Sadaqah Explained

(Arabic: صدقة pronounced as /ar/, "charity", "benevolence", plural Arabic: صدقات pronounced as /ar/) in the modern Islamic context has come to signify "voluntary charity".^[1] According to the Quran, the word means a voluntary offering, whose amount is at the will of the benefactor.^[2] It is similar to zakat, or compulsory giving, one of the five pillars of Islam.

It is also a cognate of the Jewish concept of tzedakah, a Hebrew word that also refers to acts of voluntary giving.^[3]

Etymology and meaning

literally means "righteousness" and refers to the voluntary giving of alms or charity. In Islamic terminology, has been defined as an act of "giving something... without seeking a substitute in return and with the intention of pleasing Allah."^[4] Meanwhile, according to Ar-Rageeb al-Asfahaani “Sadaqa is what the person gives from what he possesses, like, hoping to get closer to Allah."

The term stems from the Arabic root word (s-d-q, Arabic: ص د ق), which means "sincerity"; is considered a sign of sincere faith.^[5] The three-letter root of this word, s-d-q, also means, "to speak the truth", "to be sincere", and "to fulfill one's promise". All of these aspects of honorable behavior indicate the links between generosity and a healthy society.^[6]

Some modern researchers also etymologically link the word to the Hebrew (almsgiving). Some experts hence conclude that is a loanword.^[7]

Examples of include:

to administer justice between two people
to remove harm from a road/removing thorns, bones and stones from paths
to speak a good word
to take a step towards prayer
to guide the blind
to support the weak with the strength of your arms
to smile at others

In Islamic texts

Quran

The word (meaning the obligatory) occurs 30 times in the Quran—27 times linked with prayer, three times not so-linked. The word (non-obligatory charity) and its plural occur 13 times in the Qur'an.^[8]

"" is used in the Quran to cover all kinds of charity. has been called because it is also a kind of compulsory charity. It is an obligatory while ordinary are voluntary. Thus, has to be collected by the (collector) or the government (the Islamic state) as a compulsory levy.^[9]

According to the Quran, leads to the purification of the benefactor. The Quran says that does not need to be in a material form^[10] and can also be a "voluntary effort", or a kind word.^[7] This is in agreement with a narration attributed to Muhammad which says "every good deed is a form of ."

Kind words and compassion are deemed better than sadaqa accompanied by insult, from the viewpoint of the Quran. It is also preferable for donations to be offered discreetly to those in need rather than being done in public to seek acknowledgment. The Quran criticizes donations aimed at appearing generous and compromising the value of sadaqa through ostentatious public behavior, which renders a normally charitable act purely self-serving. The Quran suggests that sadaqa is not meant only to support the poor but can also be donated to others who may not be visibly in need, helping those who require assistance to enhance their lives or need guidance toward new jobs and economic opportunities.^[7]

Among the many verses on, either voluntary or obligatory, are these:

And be steadfast in prayer; practise regular charity; and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship).
They ask thee what they should spend (In charity). Say: Whatever ye spend that is good, is for parents and kindred and orphans and those in want and for wayfarers. And whatever ye do that is good, Allah knoweth it well.
Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. Allah is free of all wants, and He is Most-Forbearing.
Allah will deprive usury of all blessing, but will give increase for deeds of charity: For He loveth not creatures ungrateful and wicked.
Those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and establish regular prayers and regular charity, will have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
So fear Allah as much as ye can; listen and obey and spend in charity for the benefit of your own soul and those saved from the covetousness of their own souls, they are the ones that achieve prosperity.

Hadith

According to some, "a kind word and smile" can be considered as and the best form of it is "passing on knowledge." Also, Muhammad said in a that removes seventy gates of evil.^[11]

Difference from

The word is interchangeably used with and in some contexts,^[2] but while is obligatory, usually refers to voluntary donations.^[12]

is a required minimum contribution by Muslims in terms of money and property or goods that can help Muslims who need assistance, while can be in the form of money, deeds, property, or salutations.^[13]

The term was used in the Quran and Sunnah for both and charity. Among the differences between them is that in the case of, the amount is fixed, utilized according to that which has been stated by the Islamic Law, and paid only once a year. However charity has no fixed percentage and one is free to pay it as many times as one can afford or feel inclined to it.^[14]

Categories of the entitled

According to nosup., there are eight categories of people who are entitled to receive . They are:

The poor, that is low-income.^[15]
The needy people .^[16]
The officials appointed to receive (administrators).^[17]
Those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled to Islam .^[18]
To free the slaves and captives.^[19]
Those who are overburdened with debt.^[20]
In the cause of Allah to spread the message of Islam.^[21]
To those who are wayfarers (travelers who do not have enough money to go back home).^[19]

Significance

Social contribution

It enhances the well-being of the people in Islamic society.^[22]
It helps in fulfilling the requirement of the poor Muslims.^[23]
It lightens the debt of the Muslim debtors.^[24]
It helps in taking care of those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to the Truth).^[24]
It helps the stranded Muslims to complete their journey.
It helps in the healing of various Sickness (according to the prophet of Islam).^[25]

Spiritual effects

It purifies human's heart from the sins of malice, greed, and the obsessive love of wealth.^[26]
It increases the wealth.^[27]
It removes bad luck.^[24]
It helps in crossing the bridge of Siraat.^[28]
It guarantees heaven.^[29]

Notes

in Literary Arabic: pronounced as //sˤadaqa//, the first and the last vowels could be backed to pronounced as /link/ and the last vowel could be turned to pronounced as /link/. The second vowel could also be backed to pronounced as /link/ or fronted to pronounced as /link/. Thus pronounced as /[sˤɑdæqɑ, sˤɑdæqɐ, sˤɑdɑqɑ]/. See Arabic phonology.

Notes and References

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Web site: Please Give Sadaqah. Imran Khan Cancer Appeal.
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Encyclopedia: Nanji. Azim. Encyclopaedia of the Qurʾān. Almsgiving. subscription . 29 November 2016 .
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