes away. Abu Huraira narrated that the Prophet said: "When a human being dies, their deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them."
Its reward never stops but continues to flow.
It brings many good deeds to the Muslim donor and their memory lives on through good deeds.

Forms of ongoing charity

Ongoing charity takes several forms, all of which carry great reward:

Providing water

Providing water is one of the greatest forms of ongoing charity whose reward continues. It includes:

Digging wells.
Providing water to the needy and migrants suffering from scarcity.
Installing water fountains.
Delivering water to poor households.
Placing water coolers in hospitals, mosques, or public places.

The benefit of providing water remains as long as people drink from it, even after the donor’s death. The Prophet said: “The best charity is providing water.” Water is essential for all living beings.

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Digging a well

Digging a well is a righteous act that falls under ongoing charity. The Prophet said: "Whoever digs a well, none drinks from it—human, animal, or bird—without Allah granting him reward on the Day of Resurrection." Its benefits include:

Continuous reward and blessing.
Reducing the hardship and suffering of many.
Reviving the land and supporting agriculture.
Reducing poverty.
Preventing and reducing diseases.

Sponsoring a student

Sponsoring a student is one of the most beautiful ongoing charities as it spreads knowledge in society. It involves financially supporting a student to complete beneficial education through assistance with books and other educational needs. Support can take several forms:

Directly supporting the student and carefully fulfilling their needs.
Working with charitable associations such as Al-Wafaa Humanitarian Association.

Virtues of sponsoring knowledge as ongoing charity

Spreading knowledge that benefits the nation for many generations.
Continuous reward even after the donor’s death.
Providing students a smooth path to education without obstacles.

Sponsoring an orphan

Sponsoring an orphan is one of the most important and best ongoing charities as it cares for children who have lost their parents. The sponsor provides food, clothing, education, and ensures a dignified life. The Prophet ﷺ said: "I and the one who sponsors an orphan will be like this in Paradise," and he joined his index and middle fingers.

Types of orphan sponsorship

Full sponsorship: covers all material and moral needs of the child.
Partial sponsorship: covers education, health, and financial needs.
Moral support: provides psychological and emotional support.

Orphan sponsorship can be annual, monthly, or cover specific needs like clothing or medical care.

Continuous charity for the deceased

Continuous charity for the deceased is an ongoing reward for the deceased, as people benefit from it even after their death. The Prophet said: "Seven deeds continue to benefit a servant after death: knowledge that is used, flowing water, digging a well, planting a tree, building a mosque, leaving a Qur’an inheritance, or a righteous child who prays for them." The benefits include:

Maintaining reward and blessings.
Elevating the deceased’s rank with Allah while the charity continues after death.

You can donate as continuous charity for the deceased through trusted associations such as Al-Wafaa Humanitarian Association or individually with the intention for the deceased.

Establishing an endowment (mosque / clinic / hospital)

Establishing an endowment is a continuous charity with great reward. It involves dedicating land or funds to build projects that benefit people, like mosques, hospitals, or clinics. It requires sincere intention for Allah and choosing projects that meet essential human needs like education, health, water, or religious facilities.

How to establish an endowment as continuous charity

Seek help from humanitarian associations like Al-Wafaa Humanitarian Association.
Use licensed organizations capable of executing the projects.
Implement personally.

Planting trees

Planting trees is a major ongoing charity, providing lasting benefits to humans and animals even after the donor’s death. The Prophet said: "No Muslim plants a tree or sows crops, from which humans, birds, or animals eat, except it will be counted as charity for him."

Ways to earn reward from this ongoing charity include:

Participating in tree-planting projects.
Contributing to olive tree planting through specialized platforms.
Planting fruit trees in schools, gardens, or mosques.

Ongoing Charity

Virtues of ongoing charity

Ongoing charity carries great virtues, including:

Permanent reward after the donor’s death.
Erasing sins and replacing them with good deeds.
Increasing blessings and growth in wealth and sustenance.
Purifying and nurturing the soul, encouraging generosity.
Protecting from evil, calamities, and misfortunes.
Bringing joy and happiness to the hearts of the needy.
Getting closer to Allah and Paradise.

Al-Wafaa Association projects for ongoing charity donations

Several projects in the trusted Al-Wafaa Association are available for ongoing charity donations, such as:

Feeding the poor and needy.
Digging wells, water tanks, and filters.
Sponsoring students.
Building schools, mosques, or hospitals.
Providing health and medical services.
Sponsoring days or needy families.
Spreading beneficial knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a blanket considered ongoing charity?

Yes, a blanket is ongoing charity because its benefit continues for a long time and it is given to someone in urgent need.

What are the doors of ongoing charity?

Ongoing charity includes providing water, building mosques, digging wells, spreading knowledge, planting trees, and financial endowments.

When does the reward of ongoing charity stop?

The reward stops when its benefit completely ceases and the people no longer benefit from it.

What are the actions of ongoing charity?

Actions include educational projects, water-related works, health projects, agricultural works, construction works, and endowments.

What did the Prophet say about ongoing charity?

The Prophet ﷺ said: "When a human dies, their deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them." This shows the reward continues even after the donor’s death.