Importance of charity (Sadaqah)
Importance of Charity in Islam
Charity holds a central place in Islam, reflecting the values of compassion, empathy, and solidarity. It is an act that purifies the heart, strengthens the community, and earns immense rewards from Allah. Through charity, Muslims express gratitude for their blessings and fulfill their duty toward the less fortunate, ensuring that society thrives in harmony and mutual support.
The Qur’an emphasizes the importance of charity, linking it to righteousness and success. Allah says:
لَّيْسَ ٱلْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ ٱلْمَشْرِقِ وَٱلْمَغْرِبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلْبِرَّ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَٱلسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ…
“Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets, and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves…”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:177)
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) further highlighted the virtue of charity, saying:
“الصَّدَقَةُ تُطْفِئُ الْخَطِيئَةَ كَمَا يُطْفِئُ الْمَاءُ النَّارَ”
“Charity extinguishes sins as water extinguishes fire.”
(Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2616)
This introduction sets the tone for exploring the profound importance of charity in Islam, drawing from the Qur’an and Hadith to inspire and encourage this noble practice.
The Command for Charity in the Qur’an
The Qur’an repeatedly highlights the significance of charity and its transformative impact on society and the individual soul. Charity is a manifestation of faith and gratitude toward Allah, the Provider of all sustenance.
A Command to Spend
Allah commands believers to spend from their wealth for the betterment of others:
وَأَقِيمُوا ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا۟ لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
“And establish prayer and give zakah, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves – you will find it with Allah. Indeed, Allah of what you do is Seeing.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:110)
This verse connects charity with the fulfillment of religious obligations, portraying it as a vital component of worship.
Purification and Growth
Charity is described as a means of purification for the soul and growth of wealth:
خُذۡ مِنۡ أَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ صَدَقَةً۬ تُطَهِّرُهُمۡ وَتُزَكِّيہِم بِہَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيۡهِمۡۖ إِنَّ صَلَوٰتَكَ سَكَنٌ۬ لَّهُمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
“Take, [O Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [Allah’s blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.”
(Surah At-Tawbah, 9:103)
This verse highlights the dual benefits of charity: spiritual cleansing and worldly blessings.
Lending to Allah
Charity is likened to a loan to Allah, which is returned manifold:
مَّن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يُقۡرِضُ ٱللَّهَ قَرۡضًا حَسَنً۬ا فَيُضَـٰعِفَهُ ۥ لَهُ ۥٓ أَضۡعَافً۬ا كَثِيرَةً۬ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَقۡبِضُ وَيَبۡسُطُۖ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ
“Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:245)
This analogy motivates believers to give generously, assuring them of Allah’s reward.
The Importance of Charity in Hadith
The sayings of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) reinforce the Qur’anic teachings on charity, offering practical guidance and immense motivation for believers.
A Shield Against Hellfire
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
اتَّقُوا النَّارَ وَلَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ
“Protect yourself from the Fire, even if with half a date [in charity].”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1417; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1016)
This Hadith underscores that no act of charity is too small; even the smallest contribution can serve as a shield against Hellfire.
Continuous Reward
The Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned that charity is among the deeds that provide ongoing rewards even after death:
إِذَا مَاتَ ٱبْنُ آدَمَ ٱنْقَطَعَ عَمَلُهُ إِلَّا مِنْ ثَلَاثٍ: صَدَقَةٍ جَارِيَةٍ، أَوْ عِلْمٍ يُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ، أَوْ وَلَدٍ صَالِحٍ يَدْعُو لَهُ
“When a person dies, all their deeds end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1631)
This Hadith highlights the enduring impact of charity that benefits others even after the giver has passed away.
Charity as Proof of Faith
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
وَالصَّدَقَةُ بُرْهَانٌ
“Charity is a proof (of one’s faith).”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 223)
By giving in charity, a believer demonstrates their trust in Allah’s provision and their commitment to the well-being of others.
Types of Charity in Islam
Charity in Islam is broadly categorized into Zakah (obligatory charity) and Sadaqah (voluntary charity).
Zakah (Obligatory Charity)
Zakah is a mandatory act of worship, calculated as a specific percentage of one’s wealth, and distributed to eligible recipients. Allah says:
إِنَّمَا ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتُ لِلۡفُقَرَآءِ وَٱلۡمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱلۡعَـٰمِلِينَ عَلَيۡهَا وَٱلۡمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمۡ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَٱلۡغَـٰرِمِينَ وَفِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱبۡنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِۖ فَرِيضَةً۬ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
“Zakah expenditures are only for the poor, the needy, those employed to collect [zakah], for bringing hearts together [for Islam], for freeing captives, for those in debt, for the cause of Allah, and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.”
(Surah At-Tawbah, 9:60)
Zakah ensures wealth redistribution, helping reduce poverty and social inequality.
Sadaqah (Voluntary Charity)
Sadaqah is any act of giving beyond Zakah. It can take various forms, such as monetary aid, providing food, or even offering a kind word. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
كُلُّ مَعْرُوفٍ صَدَقَةٌ
“Every act of goodness is charity.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1009)
This Hadith expands the concept of charity to include all acts of kindness.
The Benefits of Charity
Purification of Wealth and Soul
Giving in charity purifies wealth by removing its impurities and greed, as mentioned in the Qur’an (9:103).
Protection from Calamities
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
صَنَائِعُ ٱلْمَعْرُوفِ تَقِي مَصَارِعَ ٱلسُّوءِ
“Charity protects against misfortune.”
(Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 17334)
Increasing Wealth
Charity does not diminish wealth; instead, it brings blessings and increases it. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
مَا نَقَصَ مَالٌ مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ
“Charity does not decrease wealth.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2588)
Gaining Allah’s Pleasure
Charity pleases Allah, bringing the giver closer to Him and earning His favor.
Practical Ways to Give Charity
- Monetary Contributions: Donating money to charitable organizations, mosques, or directly to the needy.
- Feeding the Hungry: Providing food to those in need.
- Supporting Education: Funding schools, scholarships, or study resources.
- Environmental Care: Planting trees or maintaining cleanliness.
- Offering Time and Effort: Volunteering for community service.
Conclusion
Charity in Islam is not merely an act of giving; it is a means of worship, purification, and social reform. It uplifts the giver, benefits the receiver, and strengthens the bonds of the Muslim community. The Qur’an and Hadith repeatedly remind us of its significance, rewards, and transformative power.
May Allah inspire us to be generous, selfless, and compassionate, embodying the true spirit of charity in our lives. As Allah says:
مَّن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يُقۡرِضُ ٱللَّهَ قَرۡضًا حَسَنً۬ا فَيُضَـٰعِفَهُ ۥ لَهُ ۥٓ أَضۡعَافً۬ا كَثِيرَةً۬ۚ
“Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over?”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:245)
Let us seize every opportunity to give, remembering that even a small act of kindness can hold immense value in the sight of Allah.
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External Resources
- Learn more about the importance of charity in Islam with this article on the benefits of giving in Islam.
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- Discover why charity holds such a high place in Islam by reading this article on the spiritual rewards of giving in Islam.
- Understand the transformative power of charity in Islam through this resource on how acts of charity foster compassion and unity.