In an age where a single post can reach thousands in seconds, it becomes impossible to ignore the powerful influence of social media. What was once created for connection and conversation has evolved into one of the greatest tools for impact, awareness, and collective upliftment – if that is what you seek on these platforms. For Muslims, this digital age presents a unique and often overlooked opportunity; the chance to turn our online presence into sadaqah jariyah, a continuous charity, a reward that can last long after we’ve logged out and left this world.
As someone who has spent years using social platforms, I’ve always saved room to bring attention to humanitarian work, one of my passions. I’ve seen firsthand how a share, comment, or donation link can change lives. But my journey also taught me that using social media for good is not accidental, it is intentional, and rooted deeply in our faith.
Understanding Sadaqah Jariyah in the Digital Era
Islam teaches us that charity is not limited to wealth. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “When a person dies, all of his deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah), beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.” (Sahih Muslim)
This hadith summarizes which deeds continue to benefit us even after death. We often think of a few certain deeds when we hear sadaqah jariyah, such as building a well, sponsoring an orphan, planting a tree, or projects like constructing schools or masjids. But today, we have new spaces where our efforts can live on, and one of the most unique is social media.
A post offering the opportunity to give in charity, a reminder of kindness, or a Quranic verse that inspires someone to get closer to Allah, can become an ongoing stream of reward too. The domino effect is real. One person shares, ten others see it, two donate, one volunteers, and then suddenly, a chain of good has been formed, all starting by a single post on social media.
My Journey from Sharing Posts to Witnessing Impact
When I first began posting on social media, circa 2007, it wasn’t about charity work, it was more like a shared diary of posted pictures and thoughts. I didn’t really have a plan or understand the magnitude of what social media could do. At the time, my intention was simple: spread inspiration, share my poetry, opinions, and pieces of my life.
Eventually, I realized I could create bigger and more impactful change. That’s when I began to assist organizations, spreading awareness so more people could support humanitarian projects I believed in. What’s more, as the posts gained traction, I began receiving messages from strangers across the world telling me a video moved them to donate, a caption pushed them to pray, or a photo reminded them to be grateful. There were moments that left me speechless, honored, and, at times, unworthy of this feedback. For me, I was simply sharing things I was passionate about.
A single Instagram story once helped raise money for a divorcee who hadn’t eaten properly and needed to flee an abusive husband. Another post brought in enough support for a mental health organization to stay in business. Sometimes, it wasn’t even the video or effort I put in, it was seeing others repost, comment with prayers, or encourage their own circles to give. It was building communities and alliances. It became clear to me that even if I could not physically be everywhere, my message could spread far and wide.
That is one of the gifts of our time. Social media isn’t just a tool, it also can be a bridge between those who need help and those who are able to give it; a bridge between awareness and action, between intention and impact.
Spreading Good
Allah (SWT) reminds us, “Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a reward like the one who did it.” (Quran 4:85)
This isn’t limited to in-person guidance. In our day and age, “guiding someone to good” often happens through screens. Consider this, when you share a fundraiser link, remind someone to give, or spread knowledge that leads to charity, you also are guiding others toward good deeds. Every action they take can add to your scale of good, without diminishing theirs.
In another verse, Allah says, “The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven ears; in every ear is a hundred grains.” (Quran 2:261)
Now imagine this multiplied through social media. One post becoming seventy, then seven hundred, then thousands. The rewards become unimaginable!
Four Reasons to Embrace Social Media as a Platform for Continuous Charity
- Small actions lead to huge impact. You don’t need millions of followers to make a difference. Sometimes the right message reaches the right heart at the right time. One reminder to donate $5 might feed a family, and one repost might inspire someone else to fund an entire project.
- Knowledge spreads faster than ever before. Sharing a Quran verse, an authentic hadith, a reflection, or a reminder of compassion can reach people who are struggling, distant from faith, or looking for direction.
- You can unknowingly create ongoing benefit. Your content stays online, people may find it weeks, months, or even years later, and each time it inspires good, your rewards continue, inshallah.
- It allows you to fulfill your duty to uplift the ummah. Social media connects us to the suffering of the ummah in real time and gives us the ability to respond immediately.
Your Voice Matters
If you’ve ever wondered whether your posts make an impact, or if your small efforts are seen, just keep hope in Allah (SWT) that someone will see your post and act on it, that someone will be inspired, someone may give, and someone will help, and that chain reaction of good might continue long after we’re gone.
This is one of the ways we can leave a legacy behind.
So let us use our platforms with purpose. Whenever you can, fil your timelines with reminders of compassion. Let’s raise awareness for those who cannot speak for themselves. Let us turn some of our scrolling into sadaqah, service, and our platforms into pathways of mercy.
May Allah (SWT) accept every sincere effort, every post shared for good, and every action taken to uplift His creation. And may our social media, often seen as a distraction, become a source of ongoing reward in this life and the next.
Allahumma Ameen.
