Sadaqah comes from the Arabic word ‘Sidq’ (sincerity).
It is a sign of sincerity of faith on the part of the person who gives it and, therefore, is associated with how profound the person is regarding their Deen.
Charity is entrenched in the fundamentals of Islam.
One classic example of why charity should be extremely emphasized is the fact that it is one of the five pillars of Islam, Zakah.
Zakah stands for growth, blessing, and purification.
Although Zakah is different from Sadaqah, they share the same concept of giving alms and helping our less fortunate brothers and sisters.
Innumerable Qur’anic verses and Saheeh hadeeth highlight the significance of Sadaqah.
“O, you who believe! Spend of that with which We have provided for you before a Day comes when there will be no bargaining, nor friendship, nor intercession. And it is the disbelievers who are the Zaalimoon (wrongdoers).”
[Al Qur’an 2:254]
It was narrated by Abu Hurayrah (R.A) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Allah ﷻ said, ‘Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.’”
[Al-Bukhari 5352]
Giving charity increases our sustenance, humbles our minds, and triggers genuine care for the poor and needy. It also establishes within us the fact that everything we own belongs to Allah ﷻ; therefore, it should be rightfully spent on his other beloved humans.
Abu Dharr (R.A) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity, commanding good and forbidding evil is charity, giving directions to a man lost in the land is charity for you. Your seeing for a man with bad sight is a charity for you; your removal of a rock, a thorn, or a bone from the road is charity for you. Your pouring what remains from your bucket into the bucket of your brother is charity for you.”
[Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1956, Book 27, Hadith 62]
From this hadeeth, we come to know that charity is not limited to wealth, food, and other materials of need. Rather, charity also includes being kind, helpful, cheerful, and loving to our brothers and sisters in Deen.
Written by: Reshma and Yasmeen
Edited by: The Editorial Team
© The Islamic Reflections Blog
References:
https://islamqa.info/en/answers/36783/ahaadeeth-about-the-virtue-of-sadaqah-charity
https://islamqa.info/en/answers/9449/the-difference-between-zakaah-and-sadaqah