Sadaqa, from the Arabic word الصَدَقَة, refers to the voluntary giving of money or property to those in need, purely for the sake of God. This act of charity is a cornerstone of Islamic financial ethics, which emphasizes that wealth should be acquired and spent righteously. While it is impermissible to gain wealth through illicit means, it is equally important to spend it in ways that are pleasing to God. Giving alms stands out as one of the most highly recommended expenditures in Islam. The teachings of the Qur’an and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad and his household (hadiths) highlight two distinct categories of alms: obligatory and recommended. These sacred texts also detail the specific ways in which alms should be distributed and emphasize that such giving does not diminish one’s possessions but, remarkably, leads to their increase and blessings.
Understanding Sadaqa: A Divine Transaction
At its core, Sadaqa represents an act of spending money for the sake of God. While the broader term “alms” encompasses various forms of charitable giving in Islam, “Sadaqa” is most commonly used to denote money given as a recommended, voluntary act of charity. The specific act of giving one’s wealth for divine reward is known as “taṣadduq” (التصدق), and the wealth distributed in this manner is called “Sadaqa.”
What is the difference between Zakat and Sadaqa?
It is crucial to differentiate Sadaqa from Zakat. Zakat is an obligatory annual levy on a Muslim’s wealth, fulfilling a specific religious duty under certain conditions, with prescribed amounts and designated recipients. Examples of obligatory alms include Zakat, Khums (a fifth of certain earnings), and Fitriyya (a charity given at the end of Ramadan). In contrast, Sadaqa, when used in its general sense, is a voluntary act. It has no fixed amount, nor are its recipients strictly defined, making it a flexible expression of devotion and generosity. This distinction underscores the comprehensive nature of Islamic charity, encompassing both mandatory social welfare contributions and spontaneous acts of kindness.
The Divine Receiver
The immense importance of giving alms is powerfully underscored in the Qur’an, particularly in Chapter 9, verse 104, which states:
أَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّـهَ هُوَ يَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَأْخُذُ الصَّدَقَاتِ وَأَنَّ اللَّـهَ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
“Do they not know that it is Allah who accepts the repentance of His servants and receives the charities, and that it is Allah who is the All-clement, the All-merciful?”
This verse, as explained in Tafsir-i nimuna, profoundly elevates the significance of Sadaqa. It serves as a strong encouragement for all Muslims to give alms and instructs them to treat the recipients of their charity with utmost respect, recognizing that these donations are ultimately received by God Himself. A profound hadith from Imam al-Sajjad, a revered figure in Islamic history, further illuminates this concept: “Alms goes to the hand of the person in need only after it goes to the hand of God.” This teaching emphasizes the spiritual depth of charity, portraying it as a direct offering to the Divine.
Types of Alms in Islam
Islamic teachings categorize alms into two main types based on their obligation level:
1) Obligatory Alms: These are specific forms of charity that a Muslim is religiously duty-bound to give under certain conditions.
- Zakat: An annual obligatory charity on specific types of wealth (e.g., gold, silver, crops, livestock, business goods) once they reach a minimum threshold (nisab) and have been owned for a full lunar year.
- Khums: A religious tax of one-fifth on specific categories of income or wealth, particularly prevalent in Shia Islam.
- Fitriyya: Also known as Zakat al-Fitr, this is a special charity given at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, typically a small amount of staple food or its monetary equivalent, distributed before Eid al-Fitr prayers.
2) Recommended Alms (Sadaqa): This type of alms is purely voluntary and is highly encouraged. It carries immense spiritual rewards but has no stipulated amount, nor are its beneficiaries strictly limited to specific categories beyond general need. Any amount, large or small, given to any person in need for the sake of God, falls under this category.
Features and Conditions
As implied by hadiths and the Qur’an, certain conditions need to be met in order for the alms to be valid:
- It should be from one’s legitimate possessions and property.
- Alms had better be secret.
- It should not be accompanied by reproaching the person who is given the alms.
- It should be out of pure intentions for God.
- It should be from the possessions that one likes (rather than the ones that one wants to get rid of).
- The person who gives alms should never take him or herself to be a real owner; rather they should take themselves to be intermediaries between God and His people.
Who are the eligible recipients of Sadaqa?
The Quran specifies eight categories of people who are eligible to receive alms, particularly obligatory alms like Zakat, but these categories also serve as guidance for voluntary Sadaqa:
- The Poor people (Fuqara): Those who possess very little or nothing at all, struggling to meet their basic needs.
- The Needy people (Masakin): Those who are in difficult circumstances and have insufficient means to sustain themselves comfortaly.
- Those Employed to Collect Zakat: Individuals appointed by the Islamic authority to manage and distribute Zakat funds.
- Those Whose Hearts Have Been (Recently) Reconciled to Islam (al-mu’allafa qulubuhum): New converts or those whose support is desired for the cause of Islam.
- Emancipation of Slaves: Funds used to free people from bondage. While slavery is largely abolished, this category can extend to freeing individuals from oppressive debts or circumstances.
- Those in Debt: Individuals burdened by debt, provided they incurred the debt for a permissible reason and are genuinely unable to repay it.
- In the Cause of Allah: Funds dedicated to promoting Islam, defending its values, or supporting its institutions and projects that benefit the Muslim community broadly.
- The Wayfarer (Ibn al-Sabil): Travelers who find themselves stranded or without sufficient funds to return to their homes, even if they are wealthy in their own lands.
Practical Ways to Give Sadaqa
How to pay Sadaqa:
God has outlined both forbidden and praised methods of giving alms. Understanding these guidelines helps Muslims ensure their acts of charity are spiritually rewarding.
Forbidden Practices:
- Giving out of pretentiousness: Any act of charity performed solely to gain praise, recognition, or admiration from people, rather than for God’s pleasure, renders the alms invalid and devoid of divine reward.
- Giving followed by reproach: If one gives alms and then reminds the recipient of their generosity, boasts about it, or treats them with contempt, the reward for that charity is lost. This is because such actions hurt the dignity of the recipient and betray the pure intention required for sincere charity.
These two sorts of alms are invalid because they are not given for the sake of God, or if they were given for His sake, one’s intention failed to remain purely for God.
Praised Ways of Giving:
On the other hand, there are two ways of giving alms that are praised and adored by God:
- Secret Alms: “If you conceal the alms, that is best for you,” states the Qur’an (2:271). Giving alms secretly is highly virtuous for several reasons: it safeguards the giver from pretentiousness, ensures the purity of intention, and protects the recipient’s dignity from potential humiliation or embarrassment. This method emphasizes the direct connection between the giver and God.
If you conceal the alms, that is best for you. ”
the Qur’an 2:271
- Disclosed Alms: While secret giving is preferred, openly giving alms also holds merit. This is praised because it serves as a public encouragement for others to engage in charitable acts, fostering a culture of generosity within the community. It also brings relief and hope to the poor and needy, as they witness compassion and support among their fellow community members, helping to alleviate despair.
You can pay your alms(sadaqa) anonymously from here.
Determining the Amount of Sadaqa
How much Sadaqa should I give? The amount of recommended Sadaqa is not fixed, allowing for flexibility based on individual financial ability. However, Islamic teachings emphasize moderation. One should not be excessively stingy, but also should not give so much that it leads to financial hardship for oneself or one’s dependents. The minimal amount of alms depends on one’s capacity. Remarkably, Islamic traditions teach that even the smallest act of charity is recognized by God; some hadiths indicate that even a single cup of water given with sincerity can count as Sadaqa. The emphasis is on consistency and pure intention, rather than the sheer volume of the donation.
Is it permissible to give Sadaqa online?
In modern times, the methods of giving Sadaqa have expanded. Many Islamic charities and organizations offer online platforms where individuals can securely donate. This includes direct bank transfers, credit card payments, and even emerging options like cryptocurrency donations through verified Islamic charitable institutions. These modern methods allow for efficient and often anonymous giving, aligning with the principles of both secret and disclosed alms, depending on the platform’s features and the donor’s choice.
What is the best way to give Sadaqa?
The best way to give Sadaqa combines pure intention with methods that maximize benefit for the recipient while preserving their dignity. This often means giving secretly, directly to those in need, or through trusted organizations that ensure funds reach the intended beneficiaries efficiently and respectfully.
The Abundant Blessings of Sadaqa
The virtues and blessings associated with giving Sadaqa are extensively highlighted in numerous hadiths, promising both worldly and otherworldly rewards:
- Protection from Calamities and Terrible Death:
Imam al-Baqir, a revered Imam, stated: “Sadaqa protects one from 70 sorts of catastrophes as well as terrible death. For a person who gives alms will never undergo a terrible death.” This highlights the protective power of charity against unforeseen misfortunes.
- Longevity:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Sadaqa and family ties (silat al-rahim) liven up cities and bring longevity.” This emphasizes the role of charity in fostering healthy communities and extending life.
- Physical Healing:
According to a hadith, it is recommended to “Heal your sick relatives by giving sadaqa.” Another tradition specifically suggests that a sick person should give Sadaqa with their own hand, highlighting its potential for spiritual and physical healing.
- Removing poverty:
according to a hadith from Imam al-Baqir (a), Beneficence and sadaqa remove poverty.
Spiritual Elevation and Divine Rewards:
What are the spiritual rewards for giving Sadaqa? The Qur’an describes giving alms for God’s sake as a highly beneficial transaction with the Divine. It guarantees numerous divine rewards, protecting individuals from the anxieties of the Day of Judgment and shielding them from divine chastisement.
- Removing bad luck: The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) advised: “Whenever you go through a night to the morning, give an alms to remove the bad lucks of that day from you, and whenever you go through a day to the night, give an alms to remove the bad luck of that night from you.” This emphasizes Sadaqa as a means of seeking divine protection and averting misfortunes on a daily basis.
- Helping to cross the Sirat Bridge: Imam al-Sadiq, another esteemed Imam, said: “I sought the way to cross the Sirat Bridge and I found it in alms.” The Sirat Bridge is a path that Muslims believe they must cross on the Day of Judgment to reach Paradise. Sadaqa is thus considered a light and a helper on this perilous journey.
- A guarantee for the Heaven: Imam ‘Ali, a central figure in Islam, stated: “I guarantee the Heaven for six classes of people: a man who puts aside some alms but he dies; this man goes to the Heaven.” This powerful statement underscores Sadaqa as a direct path to Paradise, especially for those who intend to give but are taken by death before they can. Other categories guaranteed paradise include those who die while visiting a patient, going to jihad, performing Hajj rituals, attending Friday prayers, or going to a funeral.
- The other classes are: a person who visits a patient, one who goes to jihad, a person who practices hajj rituals, a person who goes to the Friday Prayer, and a person who goes to a funeral. If they die and never return home, then they will be guaranteed to go to the Heaven.
Sadaqa, therefore, is not merely a financial transaction but a profound act of worship, a purification of wealth, and a means of fostering spiritual growth and societal well-being. It embodies compassion, generosity, and an unwavering belief in divine recompense, making it one of the most cherished practices in Islam.
Give Sadaqah Online with Cryptocurrency
