Sadaqah (Voluntary Charity)

Establish Daily Sadaqah during Ramadan

It is especially beneficial to give sadaqah during the month of Ramadan, alhamdulillah. Our beloved Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) taught us:

“He who fulfills an obligatory duty in it (Ramadan) will be like one who fulfills 70 obligatory duties in another month. It is the month of sharing with others.” (Mishkat al-Masabih Hadith 1965)

Allah increases the blessings for every act of worship during Ramadan by 70-fold. We already know from Suratu-l-Baqara, ayah 261, that Allah multiplies the blessings within the charity we give by 700-fold. Therefore, the blessings for sadaqah given during Ramadan are increased by 49,000-fold! 

Our beloved guide Sidi always encouraged us to give as much sadaqah as possible. Make the most of this holy time and establish a daily donation to support SSC’s Mission or SSC’s Beloveds in Need program. Both of these causes help others and support our community, which in turn supports the world, alhamdulillahi rabbi-l-`alamin.

What is Sadaqah?

Sadaqah is any charity you give above and beyond obligatory charity (zakat al-mal (also known as simply “zakah”). Donating to a good cause is a common way to give sadaqah, but there are many other ways to give sadaqah. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) taught us that:

“There are 360 joints and each of them owes sadaqah every single day. Every good word is sadaqah. A man’s helping his brother is sadaqah. A drink of water which he gives is sadaqah. Removing something harmful from the road is sadaqah.” (Sahih al-Adab Al-Mufrad 422)

A hadith containing some additional examples of sadaqah:

“There is a (compulsory) sadaqah to be given for every joint of the human body every day the sun rises. To judge justly between two persons is regarded as sadaqah, and to help a man concerning his riding animal by helping him to ride it or by lifting his luggage on to it, is also regarded as sadaqah, and (saying) a good word is also sadaqah, and every step taken on one’s way to offer the compulsory prayer (in the mosque) is also sadaqah and to remove a harmful thing from the road is also sadaqah.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 2989)

Sadaqah can also include:

• Giving money, food, shelter, or any material thing to someone in need
• Making du’a (personal prayers) for people
• Visiting and caring for those who are ill
• Shielding someone from something harmful
• Smiling at someone
• Feeding and being kind to animals
• Giving someone who is lost directions
• Supporting someone emotionally

Sadaqah Jariyah

There is a special type of sadaqah which Sidi encouraged us to give as much as possible: Sadaqah Jariyah. Sadaqah Jariyah is charity which benefits the recipient in an ongoing way, even after the giver has passed away. Some examples of Sadaqah Jariyah include:

• Teaching someone a valuable skill
• Imparting valuable knowledge to someone
• Contributing to the building of a building which benefits others, such as a mosque, hospital, or school
• Planting a tree
• Building a home for others
• Crafting a shelter for animals
• Contributing to a useful invention for humanity

Benefits of Giving Sadaqah

A few of the most important benefits of giving sadaqah are:

1. Sadaqah cleanses us, leading to spiritual transformation.
2. Through this spiritual transformation we become vessels of Allah’s Mercy for the world.
3. We create the world we wish to live in–a world filled with love, cooperation, peace, and unity.

When we give charity, it purifies and beautifies our hearts as part of the spiritual transformation. Allah forgives our sins as a reward for our unselfishness, removing veils of darkness in the soul and increasing the Light shining out to the world. This is an immense blessing. However, we don’t give charity solely because it benefits us–we give it because it creates a world that is beautiful, where we are all in love with one another, where we support each other, and where we embody and live the Divine Truth that in the deepest way we have all been made from one soul (Qur’an 7:189). To create the world we wish to live in we help one another as best as we can.

The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and the early leaders of Islam (radiyallahu `anhum) would not go to sleep at night if they knew someone in their region was hungry or unsafe. They cared for every person the same, regardless of race or social class. When they looked at anyone, they saw Allah. Sidi `Umar even made sure all of the animals in his region were safe and cared for before the end of each day, subhanallah.

Other benefits to giving sadaqah include:

1. Purification, beautification, and taqwa

Giving sadaqah purifies our wealth, and by extension everything we purchase with that wealth. Along with purifying our bodies, hearts, and souls, this leads to greater taqwa (awareness of Allah in every moment). Our beloved Prophet told us:

“Charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3973)

2. Protection from calamities

Sadaqah protects and shields us from harm, illness, and accidents, and if a calamity befalls us our charity is a means through which Allah offers us his guidance, strength, and patience with the trial. Allah tells us in His Qur’an,

“Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve” (Suratu-l-Baqarah 2:261-262).

3. Stronger communities

Offering sadaqah to our brothers and sisters in humanity builds a stronger local and world community. The bonds of gratitude and love are created and strengthened when we help another in need. Giving sadaqah increases the sense that we are all in this life together, supporting each other. We are all responsible for doing our part to create a beautiful and just world.

A sister once mentioned a time when she was sick with cancer and undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. A sister she did not know (they had mutual friends) came to her house and cooked her a meal, folded and put away her laundry, and cleaned her kitchen. Masha’allah, the love this created in the heart of the ill sister was immense and the gratitude she felt created a bond between her and the sister who helped her. This is a small example of how helping each other strengthens community and connection.

4. Increased joy, fulfillment, and peace

Studies show that charitable acts can promote happiness and and your connection with your purpose as a human being. Knowing that you are helping another can create a deep sense of fulfillment and peace. It can also widen your perspective of life beyond your own needs, to become more conscious of the needs of others and the needs of the world as a whole. This consciousness leads to even more good deeds as we all work to support life. Allah tell us in His Book:

“Believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), and spend of that whereof He has made you trustees. And such of you as believe and spend (in Allah’s way), theirs will be a great reward” (57:7)

5. Shade on the day when there will be no shade

Our beloved Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) taught us that charity does not decrease wealth (Sahih Muslim 2588). So many of us are brought up to fear giving, thinking it will reduce what we have for ourselves and our families. This is simply not true. On the contrary, the charity you give in secret can be the reason Allah gives you shad on the day when there will be no shade (the Day of Resurrection). Our beloved Prophet told us:

“There are seven whom Allah will shade with His shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His: a man who gives charity and conceals it to the extent that his left hand does not know what his right hand is giving.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1423)

6. Blessings and financial gain

When we give sadaqah, Allah increases our wealth and brings barakah (blessings) into our lives. Those who give generously are often rewarded with unexpected financial gains, success in their endeavours, and an overall sense of prosperity. Allah reveals in His Qur’an that,

“The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows 7 ears, and each ear has a 100 grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.” (2:261)

Best Times to Give Sadaqah

There are times in our lives when Allah urges us to give sadaqah. Our beloved Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) taught us:

“A man came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, which charity brings the greatest reward?’ He said, ‘Charity that you give when you are healthy and reluctant to give, fearing poverty and hoping to become wealthy, and you do not delay it until the soul reaches the throat.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1419)

Also consider this hadith, which add dimension to our giving from the heart:

“The most beloved deed to Allah is that which brings joy to a Muslim, or relieves him/her of suffering, pays off his or her debts, or dispels his or her hunger.” (Sahih at-Tabarani in Al-Kabir, 13646)

To break these hadith down, the best times to give sadaqah are when:

1. We are healthy,
2. We are reluctant to give charity because we feel attached to our wealth,
3. We fear poverty and hope to become wealthy,
4. We offer it with sufficient time before the moment of death (when the soul reaches the throat),
5. We offer it in secret,
6. The recipient’s need is great and your help will bring great joy and relief.

There are also certain times of the year, such as during Ramadan and the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah, that it is particularly recommended to give sadaqah. During those times Allah is significantly increasing the blessings He rewards for every act of worship, so it makes sense to give additional sadaqah during those times, insha’allah.

Other Types of Charity

The obligatory charity we offer on an annual basis is called zakat al-mal (or simply “zakah”). Zakah is also usually given during Ramadan, but it can be given at any time of the year. Learn more about zakah here. We also offer a small donation towards the end of Ramadan known as zakat al-fitr. Zakat al-fitr enables everyone to purchase food and clothing for `Eid al-Fitr, insha’allah. Lastly, if you miss obligatory fasting days during Ramadan and cannot make them up by fasting alternative days, you can make a small donation. This type of charity is known as fidya.