Reviving Perpetual Endowments
May/Jun 2024
Beyond mere acts of worship, Islam is a holistic way of life grounded in compassion, equality, and service. In the tapestry of Islamic teachings, one strand that shines brightly is that of sadaqa jariya (continuous or perpetual charity).
Rooted in Islam’s profound values, this practice embodies the timeless principle that the ripple effects of good and charitable acts extend far beyond the immediate moment and continue to benefit others long afterward. As Muslims, we are called to worship and represent the spirit of compassion, equality and service in our daily lives.
The Quran speaks to the perpetual rewards of righteous actions: “And those who believe and do righteous deeds — We will surely remove from them their misdeeds and will surely reward them according to the best of what they used to do” (29:7). This verse captures the essence of sadaqa jariya, emphasizing the enduring impact of good deeds both here and in the Hereafter.
Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) encouraged his followers to engage in such acts by telling the Companions, “When a person dies, his/her deeds come to an end except for three: sadaqa jariya, knowledge from which benefit is gained, or a righteous child who prays for him/her” (“Sahih Muslim”; “Riyad al-Salihin,” book 12, hadith no. 81,383).
Sadaqa jariya encompasses various charitable acts ranging from providing clean water to impoverished communities to building schools and hospitals that benefit the present and future generations. Other examples include investing in education. The Persian poet Saadi Shirazi eloquently stated, “The ink of a scholar is more sacred than the blood of a martyr.” Other good acts include planting trees to benefit the environment and prevent soil erosion, donating books and establishing libraries to grant access to knowledge, as well as setting up endowment funds to ensure a steady income stream for charitable causes in perpetuity.
Historical Endowments
The University of al-Karaouine in Fes, the Muslim world’s first formal madrasa, was established in 859 by Fatima al-Fihri, a wealthy female Tunisian merchant, is still fully functional. Zubayda, the Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid’s wife, personally funded many mosques, roads and wells in the Hijaz that greatly benefit the many students who traveled through these areas.
Hurrem Sultan, the Ottoman sultan Suleyman’s wife, endowed numerous madrasas in addition to hospitals, public baths and soup kitchens. During the Ayyubid period of Damascus (1174-1260), women created 26 religious endowments, among them madrasas, mosques and religious monuments.
Numerous Muslim charitable organizations in North America exemplify this same principle. However, as they focus on humanitarian issues, today we find no endowed educational institutions there.
Beyond providing food and shelter to people in need, donors could use this powerful tool to sponsor or support students or institutions of higher learning. Investing in education empowers individuals to fulfill their potential and sows the seeds of positive change in society. In fact, education’s benefits extend far beyond the individual learners by enriching entire families, communities and nations. As the renowned Persian poet Rumi once said, “The beauty you see in me is a reflection of you.”
Early Islamic teachings encouraged and promoted the pursuit of scholarship and science. Seeking knowledge about the natural world was seen as the duty of every Muslim, for Abu Hurayra (radi Allahu ‘anh) reported that the Prophet said, “Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise” (“Sahih Muslim,” 2699).
Howard R. Turner also quotes this in his “Science in Medieval Islam: An Illustrated Introduction” (University of Texas Press, 1997), in which he explores medieval Islamic accomplishments in cosmology, mathematics, astronomy, astrology, geography, medicine, natural sciences, alchemy and optics. He also explains how Muslims’ scientific achievements influenced the advance of science in the West from the Renaissance onward.
Education arms individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to overcome adversity, pursue their dreams and make meaningful contributions to society. Moreover, it catalyzes social and economic development and thereby breaks the cycle of poverty and inequality that plagues so many communities.
As the Quran proclaims: “And those who strive for Us — We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good” (29:69).
We Muslims need to answer the call to engage in acts of sadaqa jariya, knowing that our efforts can transform lives and uplift entire communities. Whether sponsoring a student, supporting sustainable development projects or investing in initiatives that promote social justice and equality, let’s strive to leave behind a legacy of compassion and kindness.
Muslims have a historical legacy of significant scientific and technological advancements. Despite this, our recent contributions in these domains have not lived up to their potential. Instead, modern cities and impressive structures have largely been constructed with external expertise rather than drawing upon our own capabilities. Consequently, we frequently turn to external assistance for safety and to safeguard our investments.
To rectify this situation, Muslims must prioritize investing in education, particularly in STEM disciplines, for such initiatives can help us break free of our current dependency on external aid and confidently assert our capability in these fields. Indeed, such education is crucial for empowering our community and positioning it competitively in the contemporary global landscape. Instead of attributing our decline solely to external factors, a feel-good effort that does nothing to reverse this sad reality, we must take ownership of our progress.
A Responsibility
As Muslims, it’s our responsibility to actively seek out the tools and knowledge necessary for success. Creating a culture of lifelong learning and innovation is at the heart of this pursuit. We must avoid becoming complacent by striving for excellence in everything we do. Our contribution to society is crucial, and we must become experts in our respective fields so that people come to us seeking guidance and advice. Iqbal’s philosophy of khudi, which emphasizes self-empowerment, perfectly captures this idea. By becoming the absolute best in our respective fields, we can make a real difference and have a positive impact on those around us.
Additionally, Muslims should recognize and aggressively pursue sadaqa jariya’s potential as an ongoing charity that empowers individual students and educational institutions. Ultimately, the goal is to create an environment in which Muslims can integrate seamlessly into the modern world without compromising their values and beliefs. This requires a proactive approach to education, innovation and self-reliance. By embracing these principles, we can reclaim our position as leaders in science and technology while staying true to our heritage.
There should be a paradigm with hearts full of compassion and minds open to sadaqa jariya’s transformative power. May our actions serve as a source of light and hope for all those in need, and may Allah accept our deeds and shower His blessings upon us and our communities.
Mohammad Yunus, Ph.D., a former CEO of Illinois’ State Psychiatric Hospital, has been a faculty member at the University of Phoenix’s John Sperling College of Business since 2003 and has sat on several national advisory councils and mental health boards.
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