Whoever reflects upon the true essence of the laws of Islam, the magnificent religion, finds it filled with profound meanings that transcend their apparent beauty. Among these laws is the act of charity (Sadaqah), a worship rich in grace and elevated to the highest degrees of spirituality. This article offers a brief overview of its essence, rulings, virtues, and etiquettes.

 Definition and Essence of Sadaqah

The term Sadaqah refers to what is offered to others in the form of wealth, food, or clothing with the intention of drawing closer to Allah, rather than as a mere act of generosity.

The essence of Sadaqah is a testament to a believer’s sincerity in faith. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Charity is a proof [of faith].” (Sahih Muslim, 223)

Sadaqah encompasses all acts of obedience in lawful righteous deeds. Every act of goodness is a proof of faith, as the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Has Allah not prescribed for you (a course) by following which you can (also) do sadaqa? In every declaration of the glorification of Allah (i. e. saying Subhan Allah) there is a Sadaqa, and every Takbir (i. e. saying Allah-O-Akbar) is a sadaqa, and every praise of His (saying al-Hamdu Lillah) is a Sadaqa and every declaration that He is One (La illha ill-Allah) is a sadaqa, and enjoining of good is a sadaqa, and forbidding of that which is evil is a Sadaqa, and in man's sexual Intercourse (with his wife, ) there is a Sadaqa.” (Sahih Muslim, 1006) And he (ﷺ) also said: “Administering of justice between two men is also a Sadaqa. And assisting a man to ride upon his beast, or helping him load his luggage upon it, is a Sadaqa; and a good word is a Sadaqa; and every step that you take towards prayer is a Sadaqa, and removing of harmful things from the pathway is a Sadaqa.” (Sahih Muslim, 1009)

The Ruling of Sadaqah

Sadaqah can be obligatory as in Allah’s saying, “Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase.” (At-Tawbah: 103) This is the Zakāh which holds a monumental place in Islam, often even mentioned alongside the tawḥīd (oneness of Allah) and prayer, as Allah says, “Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give zakah will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.” (Al-Baqarah: 277) There is no doubt it’s the most beloved act to Allah, as mentioned in the Qudsi Hadith: “And the most beloved thing with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, 6502)

Sadaqah can also be voluntarily, which carries numerous virtues and promises immense rewards.

The Virtues and Rewards of Sadaqah

The rewards of Sadaqah are immense and emphasized in the Quran and Sunnah, as Allah nurtures and increases it. Allah says, “Allah destroys interest and gives increase for charities. And Allah does not like every sinning disbeliever.” (Al-Baqarah: 276)
He also says, “The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.” (Al-Baqarah: 261)

Those who give Sadaqah their reward is entrusted to Allah: “Those who spend their wealth [in Allah 's way] by night and by day, secretly and publicly - they will have their reward with their Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.” (Al-Baqarah: 274)

It is beyond one's ability to encompass all that has been mentioned regarding the virtues of Sadaqah and its immense rewards in a single collection, let alone a brief article, due to the abundance of what has been narrated about it. It’s a means to enter Paradise (Sahih Muslim, 2630), protection from the heat of the Day of Judgment (Sahih Bukhari, 6539; Sahih Muslim, 1016), blessings in wealth and compensation with good (Sahih Muslim, 1010, 2588), expiation of sins (Sahih Bukhari, 3586; Sahih Muslim, 144), and if in secret, it extinguishes Allah’s wrath (Sahih Al-Jami’, 3766)

 Lasting and Continuous Charity

The enduring nature of the rewards for acts of obedience until the Day of Resurrection is well-established, as Allah rewards all good deeds on that Day. However, some forms of Sadaqah remain even during a person's lifetime and may continue to increase in reward after their death, until they meet their Lord. This is evidenced by the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “When a son of Adam (i.e. any human being) dies his deeds are discontinued, with three exceptions: Sadaqah, whose benefit is continuous; or knowledge from which benefit continues to be reaped, or a righteous child who supplicates for him.” (Sahih Muslim, 1631) One of the beautiful aspects of this hadith is the clear mention of the lasting nature of ongoing Sadaqah, in contrast to the less obvious but equally enduring benefits of beneficial knowledge and the prayers of a righteous child. Upon reflection, it becomes apparent that the broader meaning of Sadaqah encompasses the sharing of knowledge and supplication. If these persist—such as teaching beneficial knowledge to Muslims, authoring works, or the ongoing life and prayers of a child for their parent—they too fall under the category of ongoing Sadaqah. The reality is that all three are forms of Sadaqah. However, the term “ongoing Sadaqah” is explicitly mentioned in the hadith in its specific sense, referring to the giving of wealth and similar acts. 

Etiquettes of Sadaqah

Since Sadaqah is proof of one’s faith, actions that undermine this faith, such as show-off or harm, nullify Sadaqa as well. These issues manifest in reminding others of one’s favors (Al-Mann) and harm, which can be caused through speech or actions.

Allah stipulated that Sadaqah shouldn’t contain any Mann and harm to be accepted. Allah says, “Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and then do not follow up what they have spent with reminders [of it] or [other] injury will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. Kind speech and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury. And Allah is Free of need and Forbearing.” (Al-Baqarah: 262–263) Allah compares acts nullified by such behaviors to rain washing away the soil on a smooth rock, leaving it barren: “O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. His example is like that of a [large] smooth stone upon which is dust and is hit by a downpour that leaves it bare. They are unable [to keep] anything of what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.” (Al-Baqarah: 264)

Since Sadaqah is a testament to faith, the two negative qualities of Al-Mann and harm can occur to an extent that entirely nullifies faith, as evidenced for in the conclusion of the ayah where Allah says, “And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.” These qualities can also manifest to a lesser degree, such as minor riya’ (showing off), which invalidates the Sadaqah and nullifies its reward without completely negating faith—though it warrants punishment. Evidence for this is found in the hadith that mentions the first people to be cast into Hellfire: “[Another] will be a man whom Allah had made rich and to whom He had given all kinds of wealth. He will be brought and Allah will make known to him His favours and he will recognize them. [The Almighty] will say: And what did you do about them? He will say: I left no path [untrodden] in which You like money to be spent without spending in it for Your sake. He will say: You have lied - you did but do so that it might be said [of you]: He is open-handed. And so it was said. Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire.” (Sahih Muslim, 1905).

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