Sadaqah is a voluntary form of charity that Muslims should strive to perform. It’s a highly encouraged act of worship that should be done as regularly as possible to help those in need with the basic necessities so that they can survive. Even though Sadaqah is voluntary, giving it as regularly as possible can please Allah (SWT) and earn Muslims many rewards when carried out with the right intention. No matter how small the act is, believers can not only help others, but also please Allah (SWT) through regular giving.
Giving Sadaqah doesn’t even have to be a donation. There are many ways to give this charity, from small acts of kindness through to large charitable donations. As long as these acts are done regularly, as Allah (SWT) likes these acts the most, then Muslims can gain rewards. As well as this, they can even enter Baab As-Sadaqah, the Gate of Charity, to enter Jannah.
There is no specific time when Muslims can give Sadaqah, and it should be done regularly throughout the year. However, the holy month of Ramadan opens up opportunities to earn increased reward through giving. This month is a time to grow spiritually, focusing on all acts of worship and fasting to connect closer to Allah (SWT). Due to this, it’s the perfect time to give voluntary charity throughout the month, especially during the last ten days, when Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power) falls and rewards are multiplied to be better than a thousand months. But why is giving Sadaqah in Ramadan important? Explore the many benefits of Sadaqah in Ramadan in our guide to understand the impact this giving can make.
Types of Sadaqah
Sadaqah isn’t just a donation. It can be given in many different forms, meaning that it doesn’t solely rely on a financial contribution to charity. These types can be a monetary donation to a charitable organisation, like Orphans in Need, acts of kindness, like speaking kindly and helping others in the community, and Sadaqah Jariyah, which is an ongoing charity. Doing any of these throughout the year can bring rewards, while also helping to make someone’s day brighter or even save their lives.
Sadaqah Jariyah is particularly powerful because it’s one act of kindness that provides ongoing benefits, as the kindness continues to help people in need over generations. This means doing this type of Sadaqah offers Muslims immense rewards every time a person in need benefits from their kindness, even after they’ve passed!
Those Who Used to Give in Charity
Aisha bint Abu Bakr, the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) wife, was a woman who loved to give to charity, despite her own struggles. Her sister, Asma, was also generous in giving. While Aisha would collect things to give to charity in one go, Asma would give things constantly without collecting in bulk. Both of their generosity should be awed at, and as Muslims, we should take a lesson from this and try to do the same as they did.
Another lesson about charity and Sadaqah can be taken from the Muhajiroun and the Ansar. The Muhajiroun followed the Prophet (PBUH) from Makkah to Madinah, where the Ansar, the helpers, shared all they had as if the Muhajiroun were their family. They shared their food, water, clothes and belongings with them, and this immense act of Sadaqah is important for us to be aware of. This story also adheres to the hadith: “You will not believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself.”
What Are the Benefits of Sadaqah?
There are many benefits of giving Sadaqah in Islam. It’s a way of showing gratitude for the blessings we have been given by Allah (SWT) and a way to help those who are struggling around the world by sharing these blessings with them. This could be as simple as helping a neighbour or someone you’ve never met before.
The benefits of Sadaqah go beyond just helping those in need with the vital assistance they need, such as emergency aid, food supplies, medical support and clean water. It can also create numerous benefits for the giver.
Provides Many Rewards
Giving Sadaqah regularly earns Muslims rewards in this life and the next. Although this type of charity is done purely to help others and expect nothing in return, Allah (SWT) rewards those who give regularly because it pleases Him. Islam focuses on charity and being generous to others, so it’s an act that is highly encouraged and rewarded. This is shown in a hadith that says:
“Charity does not decrease wealth, no one forgives another except that Allah increases his honor, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that Allah raises his status.”
[Sahih Muslim 2588]
Purifies the Heart and Eradicates Sins
Giving Sadaqah with the right intentions of helping others can purify a Muslim’s heart and eradicate their sins. Even by following the values of Islam throughout life, we can make mistakes and carry out sins. By giving Sadaqah, we can seek Allah’s mercy and forgiveness to eradicate any of our sins.
Protects You from Calamities
Our lives are filled with challenges that are hard to deal with. One of the greatest benefits of Sadaqah is that it has the power to help you through difficult times by helping those in need. It reminds you that, even though you’re facing a challenge, there are others out there with less who are struggling to survive and need your help. By giving to these people who are facing poverty, conflict and hardship, you’re reminded of the blessings you do have in life and can feel joy through knowing you’ve saved someone’s life.
Sadaqah can also protect you from calamities, as stated in a hadith:
‘Ali reported God’s messenger as saying, “Give the Sadaqa without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.”
[Mishkat al-Masabih 1887]
Encourages Empathy and Gratefulness
Sadaqah is encouraged to be given discreetly in Islam, keeping it between the giver and Allah (SWT). This helps you to be humble with your giving and not expect anything in return, while also encouraging empathy for those in need, as this charity focuses on helping others. It also keeps you grateful for the blessings that you have been given in life and encourages you to share them with those who need blessings to change their lives for the better.
Following the Footsteps of the Prophet (PBUH)
By giving Sadaqah, you are following in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), sticking by his teachings and practices. Muhammad (PBUH) used to give charity often to help others and transform their lives.
In a hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“A charity is due for every joint in each person on every day the sun comes up: to act justly between two people is a charity; to help a man with his mount, lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it, is a charity; a good word is a charity; and removing a harmful thing from the road is a charity.”
[Al-Bukhari, Muslim]
When to Give Sadaqah
There is no set time for when you can give Sadaqah, and it’s highly encouraged to give this charity regularly throughout the year. However, there are particular times in the Islamic calendar when the benefits of Sadaqah are greater and when those in need require even more help. These times are typically the four sacred months of Muharram, Rajab, Dhul Qadah and Dhul Hijjah, along with the blessed month of Ramadan when rewards are multiplied. As well as these times of the year, giving Sadaqah is often the greatest on Fridays when Allah (SWT) showers Muslims with blessings.
The Benefits of Sadaqah in Ramadan
Ramadan is one of the most sacred months of the year for Muslims worldwide because it’s a time to earn immense rewards, focus on acts of worship and strengthen their connection to Allah (SWT). This means that giving Sadaqah during Ramadan is a way for believers to make the most of the holy month, achieve spiritual renewal and help those in need to earn rewards too.
Earn Greater Rewards
The benefits of Sadaqah in Ramadan are much greater than at any other time of the year, allowing Muslims to gain multiplied rewards through their worship. Giving this charity throughout the month in all different forms can please Allah (SWT) and earn you great rewards, especially when done with sincerity and alongside other acts of worship, like praying and reciting the Quran.
Help Those in Need at Their Most Desperate Time of Need
Alongside this, other benefits of Sadaqah in Ramadan are that so many vulnerable people need help at this time of year. It’s a time when many rely on your generosity to end their hunger and feel the joys of this blessed month. So many people facing famine and starvation still partake in Ramadan and the fast during daylight hours to try and earn rewards and blessings. However, when it comes to breaking the fast, many families cannot afford to, so they still remain hungry when everyone else is replenishing their bodies. Giving Sadaqah during the month to those who need it most allows them to finally break their fast and give their bodies what they need to survive!
Seek Laylat al-Qadr to Earn Multiplied Rewards
Another huge benefit of Sadaqah in Ramadan is that it can help you seek Laylat al-Qadr when you give it during the last ten nights of Ramadan. This is the Night of Power when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which began Islam’s values and teachings that are still followed today. Due to this, these last ten nights can earn you multiplied rewards that are better than a thousand months from giving Sadaqah and prioritising other forms of worship.
Give Sadaqah with Orphans in Need
You can reap the rewards of giving to charity this Ramadan by donating to the Orphans in Need Sadaqah Appeal.
Please donate generously to help our fellow brothers and sisters from around the world, invest in your akhirah and earn good deeds!
