Importance Of Sadaqah

Kafayat Oyewo-Oyelere

14/03/2025

Sadaqah Means Voluntary acts of Charity in Islam. It means “Righteous,” coined from the Arabic word “Sidq”(Truthfulness).

Sadaqah is different from Zakat. While Zakat is compulsory, Sadaqah is Voluntary. Kindness to others, generosity, and giving are essential values in Islam.

Two types of sadaqah

• Sadaqah
• Sadaqatun Jaariya

Sadaqah is whatever you give out of free will. E.g, watering plants, providing financial support for a family in need, caring for animals, removing harmful objects from a path, smiling at others, and volunteering time to help elderly or disabled people. Sadaqatun jaariyah is a voluntary act whose rewards continue even after the donor’s death. E.g., teaching the Qur’an, building a mosque, planting a tree, and sinking a borehole/well for a community.

Roles of Sadaqah
Sadaqah upholds social cohesion and helps to alleviate Global social and economic issues like poverty, hunger, unemployment, and other issues affecting individuals and communities.
Q4:114 “There is no good in most of their secret counsels except who enjoins charity and goodness or reconciliation between people.”

Benefits Of Giving Sadaqah

• There shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

Q2:274 “Those who spend their property night and by day, secretly and openly, shall have their rewards from their Lord and shall have no fear nor grieve.

• Sadaqah extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire: Allah is always merciful to humans whenever they give to others

A prostitute was said to be passing by a well when she saw a dog panting and about to die of thirst. She took off her shoe, tied it to her headscarf, and lowered the shoe into the well to draw out some water for the dog. That singular act earned her forgiveness from Allah.

• Protection from hellfire: The prophet (SAW) said, “Save yourself from hellfire even by giving half a date fruit in charity.”

• Sadaqah provides shade on judgement day:

“The believer’s shade on the day of judgement will be their charity.”

” He who gives respite to someone who is in straitened circumstances or grants him emission, Allah will shelter him in the shades of His throne on the day of resurrection when there will be no shades.

• Repel Calamities:

An act of charity given openly prevents seventy types of mishaps.

Important Facts to Note While Giving Sadaqah

• It must be given with utmost sincerity and fear of Allah.
• Must be given regularly
• Give what you can afford
• Give those who need it or a reputable/trustworthy organization.
• If possible, give in secret.
  
  

Q2:264 “Do not make your charity worthless by reproach and injury like him who spends his property to be seen of men and does not believe in Allah and the last day…”