Sadaqah: The Facts
Quran and Sadaqah
'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 and the nights, shorter. It's that time of the year when we want to reap the rewards of the most blessed month of the year. What better time to give charity than in the month of Ramadan when our deeds are multiplied. Below are some frequently asked questions about Sadaqah, the act of giving charity in Islam.
What is Sadaqah?
Sadaqah is the act of charity given out of compassion, love, friendship, religious duty, or generosity. It's about the smile you bring on someone's face, the harm you remove from a person's path, the food you feed to the needy, and 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 should I give?
Unlike Zakat, Sadaqah has no set amount. You can give whatever you are financially able to. Abubakr (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 exist?
- Sadaqah lillah is charity for the sake of Allah (swt).
- Sadaqah Jariyah is a continuous form of charity. For example, building a water well for a community in need. For just $390, provide a tube well for upto four families for drinking, washing and cooking. And for $1200, donate a dig-a-well, serving up to 200 people. Sadaqah Jariyah is considered the best form of charity as it continues to benefit generations long after giving.
Hadith on Giving Sadaqah Jariyah
Sa'd ibn Ubadah reported: I said, “O Messenger Of Allah, My mother has died. Shall I give charity on her behalf?” The Prophet said,
“Yes.” I said, “Which charity is the best?”,
The Prophet said, “A drink of water.”
- Waqf are donated or purchased assets to be held in trust as an ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah) or for a cause that Islam regards as socially beneficial
What are the conditions of Sadaqah in Islam?
- Sadaqah must be given for pleasing Allah (SWT) and not to gain praise 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 giving Sadaqah
- Do not count what you give
What’s the difference between Sadaqah and Zakat
Sadaqah
- Given in any amount
- Given at any time
- Given to anyone in need
- Can be given on behalf of another person
- 2.5 % of annual savings
- Given annually
- Given to a specific group of people (the poor, Muslims)
- Cannot be given on behalf of anybody
- Access your Zakat Calculator
What are the benefits of Sadaqah?
Sadaqah is ultimately an investment for the hereafter. With giving charity comes an immense reward, ‘And those who are patient…and spend from what We have provided for them secretly and publicly and prevent evil with good - those will have the good consequence of [this] home’ (Qur’an 13:22) and a forgiveness of sins, as the Prophet (SAW) tell us, ‘charity extinguishes sins just as water extinguishes fire’ (Tirmidhi).
‘Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.' (Qur’an 2:274)
What is Sadaqat-al-Fitr
Zakat al-Fitr, also known as Sadaqat al-Fitr, is a charitable practice observed by Muslims as Ramadan, the sacred month of fasting, draws to a close. It is obligatory for every Muslim with the financial means to contribute. Zakat al-Fitr aims to cleanse the fasting individuals from any unseemly conduct or speech and to assist impoverished communities. Typically, it is offered in the form of essential food provisions such as wheat and other items or the monetary equivalent corresponding to the value of these items.
