Almost every day we spend thousands of money on food, dresses, ornamentation and other “essentials” of life, but when it comes to giving sadaqah, we can have a lot of excuses like being short of money, under debt, not being capable, or delayed salary, and so on. Sadaqah (charity) is about giving something to someone with the sole purpose to please Allah. It is voluntary that may be given at any time of the year and in any amount. Allah says:

إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

“Only the charities (are) for the poor, and the needy and those who collect them, and the ones inclined their hearts, and in the (freeing of) the necks, and for those in debt and in (the) way (of) Allah, and the wayfarer – an obligation from Allah. And Allah (is) All-Knowing, All-Wise. (Surah At-Taubah 9:60)

Sadaqah and Zakah are two very different concepts described by the Quran which can be confused by inconsistent translations. Whereas Sadaqah at its core is a charitable deed that can manifest in multi-faceted forms, Zakah seems to have a very specific purpose and remains obligatory to the community. Any avoidance of paying Zakah attracts very strong condemnation by the Quran. Allah says:

أَأَشْفَقْتُمْ أَن تُقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ نَجْوَاكُمْ صَدَقَاتٍ فَإِذْ لَمْ تَفْعَلُوا وَتَابَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَاللَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

“Do you fear that you will not give in Sadaqat before your consultation? So when you do not do it and God has turned to you (mercifully), then keep up prayer and pay Zakat and obey God and His Messenger; and God is Aware of what you do.” (Surah Al-Mujadila 58:13)

Sadaqah has been mentioned by Muslims as a way to thank Allah and guard themselves against any kind of difficulties. Also, it helps society by providing support to the needy and the poor. Sadaqah is a way for those whom Allah has blessed with wealth to share with their relatives and neighbours in need.

Benefits of Sadaqa (Charity)

• No reward must be expected in this world
• It is preferable to give charity in secret
• The Best Investment with Allah SWT
• Resulting In Huge Rewards
• Protection from Tragedies
• It must be in the way of God
• Never-Ending Rewards From Allah SWT
• Attaining Shade On The Day of Resurrection

In Islam, giving Zakat and Sadaqah (charity) has enormous rewards. The Quran verses and the Prophet’s (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) ahadith attest to the fact that giving charity not only is an act of kindness toward the recipients but it has enormous benefits for those who give it including warding off life’s challenges and problems and resulting in the increase of one’s wealth. The following sheds some light on such rewards. Allah says:

خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ صَلَاتَكَ سَكَنٌ لَّهُمْ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

“Take from their wealth a charity, purifying them and cause them to increase by it, and bless [upon] them. Indeed, your blessings (are a) reassurance for them. And Allah (is) All-Hearer, All-Knower.” (Surah At-Taubah 9:103)

First, let’s clear up the distinction between Zakat (Zakah) and Sadaqah. Zakah is an obligatory act and an important pillar of the Islamic faith. It is enjoined in Islam on specific things such as possession of gold, silver, crops, fruits, trade goods and livestock, i.e., camels, cattle and sheep. As Zakat is obligatory, this means that whoever dies and owes Zakah, his heirs must pay it from his wealth, and that takes precedence over the will (wasiyah) and inheritance.

Types of Sadaqah

1. Smiling In Front Of A Muslim Brother
2. Dhikr (Remembrance) Of Allah SWT
3. Every Action Of Goodness
4. Guiding Other Person
5. Helping  A Blind Human Being
6. Pouring Water For Muslim Fellow
7. Eliminating Harmful Objects From Passageway

Unfortunately, many who give to the needy and the poor (especially from friends and family) keep reminding them of their actions after giving to maintain some sense of superiority. Allah mentions in the Quran that for us to get the reward, we should refrain from indulging in such acts. Allah says:

إِن تُبْدُوا الصَّدَقَاتِ فَنِعِمَّا هِيَ وَإِن تُخْفُوهَا وَتُؤْتُوهَا الْفُقَرَاءَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَيُكَفِّرُ عَنكُم مِّن سَيِّئَاتِكُمْوَاللَّـهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ

“If you give alms openly, it is well, and if you hide it and give it to the poor, it is better for you; and this will do away with some of your evil deeds, and Allah is aware of what you do.” (Surah al-Baqarah 251)

Sadaqah and charity is not something that we should give only once in a while. Rather, we should try to find a way to give daily to the needy, even if it’s little. If only we knew the blessings and rewards from such acts and how Allah saves us from life’s daily problems, we would give daily. Allah says:

وَأَنفِقُوا مِن مَّا رَزَقْنَاكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَا أَخَّرْتَنِي إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

“And spend from what We have provided you before [that] comes (to) one of you the death and he says, “My Lord! Why not You delay me for a term near so I would give charity and be among the righteous.” (Surah Al-Munafiqun 63:10)

Spend in charity if you want Allah to spend on you:

• It is better to conceal what we give or do as sadaqah
• Begin charity with your dependents
• Do not count the sadaqah you give
• Seek only the desire to see Allah, which is the supreme success in Paradise
• Not to delay giving of sadaqah nor show lethargy or negligence in giving sadaqah

Many of us hesitate to give using the excuse that we don’t have enough to give. We should give the best of our possessions in the Path of Allah. We should avoid giving something to others which we dislike. Therefore our choice of wealth will define the passion of our love towards Allah. We must always give charity wholeheartedly without thinking of it as a burden upon us. Allah says:

فَلَمَّا آتَاهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِ بَخِلُوا بِهِ وَتَوَلَّوا وَّهُم مُّعْرِضُونَ

“But when He gave them of His Bounty, they became stingy with it and turned away while they (were) averse.” (Surah At-Taubah 9:76)

The act symbolizes our will to give up some of our bounties, to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. It is to train us how to surrender ourselves to the will of Allah for the sake of serving humanity. Allah says:

إِنَّ الْمُصَّدِّقِينَ وَالْمُصَّدِّقَاتِ وَأَقْرَضُوا اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا يُضَاعَفُ لَهُمْ وَلَهُمْ أَجْرٌ كَرِيمٌ

“Indeed, the men who give charity and the women who give charity and who lend (to) Allah a loan goodly, it will be multiplied for them, and them (is) a reward noble.” (Surah Al Hadid: 57:18)

Certainly, sadaqah is the greatest investment for this world and the hereafter. In return, we get good health, blessings and prosperity, and Divine shade on the Day of Judgement, and it also defends us from many kinds of calamities. We just must give sadaqah generously and leave the rest on Allah. He better knows what is good for us. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share them with others.