10 Things You Should Know About Sadaqa (Charity) in Islam

Bismi-Llah, Al-Rahmani, Al-Rahim. As-salamu alaykum, wa Rahmatul-Lah. It's cure for sickness, protection against calamities, brings about sustenance results in much blessings, baraka. [It] Defends against 70 types of misfortunes, such as insanity, and it is highly emphasised in Islam and practised by God's chosen representatives. Yes, indeed, it's Sadaqa, or giving charity, and it is mentioned in more than 50 places in the Holy Qur'an. It's a beautiful deed that even science tells us today that it will enhance happiness.

Indeed, most of us know that Sadaqa is a virtuous act, but there are some important jurisprudential as well as spiritual considerations we need to be aware of. Here. I will discuss ten as part of the charitable act of giving money, since doing anything righteous for the sake of God is also considered Sadaqa, such as, for example, smiling.

Number one: Sadaqa is defined Ihsan, kindness by giving money with the intention of seeking the pleasure of God. So the niyya, intention is very important. That is why scholars say when we give Sadaqa, we should give it with the general intention of "Qurbatan ila Allah" [seeking closeness to God] rather than for a specific purpose, such as seeking protection. The latter is fine, except that we may lose out on the benefits of Sadaqa in general.

Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala, says in the Holy Qur'an, chapter nine, verse one hundred and three: "Khud min amwalihim sadaqatan tutahhiruhum wa tuzakkihim biha" (9:103). Take from the wealth that which cleanses and purifies them.

Number two: the mustahabb Sadaqa can be given to anyone. I.e., there's no restriction of faith or denomination or background. However, the wajib Sadaqa, like the Zakat ul-Fitra or the Kaffarat, for example, must be given to believers only.

Number three: if you're a Sayyid, you can give all forms of Sadaqa, either wajib and recommended to a Sayyid or a non Sayyid. So. For example, Zakat ul-Fitra or normal Zakat can be given by Hashimi Sayyid to another Sayyid. However, a non Sayyid cannot give the wajib Sadaqa like the Zakat to a Sayyid, but a non Sayyid can give the mustahabb Sadaqa, like the one we put aside in our box at home, for example, to a Sayyid. And this is important.

There is a small condition, though, and that is, it should not be belittling or one that causes humiliation to the Sayyid. Therefore, a non Sayyid can give the mustahabb Sadaqa to a Sayyid.

Number four: it is better to give Sadaqa in private rather than giving it in public. Giving it in private is actually more rewarding. The exception is if by doing so in public, we have the intention of encouraging others to gain reward, as well as participate.

Number five: what about putting the money inside those charity boxes? Is that Sadaqa? And can you, for example, take some money out of the box temporarily or sometimes put notes instead of the coins? Well, scholars have differed on this issue. Ayatollah Kh'ui, Rahmatu Allahi alayh, for example, says: the moment you make the intention for Sadaqa and put money aside, you can't then touch it or change it.

Ayatollah Sistani, hafidha Allah, however, says that until the money reaches the poor or the needy or the intended usage, you can take it out of the box or exchange the coins for notes. For example. The exception, however, is boxes from Al-'Ain charity, which have been designated by his eminence as actual receiving of the needy when you place the money inside the box.

Six: it is more rewarding to give Sadaqa to blood relatives 'arharm', rather than others. Hence, if you have a relative who is needy, try to fulfil their needs and give them first. Actually, there are interesting narrations from the Ahl Al-Bayt, alayhum as-salam, that say, if you have a relative who's upset with you, for example, and they are not needy, you should give them sadhata to make them happy, even if there are others who are not relatives who would need this donation. This is because Sadaqa could also be given to a person who is not needy, but of course giving it to a poor person is much more rewarding.

Number seven: when you give Sadaqa to someone, you don't need to tell them [that] it is Sadaqa. Sometimes that helps for the person to accept the money.

Eight: it is makruh, disliked, for us to reject someone who has come to ask us for help, even if we know they may not be entitled, or may not be poor. Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala will grant reward, since if we do it for His sake, the act of Sadaqa is blessed and rewarding.

Number nine: once you give someone Sadaqa, you can't take it back or ask for it back.

Number ten: there are some Adab, etiquettes when giving Sadaqa. This includes not expecting thanks from the person, not making false promises to people who ask, not taking advantage of the poor and the vulnerable, to give what we desire the most, not to rebuke or say inappropriate words to people who ask, and to kiss one's own hands after giving Sadaqa, not the person that we are actually given and that person's hands. This was the practise of Imam as-Sadiq, alayhi as-salam, according to anarration.

May Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala accept all your deeds.