Sadaqah (voluntary charity) is a virtuous deed in Islam. In fact, it is considered as proof of one’s Eman (faith). All kinds of good deeds, whether material or spiritual, done in order to gain the pleasure of Allahu are called sadaqah. The Islamic aid Sadaqah is something that has been given a great deal of importance in Islam because it leads to an ultimate goal that is to help needy and poor people. Islamic aid Sadaqah a charitable giving is to undertake a highly preached, highly emphasized and highly encouraged act in Islam. 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)

In Islamic terminology, the word Sadaqah means to voluntarily give charity out of the goodness of one’s heart. 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:

الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ لَا يُتْبِعُونَ مَا أَنفَقُوا مَنًّا وَلَا أَذًى لَّهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

“Those who spend their wealth in (the) way (of) Allah then not they follow what they spend (with) reminders of generosity and not hurt – for them their reward (is) with their Lord, and (there will be) no fear on them and not they will grieve.” (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:262)

Sadaqah is an act of kindness whose sole focus is to help in all ways possible. It is simply a deed that it helps someone else, in any way. Sadaqah is a very easy form of charity and can be conducted by anyone to help them increase their faith. The faith of the believer is highlighted in performing this act and is heightened even more.

Here are some benefits of giving sadaqah in Allah’s way:

1. Sadaqah is prevention from the unfavourable conditions
2. Sadaqah does not let people die of thirst and hunger
3. Sadaqah saves someone from the embarrassment
4. Sadaqah saves someone from asking for money
5. Sadaqah spreads humanity to the non-Muslims
6. Sadaqah enhance our wealth won’t be reduced
7. Sadaqah is the best investment with Allah SWT
8. Sadaqah seek only the desire to see Allah
9. Sadaqah helping  a blind human being
10. Sadaqah has protection from tragedies
11. Sadaqah after the mandatory need 
12. Sadaqah resulting in huge rewards
13. Sadaqah is similar to that of Zakat
14. Sadaqah with what we love
15. Sadaqah is a virtuous deed in Islam
16. Sadaqah offering grants to the poor
17. Sadaqah is a voluntary act of charity
18. Sadaqah balances society’s wealth flow
19. Sadaqah clean that an individual’s wealth
20. Sadaqah remove harmful things from the path
21. Sadaqah is smiling In front of a Muslim brother
22. Sadaqah as benefitting from the stable community
23. Sadaqah attaining shade on the Day of Resurrection
24. Sadaqah after the mandatory need has been fulfilled

In Islam, anyone can give Sadaqah because it is a charity given out as a gesture of generosity, love, compassion, camaraderie. It defines no limit as to how much you are willing to give. There is only one objective to give Sadaqah; to help those who truly need it and can benefit from it. Allah says:

مَّن ذَا الَّذِي يُقْرِضُ اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا فَيُضَاعِفَهُ لَهُ أَضْعَافًا كَثِيرَةً وَاللَّهُ يَقْبِضُ وَيَبْسُطُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ 

“Sadaqah is a guaranteed investment. Who is he that will loan to Allah a beautiful loan which Allah will double unto his credit and multiply it many times?” (Surah Al-Bakara, 2:245)

In fact, sadaqah has been mentioned by Muslims as a way to thank Allah and guard themselves against any kind of difficulties. In addition, 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. We as Muslims should give Sadaqah to help poor people.

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

Spending in Allah’s Cause is a sign of one’s true and sincere faith, the strength of trust in his Lord and hope for great rewards both in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. Besides the above-mentioned benefits and virtues, it has many other benefits, which a Muslim long for. Allah says:

يَمْحَقُ اللَّهُ الرِّبَا وَيُرْبِي الصَّدَقَاتِ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ أَثِيمٍ 

“Allah will destroy Riba (usury) and will give increase for Sadaqat (deeds of charity, alms, etc.).” (Al-Baqarah 2:276)

One should not be afraid of poverty. He must spend for sake of Allah. It is Satan that frightens us with poverty and beautifies for us miserliness and stinginess. Our duty is just to give sadaqah generously and leave the rest on Allah. Muslims are instructed by Allah to try to give Sadaqah for His sake and spread generosity in society.

Allah SWT says in the Holy Quran:

• “Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. Allah is free of all wants, and He is Most-Forbearing.” (Surah Al-Baqara, 263)
• “Allah will deprive usury of all blessing but will give increase for deeds of charity: For He loveth not creatures ungrateful and wicked.” (Surah Al-Baqara, 276)
• “Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him, you will be returned.” (Quran2:245)
• “ And whoever volunteers good – then indeed, Allah is appreciative and Knowing.” (Quran, 2: 158)
• “Verily those who give sadaqah, men, and women, and lend Allah a goodly loan, it shall be increased manifold, and theirs shall be an honourable good reward (Paradise).” (Surah Al Hadid: 18)

Islamic aid Sadaqah a charitable giving is to undertake a highly preached, highly emphasized and highly encouraged act in Islam. We as Muslims should give Sadaqah to help poor people. Our duty is just to 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. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share them with others. Allah says:

وَمَا آتَيْتُم مِّن رِّبًا لِّيَرْبُوَ فِي أَمْوَالِ النَّاسِ فَلَا يَرْبُو عِندَ اللَّهِ وَمَا آتَيْتُم مِّن زَكَاةٍ تُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُضْعِفُونَ 

“…that which you give for charity, seeking the Countenance of Allah, (will increase); it is those who will get a recompense multiplied.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 30:39)

Sadaqah is possible in every way and Muslims must observe righteousness by undertaking this duty to heart whenever the circumstance permits. There is a Sadaqah for everything, and it is the righteous duty of every Muslim to undertake this task in whichever way possible. In its simplest form, even passing a friendly smile to someone is considered to be a Sadaqah. 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. Allah says:

الشَّيْطَانُ يَعِدُكُمُ الْفَقْرَ وَيَأْمُرُكُم بِالْفَحْشَاءِ وَاللَّهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغْفِرَةً مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلًا وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

“The Shaitaan promises you [the] poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah (is) All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:268)

May Allah encourage all Muslims to give as much Sadaqah as humanly possible for the betterment of the Muslim Ummah. May Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful give us opportunities to do many ways of giving sadaqah for His pleasure and reward our best life, especially in the Hereafter. May we spend our lives, time, money and efforts or everything in us to do deeds that Allah accepts as forms of sadaqah solely for His Sake. May our Rabb save us from the Hellfire by protecting us from being a miser. Ameen.