World Forum for Sri Lankan Muslims Sri Lanka Muslims Forum
Sadaqah Jariyah: In Secret and in Public – How Do We See It?
Sadaqah Jariyah, or ongoing charity, can be given both in secret and in public. When it involves two individuals, it is best done in secret to preserve sincerity and avoid showing off. However, when it involves groups, organizations, or public projects, it is often better to publicize it.
Why? Public giving in such cases encourages others to contribute, builds collective momentum, and brings transparency. It also highlights the importance of the cause and can inspire a culture of giving within the community. While intentions must always be sincere, public charity for group efforts can multiply its impact.
Explanation:
Secret giving (between individuals): Islam encourages privacy in personal charity to safeguard the purity of intention (ikhlas) and to avoid riyaa (showing off). The Qur’an praises those who give secretly, describing it as more spiritually rewarding
Public giving (for group projects): In contrast, when giving towards a masjid, school, well, tree planting project, etc., publicizing donations can serve a different, beneficial purpose:
Encourages others – People are often inspired to give when they see others contributing.
Strengthens community support – Public support shows that a cause is trustworthy and meaningful.
Promotes transparency – Especially important in collective fundraising, where trust is essential.
Both forms are valid and praiseworthy in Islam, depending on the context and intention. The key is to ensure that even public giving is done with sincerity and for the sake of Allah.
Disclaimer :
Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect World Forum for Sri Lankan Muslims (wfslm.org) point-of-view.
