Sadaqah In Islam
Sadaqah is called the voluntary charity. This is that money which is given to poor and deserving people, but not obligatory. Sadaqah is appreciated in islam since it is that amount which we give other than the once prescribed to be given every fiscal year. there are many verses in Quran that talk about the wealth which we spend in the name of ALLAH on the poor. ALLAH swt has said in Quran;Al-Quran 2:261"The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allaah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allaah gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allaah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower.. "Al-Quran 2:245"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. " to do sadqa does not mean to show the world that we have money, In other words for show off. The money spent for any intention other than to please ALLAH will not add anything into our good deeds.Qur'an, 2: 264"O you who believe! Do not render vain your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men and he does not believe in Allah nor in the last Day."The above verse clarifies that the one who spends money to show others have no faith, but he is a plain loser.What we give in sadqah is our matter with ALLAH swt, so it is better to conceal what we do for others. But doing it loud is not bad either. The wisdom behind giving money in charity and concealing it is to shun the feeling of pride that sometimes over takes man and ruins his good deeds. But doing sadqah loudly also encourages other people to do the same which sometimes lead to the self praise.Al- Qur'an, 2:270-271"And whatever you spend in charity or whatever vow you make, be sure Allah knows it all. But the wrongdoers have no helpers. If you disclose (acts of) charity, even so it is well, but if you conceal them and make them reach those (really) in need, that is best for you. It will remove from you some of your (stains of) evil. And Allah is well acquainted with what you do."Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, "Seven people will be shaded by Allah under His shade on the day when there will be no shade except His." And among them one is a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity.So better is to do what ALLAH and HIS Messenger s.a.w.w like. Sadqa cannot be given from money that is not halal. Only lawful money can be given as sadqa, but unfortunately people who want to make their black money white, given plenty of money as sadqa which has no place and is not acceptable.Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, "If one gives in charity what equals one date-fruit from the honestly earned money and Allah accepts only the honestly earned money Allah takes it in His Right (hand). And then, enlarges its reward for that person (who has given it), as anyone of you brings up his baby horse, so much so that it becomes as big as a mountain." (Bukhari)The people who should be given preference while giving sadqah are our own relatives. It is good to give sadqah to others as well, but people who are near like neighbors and relatives have the first right on it. So it is better to remember these people before heading for any NGO.Hakim ibn Hizam narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: "The upper hand is better than the lower hand, (i.e., he who gives charity is better than him who takes it). One should start giving first to his dependents. And the best object of charity is that which is given by a wealthy person (from the money which is left after his expenses.) And whoever abstains from asking others for some financial help, Allah will give him and save him from asking others, Allah will make him self-sufficient." (Bukhari)In another hadith, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.w said;"Spend in charity and do not keep count for then Allah will also keep count in giving you provision." (Bukhari and Muslim)This means that when do sadqah do not count it because when ALLAH does not count HIS blessings over us, why should we count that we give in ALLAH's name.There are plenty of ways to do sadqah given below:1).Donate one's money2) Recitation of Tasbih (Subhan Allah), Tahmid (Al-hamdu lillah), Takbir (Allahu Akbar), Tahlil (La ilaha illallah) every morning,Since Prophet(pbuh) said: When you get up in the morning, charity is due from every one of your joints & showed the way to express gratitude to Allah daily [Muslim].3) Enjoin Good and forbid wrong/ unlawful.4) Restrain yourself from doing wrong to people.5) Perform two Rak`ah prayer at any time between sunrise and sunset.6) Intimate relationship of husband & wife.7) Administer justice between two person8) Assisting someone/needy/aggreived9) Speak good 10) Every good deed11) Every step that you take (towards the mosque) for Salat (prayer)12) Removing harmful things from the road13) Plant a tree, whatever is eaten/stolen/substracted by anyone (men and beasts and birds is charity for the one who planted it.14) Even giving half a date