Which is better as an ongoing charity (ṣadaqah jāriyah) for the deceased: helping to build a mosque, or providing a source of water for a needy family?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Building and maintaining mosques, and assisting in their construction, are among the best acts of drawing near to Allah and the greatest ongoing charities. It is narrated in the : "Whoever builds a mosque for Allah, in which the Name of Allah Almighty is mentioned, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise." Similarly, providing water is among the best forms of charity, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The best charity is providing water." Bringing water to a needy family is better and takes precedence if it is not possible to combine it with building a mosque.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/106197
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 106197
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy