Q: A woman would like to donate a sum of money as a Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity), that she may be rewarded in her lifetime and after her death. What is a Sadaqah Jariyah? How does one benefit from it? Should I make (Part No. 16; Page No. 149) a deposit in my name in an Islamic bank, or in any other bank, then spend its profits on a cancer project, for instance? If the money is deposited in my name, can my heirs withdraw anything from it? Should it be deposited in the name of the person responsible for the project, such as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine? Is the person who deposits the money entitled to spend it in any way they like, or is it best to deposit the money in the name of a trustworthy doctor to spend its profits as agreed upon; provided that another trustworthy doctor is designated to oversee this project after him? Is donating a useful treatment device for patients, such as a kidney dialysis machine, considered a Sadaqah Jariyah? If so, is it recommended? What should be done when this machine no longer works, even if after twenty years? If the machine stops working, does the reward of the Sadaqah come to an end? Please, Your Eminence, I would like to have a written reply to all these questions. May Allah reward you.

A: It is recommended that this woman transfers a physical asset into a Waqf (endowment) that can be used as a Sadaqah Jariyah which will provide ongoing benefit to others, such as real estate or furnishings, (Part No. 16; Page No. 150) leaving the asset untouched. Any profits can be given as a Sadaqah (voluntary charity) to the poor and the relatives. It was authentically reported from `Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said, `Umar acquired some land in Khaybar, so he went to the Prophet (peace be upon him) to inquire about it. He told him, "O, Messenger of Allah! I have acquired some land in Khaybar that is the most precious to me. What shall I do with it?" He (peace be upon him) said, "You may keep the asset and give its profits as Sadaqah." `Umar gave its profits as Sadaqah, provided that this land is not sold, given or inherited to the poor, relatives, slaves, guests and wayfarers. There is no harm for the person who is in charge of it to eat from its profits or spend it on their friends reasonably. Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim, and the wording is Al-Bukhari's. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.