Have you ever wondered about the deeper significance of charity in Islam? What motivates a believer to give selflessly to others? How does the simple act of giving reflect one’s faith and devotion to Allah? These questions lead us to explore the concept of Sadaqah and Hadith about Sadaqah, a fundamental aspect of Islamic practice that goes beyond mere financial contributions.
Sadaqah, derived from the Arabic root word “sidq,” meaning sincerity or truthfulness, represents much more than material support. It is a profound expression of a Muslim’s sincere faith and trust in Allah. But what exactly is Sadaqah, and why is it so important in Islam? How does it purify our wealth and our hearts? what prophet Muhammad say in Hadith about Sadaqah , and how can every act of goodness be considered a form of Sadaqah?
In this article, we will delve into these questions, uncovering the layers of meaning behind Sadaqah and its role in the life of a Muslim. We will explore the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),Hadith about Sadaqah, and the Qur’an that highlight the virtues of charity, and understand how Sadaqah serves as a bridge between the material and the spiritual, between the giver and the receiver, and ultimately, between the believer and Allah. Join us as we journey into the heart of Sadaqah, discovering its power to transform lives and communities through the sincere faith of its practitioners.
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Hadith about Sadaqah
There are many hadith about sadaqah in Islam, here are a few of them :
1-It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah said: ‘Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.’”
Narrated by al-Bukhari, 5073; Muslim, 993.
“ أن رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وسلم) قال: “قال الله: ‘أنفق يا ابن آدم أُنفق عليك’رواه البخاري ومسلم
2-Abu Dharr narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said, “You putting some of the water from your bucket in your brother’s bucket is sadaqah. You removing stones, thorns, and bones from people’s path is sadaqah. You guiding a man in a place where there are no guides is sadaqah.”
عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ (رضي الله عنه) قَالَ: قَالَ النَّبِيُّ (صلى الله عليه وسلم): “تَصَبُّ فِي دَلْوِ أَخِيكَ مِنْ دَلْوِكَ صَدَقَةٌ، وَتُنَحِّي الأَذَى عَنِ الطَّرِيقِ صَدَقَةٌ، وَتُرْشِدُ الرَّجُلَ فِي أَرْضِ الضَّلَالَةِ صَدَقَةٌ”
3-Narrated Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings – and Allah accepts only that which is good – Allah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who has given it, as one of you tends his colt, until it becomes like a mountain.”
Narrated by al-Bukhari (1344) and Muslim (1014).
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: من تصدق بعدل تمرة من كسب طيب – ولا يقبل الله إلا الطيب – وإن الله يتقبلها بيمينه، ثم يربيها لصاحبه كما يربي أحدكم فَلوَّه حتى تكون مثل الجبل. رواه البخاري (1344) ومسلم (1014).
Hadith about sadaqah in arabic
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ما من يوم يصبح العباد فيه إلا ملكان ينزلان فيقول أحدهما: اللهم أعط منفقا خلفاً، ويقول الآخر: اللهم أعط ممسكاً تلفاً. رواه البخاري (1374) ومسلم (1010).
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What is the difference between sadaqah and general charity?
In Islamic terminology, Sadaqah and general charity hve the same mean but there are two main concepts related to giving: sadaqah and zakat.
- Sadaqah (صدقة):
- Sadaqah is a broader term that encompasses voluntary acts of charity or generosity for those who is eligible for Sadaqah in Islam.
It can be given at any time and in any amount, without specific restrictions on who can receive it.
- Types of sadaqah include both monetary donations and non-monetary acts of kindness or help, such as volunteering, smiling at others, or even removing harmful objects from the road, for those who is eligible for Sadaqah in Islam.
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- Zakat (زكاة):
- Zakat, on the other hand, refers specifically to a mandatory form of charity in Islam.
It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is obligatory for Muslims who possess wealth above a certain threshold (nisab) after deducting necessary expenses.
- Zakat is calculated based on specific criteria, such as savings, investments, and business profits, and it is typically distributed among specific categories of recipients defined in Islamic law, including the poor, needy, debtors, travelers, and others in need, who is eligible for Sadaqah in Islam.
Who can Zakat be given to?
The categories of Zakat recipients in English are as follows:
- The Poor (Al-Fuqara): Those who have little to no wealth.
- The Needy (Al-Masakeen): Those who are in need but do not ask for help.
- Zakat Collectors (Al-‘Amilina ‘Alayha): Those who are appointed to collect and distribute Zakat.
- Those Whose Hearts are to be Reconciled (Al-Mu’allafatu Qulubuhum): Individuals who may be inclined towards Islam or need to be strengthened in their faith.
- Freeing Captives (Ar-Riqaab): Those who are enslaved or in bondage.
- Those in Debt (Al-Gharimeen): Individuals who are in debt and unable to pay it off.
- In the Path of Allah (Fi Sabilillah): Those striving for the cause of Allah, including students and those involved in dawah.
- The Wayfarer (Ibn As-Sabeel): Travelers who are stranded and in need of financial assistance.
Who can sadaqah be given to?
Sadaqah (charity) can be given to various categories of people as outlined in Islamic teachings, including:
- The poor and needy.
- Those facing a hardship or crisis.
- Close relatives (parents, children, grandparents, etc.)
- Orphans.
- Travelers in need.
- Institutions that benefit the community (schools, mosques, hospitals).
- Even animals
Can Non-Muslims Receive Sadaqah in Islam?
In Islam, the primary form of obligatory charity, known as Zakat, is generally not permissible to be given to non-Muslims.
Zakat is specifically designated for certain categories of recipients among the Muslim community, such as the poor, needy, debtors, and others specified in Islamic law, who is eligible for Sadaqah in Islam.
However, when it comes to Sadaqah (voluntary charity), the situation differs.
Sadaqah can be given to non-Muslims under certain circumstances:
- General Sadaqah:There is flexibility in giving voluntary charity (Sadaqah) to non-Muslims, especially in cases of humanitarian aid or assistance to alleviate hardship.
- Building Relations:Sadaqah can also be given as a means to build bridges and foster goodwill between Muslims and non-Muslims.
- Charitable Causes:If the intention is to support a charitable cause that benefits humanity at large, irrespective of religious affiliation, Sadaqah can be given to non-Muslims.
- Dawah Purpose:Sadaqah can sometimes be used as part of dawah efforts to introduce Islam to non-Muslims in a positive manner.
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Hadith about sadaqah in Ramadan
Sadaqah given in Ramadan is highly meritorious as mentioned in this Hadith about Sadaqah.
The best charity, as mentioned by the Prophet, is that which is given in this holy month.
The reward for giving charity (Sadaqah) in the month of Ramadan is multiplied compared to other months; it is a season of blessings and goodness.
- Narrated Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The best charity is that given in Ramadan.”
عن أنس بن مالك (رضي الله عنه) أن النبي ﷺ قال: “أفضل الصدقة صدقة في رمضان” (أخرجه الترمذي
Therefore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was the most generous of people in doing good, and he was most generous during Ramadan
- as reported by Imam al-Bukhari in his Sahih from Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them): “The Prophet (peace be upon him) was the most generous of people in doing good, and he was even more generous when Jibreel met him. Jibreel (peace be upon him) used to meet him every night in Ramadan until its end, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) would recite the Quran to him. Whenever Jibreel met him, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was more generous with goodness than a fleeting breeze.”
أخرج الإمام البخاريّ في صحيحه عن عبدالله بن عباس -رضي الله عنهما-: (كانَ النبيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ أجْوَدَ النَّاسِ بالخَيْرِ، وكانَ أجْوَدُ ما يَكونُ في رَمَضَانَ حِينَ يَلْقَاهُ جِبْرِيلُ، وكانَ جِبْرِيلُ عليه السَّلَامُ يَلْقَاهُ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ في رَمَضَانَ، حتَّى يَنْسَلِخَ، يَعْرِضُ عليه النبيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ القُرْآنَ، فَإِذَا لَقِيَهُ جِبْرِيلُ عليه السَّلَامُ، كانَ أجْوَدَ بالخَيْرِ مِنَ الرِّيحِ المُرْسَلَةِ)؛
This reflects the elevated status of Ramadan and the increased blessings and rewards associated with charitable acts during this period.
Reward of sadaqah in Islam
When we pass away, we leave behind everything we possessed, including our deeds. However, three things continue to benefit us even after death;one of them is sadaqah .
Charity bestows upon its giver numerous benefits and virtues, and here are the most prominent taken from Hadith about Sadaqah:
- Charity extinguishes the wrath of the Lord Almighty.
- Charity acts as a remedy and a cause for healing from diseases, pains, and ailments.
- Charity shields its giver from the Hellfire if given with a sincere intention for the sake of Allah Almighty.
- The giver earns the virtue of angels’ supplication for them, praying for compensation and blessings from Allah Almighty.
- In Paradise, there is a gate called the Gate of Charity through which the charitable and the givers in the world enter.
Also there is Hadith about Sadaqah that saies :
- Narrated Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “A man does not remove something from charity until seventy devils are expelled from it.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “ما يُخرجُ رجلٌ شيئًا منَ الصدقةِ حتى يَفُكَّ عنها لَحْيَيْ سبعينَ شيطانًا” (رواه البخاري).
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasizes the purification and magnification of charity in this .
In Hadith about Sadaqah, he states that when a person gives charity sincerely, it is not diminished in value; rather, it becomes a means of expelling seventy devils from that charity.
This underscores the spiritual purification and protection that charity provides to both the giver and the recipients, illustrating its profound impact beyond the material act of giving.
Hadith about sadaqah jariyah
“Sadaqah Jariyah” , “ongoing charity” or “continuous charity.” It refers to acts of charitable giving that continue to benefit others indefinitely or over an extended period.
It holds a special significance in Islam as it represents charitable acts whose benefits continue to accrue even after the donor has passed away. According to the Hadith narrated by Abu Huraira, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized that after a person’s death, their opportunities for earning reward cease except through three means: ongoing charity, knowledge that continues to benefit others, and righteous offspring who pray for them.
- The noble Hadith states: “When a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge that benefits others, or a righteous child who prays for them.” (Narrated by Muslim)
يقول النبيُّ ﷺ: إذا مات ابنُ آدم انقطع عملُه إلا من ثلاثٍ: صدقة جارية، أو علم يُنتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو له”
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The reward of sadaqah jariyah outlasts death
In many Hadith about Sadaqah,The concept of Sadaqah Jariyah in Islam underscores the idea that charitable acts can continue to earn rewards for the donor even after their death. This ongoing reward serves as a testament to the enduring benefits of acts of charity in Islam.
The ongoing reward and blessings:
The virtue of ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah) continues to accrue rewards and blessings for its giver until the Day of Judgment.
Top 10 Facts About Sadaqah
- Charity is a means to increase blessings in wealth, nurturing and multiplying it without decreasing anything from it.
- It is a cause for lifting calamities and removing them.
- Charity serves as a means to ward off hardships and to combat evil.
- 3.Allah shelters the giver in His shade on a day when there is no shade but His as promised in Hadith about Sadaqah mentioned before .
- 4.Charity frees a person from the attribute of stinginess and nurtures them towards generosity and giving.
- 5.It alleviates sorrows and facilitates matters.
- 6.By Allah’s grace and generosity towards His servants, charity opens every closed door.
- 7.Charity erases sins and transgressions.
- 8.It is a cause for rainfall.
- 9.It fosters social solidarity and cohesion within the community by helping those in need and strengthening bonds between individuals.
- Giving Sadaqah purifies wealth and protects against greed and attachment to material possessions.
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The Impact of Sadaqah on Our Lives
The impact of Sadaqah (charity) on our lives is profound as mentioned in many Hadith about Sadaqah:
Spiritual Growth: Sadaqah purifies the soul and increases faith by fulfilling a duty to help others.
Material and Emotional Relief: Provides immediate assistance to those in need, easing their burdens and hardships.
Personal Development: Encourages humility, gratitude, and generosity, shaping a balanced and virtuous character.
Why Is Sadaqah Important?
Hadith about SadaqahJust as Zakat is an act of worship and obedience to Allah’s commands, so too is Sadaqah. However, unlike Zakat, Sadaqah is voluntary
It is not constrained by wealth or specific recipients. Muslims have the flexibility to give at any moment and to anyone in need.
Sadaqah, or voluntary charity in Islam, holds profound significance for Muslims.
It purifies wealth and spirit, fostering generosity and selflessness.
By supporting the needy, it fulfills a moral duty and promotes social equity.
Spiritually, it strengthens faith and gratitude to Allah, shielding against hardships and ensuring eternal benefits, especially through ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah).
Following Prophet Muhammad’s teachings, charity exemplifies Islamic values of compassion, community solidarity, and responsible stewardship, enriching both individuals and society with lasting positive impact.
Who is eligible for sadaqah in islam?
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Sadaqah, a voluntary form of charity in Islam, is given to those in need.
This can include people who are financially struggling, facing a crisis, or even in need of a kind word or helping hand.
Unlike Zakat, which has specific recipients, Sadaqah can be given to anyone, regardless of their religion or background. Even animals can be recipients of Sadaqah.
It serves as a means of supporting those less fortunate and promoting social welfare in Islam, especially for those who is eligible for Sadaqah in Islam.
The Impact of Sadaqah on Society and Individual Wellbeing
- Sadaqah, or voluntary charity, plays a crucial role in both societal welfare and individual wellbeing in Islam.
- In Islam, the concept of Sadaqah holds significant spiritual and social importance and it represents voluntary acts of charity.
- generosity towards others, aiming to alleviate hardship and uplift communities.
- It helps alleviate poverty, reduces inequality, and promotes social cohesion by encouraging the more privileged members of society to share their resources with those in need.
- Moreover, Sadaqah has a profound impact on individual wellbeing.
- For the giver, it purifies wealth and strengthens faith, as it is considered an act of worship and obedience to Allah, benefiting those who is eligible for Sadaqah in Islam (such as the poor, needy, and other deserving recipients).
- It cultivates empathy, humility, and gratitude, fostering a sense of responsibility towards the welfare of others.
- For the recipients, Sadaqah provides immediate relief from financial hardships, allowing them to meet their basic needs with dignity.
- It instills hope and resilience, empowering individuals to overcome temporary setbacks and pursue opportunities for personal growth.
- Overall, Sadaqah promotes a virtuous cycle of giving and receiving within Islamic society, contributing to both material and spiritual enrichment while reinforcing bonds of kindness and solidarity among believers who is eligible for Sadaqah in Islam.
What does the Hadith say about showing off charity?
In Hadith about Sadaqah,specially ,the Hadith about showing off charity warns against insincerity in acts of giving. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) cautioned that those who display their charity to gain praise from others have nullified its reward, akin to one who draws attention to themselves with a trumpet. True charity, according to this teaching, should be done sincerely for the sake of Allah alone, without seeking recognition or praise from people. This underscores the importance of sincerity (ikhlas) in all acts of worship, including charity, for it to be accepted and rewarded by Allah.
- Narrated Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Seven types of people will be shaded by Allah in His shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His Shade…” and he mentioned the hadith, in which it says: “And a man who gives charity in secret, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand has spent.” (Agreed upon)
عن أبي هريرة قال: سبعة يُظلُّهم الله في ظلِّه يوم لا ظلَّ إلا ظلُّه .. فذكر الحديث، وفيه: ورجلٌ تصدَّق بصدقةٍ فأخفاها، حتى لا تعلم شمالُه ما تُنفق يمينه. متفقٌ عليه.
When Did Sadaqah Begin regarding Hadith about Sadaqah?
The concept of Sadaqah (charity) regarding Hadith about Sadaqah has its origins in early Islamic teachings, which began with the advent of Islam in the 7th century CE. It stems from the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Quran, emphasizing the importance of charity and helping those in need as a fundamental aspect of Islamic faith and practice.
For example :
One notable instance highlighting the concept of charity in Islam is when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) urged his companions in Mecca to support the poor and needy effectively.
He asked them to contribute towards covering the expenses of the Muslims who had migrated to Medina. This initiative was part of efforts to build a strong and interconnected community through mutual assistance and solidarity.
Muhajirun (migrants from Mecca) and the Ansar (helpers of Medina) in Islam reflects solidarity and mutual cooperation among Muslims in Medina.
What Can We Learn from Hadith about Sadaqah?
Sadaqah regarding Hadith about Sadaqah, or voluntary charity in Islam, teaches several important lessons:
1. Generosity and Compassion:
It emphasizes the virtue of generosity towards others, especially those in need, fostering compassion and empathy in the community.
2. Social Responsibility:
It highlights the individual and collective responsibility to support and uplift those who are less fortunate, thereby promoting social cohesion and solidarity.
3. Spiritual Growth:
Sadaqah regarding Hadith about Sadaqah is seen as a means of purifying one’s wealth and soul, enhancing spiritual growth and closeness to Allah.
4. Gratitude and Humility:
By giving voluntarily, Muslims learn to be grateful for their own blessings and develop humility by recognizing the needs of others.
Can sadaqah be given to family members?
Yes, Sadaqah can be given to family members, and it is highly encouraged in Islam to support one’s relatives in need through voluntary charity.
Where Does Sadaqah Come From?
Sadaqah (voluntary charity) comes from one’s own wealth or possessions. It is a charitable act where individuals give willingly and out of their own resources to help those in need or to support good causes.
Sadaqah regarding Hadith about Sadaqah can take various forms, such as giving money, food, clothing, or even offering one’s time and skills for charitable purposes. It is considered a virtuous act in Islam, promoting generosity, empathy, and social responsibility among Muslims.
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