There are immense benefits of giving Sadaqah in Islam. But before we get to know the benefits, let’s understand what Sadaqah really is.
Sadaqah refers to a righteous act or (can also be said as an act of goodness) done without any hope of getting something in return. It can be anything – such as sharing food, helping financially, smiling, giving sincere advice to someone, sharing knowledge, or saying a kind word.
Sadaqah can help to improve the quality of life for the person receiving it, and can also help to build stronger relationships with Allah SWT.
Giving Sadaqah has several benefits and one of the best benefits of giving charity can be seen in the Holy Qur’an – Surat Al-Ĥadīd, verse 18.
“Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan – it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward.”
Benefits of Giving Sadaqah in Islam
Below are the reasons why we should give Sadaqah as much as we can:
- Giving Sadaqah purifies the soul and helps in getting rid of negative thoughts. It also brings peace and contentment to the heart.
- Sadaqah increases one’s faith in Allah. We realize that Allah is the Provider and He will take care of us. This increases our reliance on Him and our trust in His mercy and goodness.
- It brings us closer to Allah as it is a way of showing our love for Allah.
- It is an act of worship that brings us closer to Him.
- It provides financial assistance to those who are in need.
- Sadaqah is a means of expiating our sins and increasing our good deeds. It will be a source of great rewards for us in the hereafter.
- It is an act of mercy and compassion. By giving charity, we can ease the suffering of others and make their lives better.
- When we give Sadaqah, we are helping to create a society that is based on Islamic values. It encourages people to be more charitable and compassionate towards others.
- Sadaqah (Charity) helps to build bridges between people. It breaks down barriers of hatred and misunderstanding. It brings people together and helps to create a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood.
- It helps to reduce poverty and inequality in society.
- A way to earn rewards after death.
- Sadaqah helps to promote social cohesion. It helps to build a sense of community and belonging. It helps to build strong and healthy communities.
- Giving Sadaqah makes us better people. It inculcates in us the qualities of mercy, compassion, and generosity. It promotes goodwill and harmony between people.
- Sadaqah cures illness & prevents evil death.
- Sadaqah is a means of being protected from Hellfire.
- A means of Dua getting accepted.
Giving Sadaqah is a great act of worship. It is a way of thanking Allah for His blessings and a way of showing our obedience to Him.
Hadiths Related to Benefits of Sadaqah in Islam
➔ Sadaqah does not decrease wealth, it increases, purifies, and protects wealth.
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Charity does not decrease wealth, no one forgives another except that Allah increases his honor, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that Allah raises his status. – [Sahih Muslim 2588]
➔ Sadaqah is a means of expiating sins.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Charity extinguishes the sins like water extinguishes a fire.” [Ibn Majah]
➔ Giving Sadaqah eases hardships and removes calamities. A Hadith can be seen below:
The Prophet (ﷺ), said:
Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.” [Al-Tirmidhi]
➔ Sadaqah helps to promote social cohesion. It helps to build a sense of community and belonging. It helps to build strong and healthy communities.
Abu Dharr narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
“Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity, commanding good and forbidding evil is charity, your giving directions to a man lost in the land is charity for you. Your seeing for a man with bad sight is a charity for you, your removal of a rock, a thorn or a bone from the road is charity for you. Your pouring what remains from your bucket into the bucket of your brother is charity for you.” – [Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1956]
➔ Sadaqah cures illness & prevents evil death. If a person is sick, you can help with his recovery and pay Sadaqah on his behalf.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Treat your sick ones with charity.” (Saheeh al-Jaami)
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Sadaqah appeases the Lord’s anger and averts an evil death.” (Tirmidhi)
➔ Sadaqah is a means of being protected from Hellfire and entering Paradise.
There are 8 gates of Jannah and Baab As-Sadaqah is the name of one of those gates. People who frequently gave Sadaqah in their lives or who are regularly involved in charitable acts are permitted to pass through this gate.
Narrated `Adi bin Hatim heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying:
“Save yourself from Hell-fire even by giving half a date-fruit in charity.” – [Sahih al-Bukhari 1417]
➔ Sadaqah is a means of Dua being accepted
A Muslim may ask Allah SWT to accept his Dua through his performed good deeds. There is a Hadith of Sahih al-Bukhari 2215, where we can read the story of 3 men trapped in a cave with their exit blocked by fallen rock. They asked Allah SWT to save them, by virtue of their righteous deeds. See the complete Hadith for a better understanding.
➔ On the Day of Judgment, Sadaqah will be the shade.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (Riyad as-Salihin 449)
➔ A way to earn rewards after death
When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (continuous charity), the knowledge that is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him. [Muslim]
Sadaqah is an important part of our faith, and it is something that we should all strive to do. “May Allah grant us the ability to give Sadaqah (Charity) and may He forgive our sins. Ameen.”
