Sadaqah (the plural of Sadaq) is one of the names for voluntary charity. It includes all acts of giving which do not take the form of a compulsory tax. Sadaqah is not given to mosques or temples but rather directly to those in need. Sadaqat donation is ideally given to friends and family, neighbors and relatives, fellow travelers on the road, debtors and creditors, retired persons, and poor craftsmen such as rug-weavers, shoemakers, etc., who cannot find enough work. Sadaqs can also be distributed by Zakat – almsgiving with a fixed percentage set aside for Sadaqah.”
Sadaqah can also be given to the poor who do not qualify for Zakat. Sadaqah is one of the best deeds a Muslim can perform, and it brings great reward in this life and the next. Sadaqah is a charity that purifies wealth, eliminates miserliness, liberates slaves, averts evil from oneself, fosters love among people, and maintains social ties. Ibn` Abbas has narrated that Sadaqah breaks all curses except that of an enemy.
Sadaqah is a very good Sajdah, Sadaqah removes loneliness, and Sadaqah brings happiness. Sadaqahs are the excellent Sajdahs after Salat.”
The Prophet (may God bless him and grant him peace) said: ‘The best Sadaqa is that which gives pleasure to the one who gives it; he takes notice of it and is not compelled to give it.’ [Ibn Maja]According to Imam Nawawi, Sadaqah refers here to voluntary charity (i.e., done from sincere motives).
Anas bin Malik reported, “Allah’s Messenger was neither excessively miserly nor was his hand ever outstretched without paying something in charity.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari] Sadaqah is one of the greatest means by which Muslims remembered Allah. Sadaqah is known to purge the soul and benefit both givers and receivers. Sadaqs keep them out of hellfire and help them enter Jannah.”
It has been reported in a Hadith that Sadaqah came down from Heavens and entered into the hearts of men, then they tried to return it, but Sadaqah said: “I have not returned after my having entered unto you; so go with me wherever you want.” Sadaqah is also a cause for intercession on the Day of Judgment. It will also provide food for those who eat, such as birds, beasts, and human beings.
Sadaqah enables the body of man to breathe in air, Sadaqah keeps one alive by providing food, and Sadaqah is also a protector for all these things which allows life.” Sahaabiyaat (the following are female Sahaabiyas) narrated that Sadaqah causes a woman’s uterus to produce new offspring. Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Messenger said: “Allah will bring His creation back to life after their death by causing them to breathe again, as He wants it from His creatures.” [Sahih Muslim]
SADAQAH BENEFITS IN THE AFTERLIFE
Sadaqat-l-Mahdiyyah (giving alms which Allah accepts) means performing some forms of good deeds with the intention that they may be rewarded by Allah alone. The reward earned in this manner does not go to any other person, living or dead. Some commentators have said that it refers chiefly to sadaqa-e-fitr and Sadaqa-e-saying.
SADAQAH BENEFITS IN THIS LIFE “Sadaqatun a Nasiya,” which means giving charity to ward off calamities, and Sadaqat-ul-Talab, which pays the debt on behalf of someone else. Prophet said, “There are two mercies that have been placed between your eyes: to give alms and to forgive.”
As a social obligation, the best of you are those who give Sadaqah regularly. Nor do they resent parting with any of their possessions.
SADAQAH BENEFITS ARE ENDLESS
The Prophet said, “Whoever gives a loan to Allah, the Exalted and Mighty will be given a reward for it. Then he said, ‘Some people wad asked about the tip of giving in charity. Therefore, whoever accommodates someone in need or entrusts his money to somebody so that he can provide it as a loan to Allah, the Exalted and Mighty, will be given two rewards for that.
The reward of a good deed is multiplied ten times, but the sinner will get no compensation for his good deeds after that. So the Prophet (saw) said: “A Muslim never becomes sick or suffers any harm, but he forgives those who have done him wrong; even when he is lying in bed between life and death” (Al-Bukhari).
