Imagine if you could open more doors that bring you endless opportunities!
Sadaqah means spending money in the way of Allah. One of the best forms of sadaqah is sadaqah jariyah. Sadaqah jariyah has many forms. Sharing knowledge, sharing good deeds and many others are forms of sadaqah jariyah. Imagine if you could spend money and never worry about transferring your funds from your bank account to your hereafter account in the currency that only works there. Or imagine if you could open more doors that bring you endless opportunities, this does not happen only in your dreams. Still, it has happened to many around the world doing sadaqah or, in other words giving charity.
Find out the best ways to do sadaqah.
Even if you don’t have enough to give, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught us never to underestimate any donated amount, even if it’s half a date. The best ways to do sadaqah are endless and feasible for all. And to feel encouraged to give more, let’s get to know the rewards and fruits of giving charity in Islam.
Benefits of Sadaqah in Islam
1. Multiplication of your rewards and wealth
“مثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍ مِّائَةُ حَبَّةٍ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ _البقرة 261
“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 2:261
البقرة245 _ مَّن ذَا الَّذِي يُقْرِضُ اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا فَيُضَاعِفَهُ لَهُ أَضْعَافًا كَثِيرَةً ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَقْبِضُ وَيَبْسُطُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
“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”Al Baqarah 2:245
2. The extinguishing of the wrath of the Lord
Umm Salamah (RadhiAllahu ‘anha) reported, The Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said:
“Good works protect from evil fates. Charity in secret extinguishes the wrath of the Lord, maintaining family ties increases life span, and every good deed is charity.
The people of good in the world are the people of good in the Hereafter, and the people of evil in the world are the people of evil in the Hereafter. And the first to enter Paradise are the people of good.”
[ al-Mu’jam al-Awsaṭ 6252 – Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani
3. Wealth
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (RadhiAllahu ‘anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: “Allaah said: ‘Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.’”
[ Sahih Bukhari ]
4. Shade on the day of resurrection
The Prophet said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)
5. Protection from tragedies
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)
6. Cure of disease
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Treat your sick by giving Sadaqah (charity).” Collected in Saheeh al-Jamia
The fruits of giving charity are not limited only to these benefits; they are countless in Dunya and akhirah. (life and the hereafter).
Best Ways To Do Sadaqah
Charity comes in many forms in Islam, and that is from Allah’s mercy upon us. It can be in the form of money, goods, acts of kindness, time, effort, or even a smile. Here is one of the six best ways to sadaqah all year long.
1. Give it secretly
The Prophet Mohammad said that one of the seven groups of people will be granted shade on the Day of Judgment includes the one who gives charity but hides it so that even his left-hand does not know what his right hand has spent.
“If you disclose your Sadaqaat, it is well; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, that is better for you.” [Al Baqarah 2:271]
2. Give it publicly
If you keep the amount you give for charity private remember that the act of publicly giving charity is encouraged to remind others and motivate them to give sadaqah as well.
“Those who spend their money in the night and in the day, secretly and openly, they will have their reward with their Lord. There is no fear over them nor will they grieve.” [Al Baqarah 2:274]
3. Provide water
Communities that don’t have access to clean water face a lot of hardships. Fulfilling the need to have safe water is an excellent sadaqah, for water should be a fundamental right for every human being.
‘The Messenger of Allah (saw) was asked, “Which charity is best?” He replied, “[Providing] water”’. [Abu Dawud]
Allah says in the Qur’an, ‘Utilizing water; we give life to everything. (Qur’an, 21:30)
4. Knowledge is wealth
Sharing knowledge is sadaqah jariyah.
The Prophet(pbuh) said: “The best of charity is when a Muslim man gains knowledge, then he teaches it to his Muslim brother.”Abu Huraira- Ibn Magah
5. Orphan care
The messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “I and the one who looks after an orphan will be like this in Paradise.” showing his middle and index fingers and separating them.” Sahl bin Sa’d bin Malik
6. The charity that keeps on giving
If a person performs a deed that continues to benefit others in a good way, the performer of the deed will continue to collect the rewards for his/her single act for as long as it helps others (even after the person passes away).
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity), a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased).” (Muslim, Al-Tirmidhi, others)
Other forms of charity
These 6 methods are not the exclusive best ways to do sadaqah in Islam. In fact, there are other desirable charity acts that can be done on a daily basis such as a man providing for his family, a mother raising her children, helping family members in need, removing a harmful object off the road, getting up at night and praying or even controlling anger.
Why do we give?
Giving is not only a duty but a privilege. As a matter of fact, we don’t actually own what we have, whether it’s money, health, assets, home, car…etc. Everything is an Amanah or a loan that Allah has placed in our hands to test us on how we will use it. Everything belongs to Him and to Him we shall all return.
Aisha the Prophet’s wife used to perfume money donated for the needy as she said she was giving it to Allah first. When you do sadaqah, you’re not giving it to those in need, you’re sending it to your other life through God.
May we all be granted with a generous heart to keep on giving and May Allah replenish us in ways we would have never imagined.
