What is Sadaqah?

Taha Jutt

What is Sadaqah?

Sadaqah means a good deed done for someone else’s benefit out of kindness, generosity, love, compassion, or faith. Sadaqa can be as simple as doing a good deed, lending a hand, giving someone a smile, pointing someone in the right direction, or stopping someone from doing something bad. One must give without expecting to get anything back.

Two Types Of Sadaqah


Sadaqah

Sadaqa is the act of giving money or doing something else that helps someone else, like an animal. Some simple forms of Sadaqa are:

  • Volunteering at an NGO
  • Helping someone find their way
  • Sharing what you know about Allah (Dhikr)
  • Taking care of widows and children without parents

Sadaqah Jariyah

Sadaqa Jariyah is a good deed that will pay off in the long run.
Even after a person dies, Allah (SWT) will reward them for their Sadaqah Jariyah acts.
As long as your good deed helps a person, an animal, or the environment, you will get the appropriate reward.

  • Giving money to schools and building a well
  • Planting a tree
  • Putting up hospitals, schools, and homes for orphans
  • Establishing farms

Benefits of Sadaqah

sadaqah

Muslims who give Sadaqa should do so for a variety of reasons, not just because Allah (SWT) will reward them greatly on the Day of Judgment for doing so. Since many people would perish if charitable deeds weren’t performed, sadaqah should be offered without expecting anything in return.

Even if you only give “half a date” [Bukhari], if you give it with a genuine intention, it will be enough to forgive your sins and keep you from the Fire.

What Distinguishes The Two: Zakat And Sadaqah?

Muslims perform Sadaqa and Zakat as forms of prayer.
The two are distinctive in their own ways.

  • Sadaqah is never necessary, but Zakat is only ever required once a year.
  • In contrast to Sadaqa, which has no such asset restrictions, Zakat is paid on a specific set of assets, including gold, silver, money, business assets, agricultural production, livestock, and treasure troves.
  • Liabilities can be subtracted from the Zakat calculation in some cases, but not from the Sadaqah calculation.
  • Zakat was collected and disbursed by the Islamic government, whereas Sadaqa is always a voluntary act of kindness.

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