Sadaqah: The Essential Facts
'Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and spend (in charity) out of the (substance) whereof He has made you heirs. For, those of you who believe and spend (in charity), for them is a great Reward.’ (Qur'an 57:7)
The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter and it’s come to that time when we want to reap the rewards of the most blessed month of the year. Our tongues are wet with the remembrance of Allah (swt) and the gates of Jannah are wide open. What better time to give in charity than the month when our deeds are multiplied? I’m sure we've all got lots of questions about what we think we should know when it comes to Sadaqah but maybe are too shy to ask. Here are some frequently asked questions about giving charity in Islam.
What is Sadaqah?
Sadaqah is the act of charity given purely out of compassion, love, friendship, religious duty or generosity. It's the smile you give to your neighbour, the potential harm you remove from someone’s pathway, the food you feed to the needy or the well you dig to quench someone's thirst.
Who can give Sadaqah?
Anyone can give Sadaqah at any time and for any amount.
How much Sadaqah do I have to give?
Unlike Zakat, Sadaqah has no set amount. You can give anything that you are financially capable of. The decision about how much to give is left to the individual. Abu Bakr (ra) used to give everything he had, leaving Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw) to provide for his family, whereas Umar Al Khattab (ra) gave half of what he had.
What types of Sadaqah are there?
- Sadaqah lillah: Charity for the sake of Allah
- Sadaqah Jariyah: Continuous charity
- Waqf: Assets that are donated, bequeathed, or purchased for the purpose of being held in perpetual trust as ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah) or for a general or specific cause that Islam regards as socially beneficial
What are the conditions of Sadaqah?
- Sadaqah must be given sincerely for the pleasure of Allah (swt) and not to gain praise or recognition from others
- Sadaqah can only be given from a halal (lawful) source
- It is better to conceal what we give or do
- Do not delay in the giving of Sadaqah
- Do not count whatever you give
What’s the difference between Sadaqah and Zakat?
Sadaqah
- Given in any amount
- Given at any time
- Given to anyone in need of help
- Can be given on behalf of another person
Zakat
- 2.5 % of annual savings
- Given annually
- Given to a specific group of people i.e. the poor, the wayfarers, recent reverts to Islam
- Cannot be given on behalf on anybody
What are the benefits of Sadaqah?
There are many benefits in giving Sadaqah. It is ultimately an investment for the hereafter. With Sadaqah comes an immense reward as well as forgiveness for our sins, as the Prophet (saw) said, 'Charity extinguishes sins just as water extinguishes fire'. (Tirmidhi)
Those who give Sadaqah are promised by Allah (swt) that they have not lost anything; rather, the more you give for the sake of Allah (swt), the more Allah will give to you. He (swt) has promised that he will multiply the reward of giving charity by at least 700 times:
'The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed of grain, which grows seven ears; in each ear is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies His reward for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and all-Knowing’. (Qur’an, 2:261)
Don't miss out on these amazing blessings; take advantage of this divine promise!
