Islam is based on inculcating positive values in life, such as hope, love, peace, unity, honesty, and faith in Allah. Sadaqah is among these values which reflects on the best of all human characteristics – generosity, benevolence, and kindness. As per Sadaqah meaning, the act of charity is a clear proof of one’s eeman (faith). Scholars suggest giving Sadaqah is one of the best ways to gain Allah’s blessings. In addition, the act of charity also provides a sense of inner peace and happiness.

Sadaqah meaning
The word ‘sadaqah’ literally means ‘righteousness’. In Islam, it refers to a virtuous deed or an act of kindness done without the expectation of getting anything in return. This voluntary charitable act does not necessarily have to be monetary aid. It can also be as simple as greeting someone with a smile or lending someone a helping hand. Sadaqah is a sign of sincere faith in the angels of Allah counting good deeds for mercy on the Judgement day.

Power of Sadaqah

Being regarded as one of the most rewarding act, the power of Sadaqah comes from the intention of person performing it. Sadaqah can protect one from hellfire and benefit a person in this life. As per Sadaqah meaning, it is following the path of righteousness; hence, Allah protects his righteous subjects from misfortune and illness.

1.     Quenching someone’s thirst is a big Sadaqah

A deed as plain as giving water to someone who is thirsty is an act of reward in Islam. Just offering a drink to someone, is written as charity for the one who does it.And it need only be when someone asks you or is thirsty. Someone comes to your home, your family, relatives, anyone, be the first to offer them a glass of water.
Sad bin Ubadah said:”I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what charity is best?’ He said: ‘Giving water to drink.'” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3684)


2. Pray for friends (and foes)

When you remember a loved one far away, send a du’a (prayer) to wish them good health and wealth.If you have a friend who’s going through tough times, send them a du’a for the strength to carry on.And when you come across a difficult person, send them a du’a to overcome whatever is troubling them so.Everytime you make a wish or prayer for others, the angels will do the same for you.
3. Every step you take towards the prayer is a sadaqah

The infinite blessings that come with prayer are just amazing. Each step that you take to go for prayers, be it to a mosque or to a praying place in home, is counted as sadaqah for you. Yet another motivation for the brothers to pray the five daily prayers in the mosque. As for sisters, you are not missing out on anything if you are praying at home. When you get up for your prayer, the steps count for your sadaqah as well.
4. Enjoining good on others is a Sadaqah

Giving good, sincere advice to someone; saying a good word to someone; encouraging someone on the right path, all of these account to Sadaqah. You are just talking, literally, and you are rewarded for that. What can be easier than that seeing how much energy we spend on useless chattering and gossip! The only thing to keep in mind here is, your intention. Be sure you are not merely mouthing the words, ensure that you mean them as a help, as a genuine encouragement with no hidden motives.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, Enjoining, all that is good is a Sadaqah.” (Bukhari; 6021)
5. Removing something harmful from the road is a Sadaqah

Next time you see a stone in the middle of the road, a broken glass or a banana peel for that, make an effort to move it out of people’s way. Don’t feel shy or embarrassed, just make your intention and do it. Also ensure that Satan doesn’t get into your way by his whispers. Many a times we want to do these small acts of kindness, but satan tries to corrupt our intention and we end up not doing them. Even if it feels like you are doing it to show off and not for Allah swt, do it anyways. Allah swt is the acceptor of deeds. Leave it up to Him.
6. Spending on your family is a sadaqah

Spending on your family, from a halal income, even if that be a morsel of food, with the intention of seeking Allah swt’s reward, counts as a charity for you. SubhanAllah! How beautiful Islam is  So give each other small gifts, it need not be something expensive, just little somethings that your loved ones like. You are following not the only the sunnah of gift giving, but also upholding ties of kinship and getting sadaqah points for your self .

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “When a Muslim spends something on his family intending to receive Allah’s reward it is regarded as Sadaqa for him.” (Bukhari 5351)
7. Your honesty is a Sadaqah

In all matters regarding yourself and the people around you, be honest and just with how you deal with them. Your fairness and justice will be written as sadaqah for you.

Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said, “There is a Sadaqah to be given for every joint of the human body; and for every day on which the sun rises there is a reward of a Sadaqah for the one who establishes justice among people.” (Bukhari 2707)
8. Smile – it’s sunnah as well as sadaqah!

This is something we need to both encourage more among us as well as dissuade from. Meeting family, friends, and strangers with a pleasant face is a Sunnah as well as sadaqah. But making sure that it is restricted only to people that it is permissible with and not otherwise, is an obligation upon us. A smile can lead to a lot of fitnah, when dealing with the opposite sex, so we just need to be careful about this act of sadaqah and not taint this sunnah.
9. Sharing your knowledge is a Sadaqah

If you know something good, teach it to others, it will be a sadaqah for you. Sharing your knowledge, be that of deen or of duniya, is a sadaqah, an everlasting sadaqah for that. A small tip, a DIY, a tutorial, anything beneficial for that worth knowing should be shared. As much as it is for men, I want to emphasize it, just a little more for women.
9. Removing harmful things from the path

One should remove harmful things such as stones or fallen branches from the road to decrease the chances of accidents.
10. Dhikr of Allah is Sadaqah

The easiest and the most heaviest in scales is the Dhikr of Allah! It has numerous benefits and Sadaqah is just one of them.


Some of the people from among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said to him: Messenger of Allah (pbuh), the rich have taken away (all the) reward. They observe prayer as we do; they keep the fasts as we keep, and they give Sadaqah out of their surplus riches. Upon this he (pbuh) said: Has Allah not prescribed for you (a course) by following which you can (also) do sadaqa? In every declaration of the glorification of Allah (saying Subhan Allah) there is a Sadaqah, and every Takbir (saying Allah-O-Akbar) is a sadaqah, and every praise of His (saying al-Hamdu Lillah) is a Sadaqah and every declaration that He is One (La ilaha ill-Allah) is a sadaqah, and enjoining of good is a sadaqah, and forbidding of that which is evil is a sadaqah, and in man’s sexual intercourse (with his wife, ) there is a sadaqah. They (the Companions) said: Messenger of Allah (pbuh), is there reward for him who satisfies his sexual passion among us? He (pbuh) said: Tell me, if he were to devote it to something forbidden, would it not be a sin on his part? Similarly, if he were to devote it to something lawful, he should have a reward. (Muslim 1006)


Benefits and importance of Sadaqah

Sadaqah helps a person earn eeman. Whether the donation is monetary, materialistic, or spiritual, the act of charity gives happiness to both the giver and the receiver. Listed below are some of the significant benefits and importance of Sadaqah.Enhances the well-being of the people in the society and adds value to the community as a whole
Helps meet the basic needs of the poorer members of the community and gives them a sense of assurity
Lightens the burdens of those in debt or facing financial challenges
Helps in the healing of various illnesses
Cleanses a human’s heart of all the sins of greed, malice, and the obsessive desire for wealth
Eliminates bad luck and increases wealth
Guarantees heaven and helps in crossing the bridge of Siraat
Assists in gaining Allah’s blessings and mercy
Who can give Sadaqah

As per Sadaqah meaning there are no specific rules or guidelines for giving Sadaqah or who deserves to receive it. Additionally, there are no financial requirements that need to be met to give Sadaqah. Therefore, anyone who has the means and is inclined to do so can give Sadaqah. Also, there is no limit or restriction on the form, and timing of donating Sadaqah.
Who deserves Sadaqah

Sadaqah or charity is given with the aim to help the community maintain a decent living standard and fulfill the basic requirements of the poor. A homeless individual, neighbor in need, a lost traveler and strangers are eligible to receive Sadaqah in different forms.
Sadaqah facts

Here are some of the interesting facts about Sadaqah:The term ‘sadaqah’ comes from from the Arabic word ‘sidq’, which means sincerity.
The root of this word (‘sidq’) also means “to be sincere”, “to fulfil one’s promise”, or “to speak the truth”.
The term ‘sadaqah’ and its plural ‘sadaqat’ occur thirteen times in the Quran.
There are eight different categories of people who are entitled to receive Sadaqah.
The 17 different types of Sadaqah divided into two categories – Sadaqah Nafilah and Sadaqah Wajibah.
Sadaqah hadith

There are several hadiths on charity some of which are:

1. “Sadaqah extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire.”

2. “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be their charity.”

3. “Allah will deprive usury of all blessing, but will give increase for deeds of charity: for He loves not creatures ungrateful and sinner.”

4.“That which you give in usury for increase through the property of (other) people, will have no increase with Allah: but that which you give for charity, seeking the Countenance of Allah, (will increase); it is those who will get a recompense multiplied.”

5. “Charity does not in any way decrease the wealth and the servant who forgives, Allah adds to his respect; and the one who shows humility, Allah elevates him in the estimation (of the people).”
What is Sadaqah Jariyah?

Sadaqah Jariyah is a form of long-term charity which include paying the fees of a poor child, sponsoring for the orphan child, or planting trees and crops. Sadaqah Jariyah for parents and Sadaqah Jariyah for the deceased and helps a person gain the benefits from this life and enjoy it in the next.

“Surely the men who give sadaqah and the women who give sadaqah and have advanced a good loan to Allah (SWT); for them it will be multiplied and for them there is a noble reward.” – The Holy Qur’an (57:18)
Sadaqah jariyah for deceased parents



The best form of giving a Sadaqah jariyah for parents or deceased parents is to provide an ongoing charity. One can help in building of a mosque that is less on funds and facilities. Further, one can offer assistance in the education and living of children by contributing to building of an orphanage or school. One can also plant trees or assist in providing clean supply of water.