Is the purchase of a coffin (or bier) and washing slab, and their placement in Muslim cemeteries, considered an ongoing charity (ṣadaqah jāriyah) that may be given for the soul of the deceased? Is the donation of money to Islamic organizations for the drilling of water wells in poor African countries considered an ongoing charity for the soul of the deceased? And does anything from the reward reach the deceased if the donated amount is used for a purpose other than that for which it was intended as an ongoing charity, without the donor's knowledge?

Perpetual charity (ṣadaqah jāriyah) is an endowment (waqf), which entails holding the principal in trust and dedicating its usufruct (benefits). It is permissible to endow a coffin and a washing-slab for the deceased and dedicate the reward thereof to the deceased. Similarly, it is permissible to pay money for digging a well as a perpetual charity on behalf of the deceased, and this is one of the best types of perpetual charity. The entity entrusted with the well must abide by the condition stipulated by the endower, unless a change in the condition is necessitated by public interest. If the money is spent on something other than perpetual charity, it is hoped that the reward of perpetual charity will reach the deceased, and the one who gave the charity will be rewarded for their good intention, for intending to do good is a righteous deed for which a servant is rewarded.