Sadaqah — Voluntary Charity

Sadaqah encompasses every act of voluntary charity and kindness in Islam. While zakat is the obligatory minimum, sadaqah has no upper limit and carries immense reward. The word derives from "sidq" (truthfulness), indicating that voluntary giving is a sign of sincere faith. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Sadaqah extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire" (Sunan al-Tirmidhi). Allah promises: "Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He will multiply it for him many times over?" (Quran 2:245).

Types of Sadaqah

Sadaqah is not limited to monetary giving. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Every act of goodness is sadaqah" (Sahih al-Bukhari). A smile, a kind word, removing a harmful object from the road, helping someone carry their belongings, guiding a lost person, visiting the sick, reconciling between people, and even the food one puts in the mouth of one's spouse are all forms of sadaqah. The Prophet said: "Every Muslim must give charity." They asked: "What if he cannot find anything to give?" He said: "Let him work with his hands to benefit himself and give charity." They asked: "What if he cannot?" He said: "Let him help the one in desperate need." They asked: "What if he cannot?" He said: "Let him enjoin good." They asked: "What if he cannot?" He said: "Let him refrain from evil, for that is charity for him" (Sahih al-Bukhari).

Sadaqah Jariyah (Ongoing Charity)

Sadaqah jariyah is a form of continuous charity whose reward continues after the giver's death. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When a person dies, their deeds end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them" (Sahih Muslim). Examples include building a mosque, digging a well, planting a tree, funding an orphanage, endowing a school, publishing beneficial knowledge, and building infrastructure that serves the community. The concept of waqf (Islamic endowment) is the institutional form of sadaqah jariyah.

Etiquettes of Giving

Islam sets guidelines for giving that maximize spiritual benefit. Giving should be done sincerely for Allah's sake, not for recognition: "If you disclose your charitable expenditures, they are good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you" (Quran 2:271). The giver should not follow their charity with reminders or hurtful words: "O you who believe, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury" (Quran 2:264). One should give from what they love: "Never will you attain righteousness until you spend from that which you love" (Quran 3:92). The best charity is that given in secret, especially when it reaches those truly in need.

The Reward of Sadaqah

The rewards of sadaqah are vast and varied. It purifies wealth, protects from calamity, heals the sick, provides shade on the Day of Judgment, and is multiplied manifold by Allah. The Prophet said: "Charity does not decrease wealth" (Sahih Muslim), meaning that what is given is replaced and more by Allah's blessing. He also said: "Save yourselves from the Hellfire even if it is with half a date" (Sahih al-Bukhari), showing that no amount of charity is too small. The Prophet was the most generous of people, and his generosity increased during Ramadan when Jibril would review the Quran with him (Sahih al-Bukhari).