Is assisting the chronically ill wife of a relative with her treatment costs, knowing that her husband cannot cover these expenses, considered an ongoing charity (Sadaqa Jariyah)?
Ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah) is an endowment (waqf), which is when the principal is held in perpetuity and its usufruct is made available [to beneficiaries], and its reward continues, in accordance with the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "When a person dies, all his deeds come to an end except for three: an ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah), beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him." Helping the wife's cousin with medical expenses is not considered an ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah); rather, it is a good charity (sadaqah hasanah) and an act beloved by Allah Almighty, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "The most beloved people to Allah are those most beneficial to people," and his saying: "Whoever relieves a believer of a worldly distress, Allah will relieve him of a distress on the Day of Resurrection."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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