What is Sadaqah

Sadaqah is the term used to describe a voluntary act of charity that is wide-reaching, for example a form of monetary charity or an act of kindness that can be performed in any amount, at any time of the year.

Therefore, any act of kindness or support extended to other beings (including animals) for the sake of Allah (SWT), can be considered a Sadaqah or charity.

Examples of Sadaqah

It can be everything from an act of kindness to a monetary donation. For example, Sadaqah can be a voluntary donation. It can be helping someone in need, giving a smile, or it can even be removing a harmful object from your path. Aqiqah , Fidya and Kaffarah are also examples of Sadaqah.

What does Sadqah mean?

For many of the world’s most vulnerable, your donations are a lifeline.

When you provide a Sadaqah donation to Islamic Relief, you can change the future of an orphan in need. Through your vital donations, they are provided with a way home to food, shelter, an education, and a chance at a brighter future.

How Islamic Relief used your Sadaqah donations

Islamic Relief has been working in Afghanistan for over 20 years. We were one of the few charities working in Afghanistan during the military incursions, and we have offices in Kabul, Herat, Bamyan, Nangarhar and Balkh.

In recent months, our teams on the ground have distributed food packs to the most vulnerable families in Kabul, Nangarhar, Balkh, Bamiyan, and Kapisa provinces.

In addition to Islamic Relief Canada’s seasonal Qurbani, Ramadan and Winter projects, we also establish year-round programming that aims to improve the resilience and livelihoods of the Afghan people.

These projects include empowering women through socioeconomic opportunities, responding to food insecurity crises, and addressing the water, sanitation, hygiene and protection needs of vulnerable communities.

The Impact of your Sadaqah Donations

Giving Sadaqah can help provide crucial medical care that people facing the effects of war and crisis can seek relief in. For example our brothers and sisters in Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria and Palestine.

They also provide livelihoods to thousands of people and communities. This helps to break the poverty cycle and lifting individuals in need into wellbeing.

Your Sadaqah donations are simply transformative.

Zakat and Sadaqah

Sadaqah is an entirely voluntary charity that can be performed at any time of year, and any amount can be given. However, Zakat is an obligatory charity due from every Muslim whose total possessions (cash, gold, silver, shares) meet or exceed the nisab threshold on a yearly basis.

Essentially, the difference between Zakat and Sadaqah is that Zakat is obligatory and one of the five pillars of Islam while Sadaqah is simply a kind gesture made with the intention of helping others.

Essentially, the difference between Zakat and Sadaqah is that Zakat is obligatory and one of the five pillars of Islam while Sadaqah is simply a kind gesture made with the intention of helping others.

Zakat has a number of stipulations regarding the type of assistance it can provide. However, Sadaqah can be used for any project or program which is of benefit to people. In a number of sayings, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized the benefits of giving Sadaqah.

Sadaqah and Sadaqah Jariya

An important concept within Islam is the idea of Sadaqah Jariyah – an ‘ongoing charity’.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “When a person dies, all their deeds end except three: a continuing charity, beneficial knowledge and a child who prays for them.” (Muslim)

Therefore, many Muslims are eager to give charity which will continue to have benefit to people after their death, and continue to earn them reward.

Sadaqah Jariyah is any charity which continues to have positive effects on a community in the long-term, beyond immediate relief. This includes: building homes, schools and hospitals. Other examples include: installing durable water systems; turning an area of land into a farm which continues to give crops for years to come; helping a poor family start a business which continues generating profit for future generations.

What is the difference between Sadaqah and Sadaqah Jariyah?

Essentially, Sadaqah Jariyah is what today’s international development sector calls ‘sustainable development’. Islam promoted this over 1400 years ago. Sadaqah Jariyah encompasses the majority of the sustainable development programmes carried out by both Islamic and other NGOs today.

Why is Sadaqah important in Islam?

Sadaqah is a voluntary act of charity given for the sole purpose of pleasing Allah (SWT), without expecting anything in return.

We know that Prophet Muhammad ﷻ was  very generous. He (ﷻ) would give his food, money, and belongings to the poor and often let himself go hungry. In summary, the Prophet Muhammad  ﷻ  had impeccable character. Therefore, it is an immense reward in following his exemplary behaviour.

What are the benefits of Sadaqah?

Sadaqah not only purifies one’s own wealth, but also helps to establish economic stability through the flow of wealth in society. Through the good deed of giving, Muslims are bonded together. Therefore, Muslims are instructed by Allah (SWT) to try to give for His sake and spread generosity.

Islamic Relief works with communities to strengthen their resilience to calamities, and we provide vital emergency aid when disasters occur.

We help the impoverished access basic services, including education, water and sanitation, as well as healthcare. We provide lasting routes out of poverty through our sustainable development schemes. Our integrated approach to progress is transforming communities worldwide.

We tackle the root causes of poverty and make sure that the world’s most vulnerable people have real influence in both our programs and advocacy.

Our key values, of compassion, justice, custodianship, sincerity and excellence – a critical part of our Islamic faith - inspire us each and every day to create positive change and remember the sanctity of life.

In line with Islamic teachings on the value of every human life, we provide assistance to whoever needs it most, regardless of race, religion or gender. We work to transform and save lives of people in crisis both Canada and across the world.