Kordoba Cordoba - Ordinary alms is the door to sustenance, but there is something more powerful: Alms Jariyah which has eternal rewards flowing in benefits.

For Muslims, giving alms is a practice that never loses. Every treasure spent in the way of Allah will be returned many times over, as promised by Allah SWT in the Qur'an:

God bless you اللّٰهِ كَمَثَلَ كُلِّ سُنْۢبُلَةٍ مِّائَةُ حَبَّةٍ ۗ وَاللّٰهُ يُضٰعِفُ لِمَنْ يَّشَاۤءُ ۗ

"The parable of a person who spends his wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed that grows seven stalks, on each stalk there are a hundred seeds. Allah multiplies (rewards) for whom He wills." (QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 261)

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The Difference Between Regular Alms and Continuous Alms

However, not all charity has the same impact and rewards. There is regular charity, and there is also ongoing charity—a special form of charity whose rewards continue to flow even after the giver passes away.

Unfortunately, many people still don't understand the difference between the two. However, knowing this difference can help us choose the most effective and long-lasting way to give alms.

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What is Ordinary Charity?

Ordinary charity is a gift or assistance whose benefits are immediately felt and quickly exhausted. The reward is earned when the charity provides benefits, but it ceases once its benefits are over.

For example, giving food to the hungry, donating money to orphans, or directly assisting disaster victims with basic necessities are all good and rewarding acts of charity, but they are temporary in nature.

Once the food has been eaten or the money has been used up, the reward for the charity ceases. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

God willing, God willing, God willing, God willing. name يُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ، أَوْ وَلَدٍ صَالِحٍ يَدْعُو لَهُ

"Every deed of Adam's child will end when he dies, except for three things: charity, useful knowledge, and pious children who pray for him." (HR. Muslim No. 1631)

From this hadith, it is clear that regular charity ceases to be beneficial over time, while ongoing charity continues to flow indefinitely. What is the difference?

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What is Continuous Charity?

Continuous charity is a form of goodness whose benefits are repeated and sustained, so its rewards continue to flow even after the giver has passed away. As long as the benefits of the charity are still being used, the rewards will continue to grow.

Examples of Jariyah alms include:

1. Endowments for mosques, schools or Islamic boarding schools.

As long as the building is used for worship and education, every charity that occurs there also flows to the waqf.

2. Contribute wells or clean water facilities.

Every drop of water used by the community becomes an endless source of reward.

3. Plant trees whose fruit is used by many people.

4. Waqf Quran or alms mushaf Jariyah .

Every time the Al-Qur'an donated is read, taught, or even just touched for worship, rewards will continue to flow to the giver.

This is the uniqueness of ongoing charity — it does not stop at the recipient, but flows to the next generation.

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Quran Waqf : The Easiest Jariyah Alms

One of the easiest forms of almsgiving is Al-Qur'an waqf. By donating the Qur'an, you not only give mushaf to someone, but also channel the light of Allah's knowledge and guidance to many hearts.

Imagine, every letter read from the Koran that you donate will be an ongoing reward. Rasulullah ﷺ said:

مَنْ دَلَّ عَلَى خَيْرٍ، فَلَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرَ

"Whoever shows goodness, he will be rewarded like the reward of those who do it." (HR. Muslim No. 1893)

This means that if someone reads the Qur'an that comes from your waqf, then you will get a reward like the person who reads it, without reducing their reward in the slightest.

Endowing the Quran is also a practice that fosters the continuity of knowledge. In Islamic boarding schools, madrasas, mosques, and tahfiz (memorization centers), many students learn to recite the Quran from endowment-given mushafs. 

So every time a verse of the Qur'an is memorized, recited together, or taught again — the name of the donor is recorded in the record of good deeds.

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Comparison of Ordinary Alms and Jariyah Alms

Aspect: Ordinary Alms. / Alms Jariyah (Quran Waqf)

Nature of Benefits: Short term. / Long term and sustainable

Reward: Limited, stops after the benefit is completed. / Continues to flow even after the giver dies

Ownership of the goods is transferred to the recipient. / The goods belong to Allah, their benefits are for the public.

Examples: Giving money, food, clothes. / Waqf Quran, building mosques, wells, schools

Spiritual Value: Direct kindness. / Kindness is manifold, reward is endless

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The Difference Between Waqf and Ordinary Alms

Even though they are both oriented towards goodness, waqf and alms are usually different in concept:

• Ordinary charity:

The goods or money are given entirely to the recipient and become their property. The benefits are immediate and are used up after use.

• Waqf (continuous charity):

The donated property is not owned by the recipient, but its benefits are used for public benefit or religious purposes. The principal property must remain intact, and the rewards continue to flow as long as the endowment continues.

The secret of waqf is that it is one of the highest forms of charity, as it binds wealth to Allah. In the Quran, Allah affirms:

لَنْ تَنَالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتّٰى تُنْفِقُوْا مِمَّا تُحِبُّوْنَ ۗوَمَا تُنْفِقُوْا مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ بِهٖ عَلِيْمٌ

"You will never achieve perfect virtue, until you spend some of the wealth you love. And whatever you spend, then indeed Allah knows." (QS. Ali Imran [3]: 92)

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Why Should You Start with Quranic Alms ?

For those of you who want to start giving charity without having to wait until you're rich, giving charity in the Quran is the easiest way. With just a small amount, you can help spread God's light to those in need.

Imagine the rewards that flow from:

• Students who read the memorization every morning,

• Children who learn iqra' at the mosque,

• Congregants who read the Koran on Ramadan nights.

All their rewards will also flow to you, God willing.

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Make your Alms Eternal

Every charity is a good deed, but ongoing charity provides ongoing rewards. If ordinary charity is like a spark of light, then Quranic endowments are like an unquenchable lantern.

Start simple — a single copy of the Quran can be a source of endless rewards for you. While our lives are limited by time, donating the Quran allows our deeds to live forever.

" If a person dies, then his deeds are cut off except for three: charity, useful knowledge, and pious children who pray for him. " (HR. Muslim)

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🌙 Come on, upgrade your alms to almsgiving!

Start with the endowment of the Quran, send the light of guidance, and let the rewards of the Quran Jariyah flow forever.

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