4.1.3.6 Voluntary Charity (Sadaqah)

Giving Beyond Obligation

Sadaqah is voluntary charity. It is anything a Muslim gives, or any good they do, seeking only the pleasure of Allah, without it being a fixed obligation like zakah. It is one of the most beautiful ways a believer purifies the heart, helps others, and draws closer to Allah.

Allah praises those who give freely for His sake.

“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed which grows seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies for whom He wills. And Allah is All Encompassing, All Knowing.”
(Qur’an 2:261)

The Prophet ﷺ linked sadaqah directly with protection from harm.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Sadaqah extinguishes sin just as water extinguishes fire.”
(Reported by at Tirmidhi)

Sadaqah is not limited to the wealthy, nor is it restricted to money. It is a wide door that remains open at all times.

The Difference Between Zakah and Sadaqah

Zakah is an obligation with fixed rules, conditions, and recipients. Sadaqah is open, flexible, and voluntary.

Zakah is due only on certain types of wealth, when they reach a nisab and are held for a full lunar year. Sadaqah has no minimum amount and no waiting period. Zakah must be given to specific categories mentioned in the Qur’an. Sadaqah can be given to many more people and causes, so long as they are lawful and beneficial.

Allah uses the same root word for both, but also distinguishes between the obligatory and the voluntary.

“Take from their wealth a charity (ṣadaqah) by which you purify them and cause them to grow, and pray for them. Indeed, your prayer is reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing, Knowing.”
(Qur’an 9:103)

This verse is about the obligatory taking of wealth, yet the word used is ṣadaqah. Scholars explain that in many places “ṣadaqah” in the Qur’an can mean zakah, but in the speech of Muslims it often refers to voluntary charity.

The Prophet ﷺ made both types clear. About zakah he gave detailed rules and enforcement. About voluntary sadaqah he encouraged believers to give as much as they can, whenever they can.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “There is no day in which the servants rise in the morning except that two angels descend. One of them says: ‘O Allah, give to the one who spends a replacement.’ And the other says: ‘O Allah, give to the one who withholds destruction.’”
(Al Bukhari and Muslim)

Zakah is a pillar of Islam and leaving it without excuse is a grave sin. Sadaqah is not a pillar. A person is not sinful for not giving voluntary charity, yet they lose immense reward and protection.

Sadaqah as Proof of Faith

The word “sadaqah” comes from the same root as “sidq,” which means truthfulness. Voluntary charity is therefore a sign of sincere belief. It shows that the heart truly trusts Allah, loves Him, and prefers what is with Him over what is in the hand.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Sadaqah is a proof.”
(Muslim)

Scholars explained that it is a proof of iman, because a person would not give away what they love of wealth unless they truly believe in the unseen reward that Allah promises.

Allah praises those who give in times of ease and difficulty.

“Those who spend in ease and in hardship, who restrain anger and who pardon people, and Allah loves the doers of good.”
(Qur’an 3:134)

Voluntary charity tests whether a person gives only when ordered, or whether they give out of love even without obligation. For a new Muslim, even small acts of sadaqah help to deepen faith by acting upon what the heart now believes.

Sadaqah in Wealth and Beyond

Many people think of sadaqah only as money, but the Prophet ﷺ taught that every good action given for Allah’s sake is a form of charity.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Every good deed is charity.”
(Al Bukhari and Muslim)

He ﷺ also said:

“On every joint of a person there is charity due each day when the sun rises. Doing justice between two people is charity. Helping a man with his mount, lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it, is charity. A good word is charity. Every step you take towards the prayer is charity. Removing a harmful thing from the road is charity.”
(Al Bukhari and Muslim)

From these teachings we learn that sadaqah can include material gifts such as money, food, clothing, or shelter given for Allah’s sake. It can also include non material acts such as kind speech, a sincere smile, helping someone carry a burden, visiting the sick, teaching beneficial knowledge, or even guiding someone to something good.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Your smile in the face of your brother is charity. Your enjoining good and forbidding evil is charity. Your guiding a man in a land where he is lost is charity for you.”
(At Tirmidhi)

This wide meaning makes sadaqah accessible for everyone, regardless of income or social position.

For Those Who Have Little

Islam does not shut the door of sadaqah in the face of the poor. Even someone who has nothing extra to give can still be generous in the sight of Allah.

Some poor companions complained that the wealthy had taken all the rewards. They could pray and fast as the poor did, but the rich could also give much more charity. The Prophet ﷺ guided them to other forms of sadaqah.

Some of the poor among the emigrants came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said: “O Messenger of Allah, the people of great wealth have taken all the high ranks and lasting bliss. They pray as we pray, they fast as we fast, but they have surplus wealth with which they perform Hajj and ‘Umrah, strive in jihad, and give in charity.” He said: “Shall I not tell you of something by which you will catch up with those who have gone ahead of you, and you will surpass those who come after you, and no one will be better than you except one who does the same as you do? You should say Subhan Allah, Allahu Akbar, and Alhamdulillah thirty three times after each prayer.”
(Muslim)

In another narration the Prophet ﷺ mentioned that saying Subhan Allah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar is charity, and that removing something harmful from the road is charity.

He ﷺ said: “There is a charity due on every Muslim. They said: ‘What if he does not find (anything to give)?’ He said: ‘He should work with his hands, benefit himself, and give in charity.’ They said: ‘What if he is not able to do that?’ He said: ‘He should help the needy who asks for help.’ They said: ‘What if he cannot do that?’ He said: ‘Then he should enjoin good.’ They said: ‘What if he cannot do that?’ He said: ‘Then he should refrain from evil, for that is charity for him.’”
(Al Bukhari and Muslim)

So even restraining oneself from harming others counts as a form of sadaqah. No believer is ever deprived of the opportunity to give.

Sadaqah Jariyah: Continuing Charity

Some acts of sadaqah do not end when a person dies. Their reward continues whenever people still benefit from what was given. This is called “sadaqah jariyah,” flowing charity.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.”
(Muslim)

Examples include building or helping to build a masjid or a well, funding a school or a copy of the Qur’an that people read from, or any ongoing project that continues to serve people for the sake of Allah.

Even small contributions to such projects can become a source of reward long after a person has left this world. For a new Muslim, taking part in a simple ongoing project, such as sharing authentic Islamic material or supporting a local masjid, can be a way of tying one’s life story to lasting good.

The Inner Manners of Giving

Sadaqah is an act of the heart before it is an act of the hand. The value of charity with Allah depends upon intention, sincerity, and the manner in which it is given.

Allah warns against giving for show or with reminders and hurtful words.

“O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders of your generosity or hurtful words, like the one who spends his wealth to be seen by people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day.”
(Qur’an 2:264)

“Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and then do not follow up what they have spent with reminders or injury, will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.”
(Qur’an 2:262)

The Prophet ﷺ warned strongly against showing off, including in charity.

He ﷺ said about three types of people judged first on the Day of Resurrection, including the one who gave charity so that people would say “He is generous.” Then it will be said: “You have lied. You gave charity so that it would be said, ‘He is generous,’ and it was said.” Then he will be dragged on his face into the Fire.
(Muslim)

Because of this danger, he praised secret charity in particular.

The Prophet ﷺ mentioned among the seven who will be shaded by Allah on the Day when there is no shade but His: “A man who gives charity and hides it so that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given.”
(Al Bukhari and Muslim)

For a beginner, the key is to purify the intention. Before giving, the heart should say: “This is for You, O Allah. Not for people, not for praise, not for thanks.” If some showing off enters the heart, one should fight it, renew the intention, and continue to prefer Allah’s pleasure over people’s opinions.

Times and Opportunities for Sadaqah

A believer can give sadaqah at any time, day or night, in Ramadan or outside it. Yet there are times when charity is especially encouraged or rewarded.

Allah praises those who spend secretly and openly, at all hours.

“Those who spend their wealth by night and by day, secretly and publicly, they will have their reward with their Lord. No fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.”
(Qur’an 2:274)

The Prophet ﷺ highlighted that charity in Ramadan is especially beloved, and he himself was more generous in that month than at other times.

Ibn Abbas said: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was the most generous of people, and he was even more generous in Ramadan when Jibril would meet him…”
(Al Bukhari and Muslim)

He also pointed to specific opportunities. Giving immediately when a need appears, helping relatives in difficulty, giving in the early morning, and giving during times of crisis are all examples.

The best sadaqah is what is given while a person is healthy and somewhat attached to their wealth, not when the soul is already at the throat and death is near.

The Prophet ﷺ was asked: “Which charity is best?” He said: “That you give in charity while you are healthy and greedy, hoping for wealth and fearing poverty, and do not delay until the soul reaches the throat, then you say: ‘Give to so and so, and so and so.’”
(Al Bukhari and Muslim)

Giving should become a regular part of life. Even if the amount is small, consistency is beloved to Allah.

He ﷺ said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those which are consistent, even if they are few.”
(Al Bukhari and Muslim)

Sadaqah to Family and Others

Voluntary charity to any deserving person is good, but there is a special value in helping one’s own relatives, especially those in need or those who have strained ties.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Charity given to the poor is charity, and charity given to a relative is charity and maintaining family ties.”
(Ahmad and at Tirmidhi)

Supporting parents, siblings, or other close relatives when they are in need is both sadaqah and an act of kindness toward those whom Allah has given a strong right over the believer.

Providing for one’s spouse and children, with the correct intention, can also become charity.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “You will not spend anything seeking the pleasure of Allah but that you will be rewarded for it, even the morsel of food that you put in your wife’s mouth.”
(Al Bukhari and Muslim)

Helping neighbors, travelers, or anyone suffering around the world is likewise part of sadaqah. There is a special reward in sponsoring orphans and those unable to care for themselves.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “I and the one who sponsors an orphan will be in Paradise like this,” and he joined his two fingers.
(Al Bukhari)

The believer looks first to those whose rights are strongest, then to those whose needs are greatest, and gives wherever they are able, without limiting their generosity only to people they know.

Sadaqah as Protection and Healing

The Prophet ﷺ often described sadaqah as a shield. It protects from punishment, from misfortune, and even from personal calamities by Allah’s permission.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Protect yourselves from the Fire, even with half a date.”
(Al Bukhari and Muslim)

He ﷺ said: “Sadaqah extinguishes the Lord’s anger and protects against an evil death.”
(Reported by at Tirmidhi)

Charity is also connected with healing. When someone is sick, or faces a difficulty, giving sadaqah is one of the recommended ways of seeking relief from Allah.

Ibn al Qayyim and other scholars cited the practice of the early Muslims, based on narrations, that they would give charity when seeking cure, saying: “Treat your sick ones with charity.”
(Reported in various collections with supporting chains)

Although worldly outcomes are always in Allah’s hands, sadaqah is one of the means that a believer takes, combined with dua, patience, and trust in Allah. It is not a trade with guarantees, but a humble offering seeking mercy and ease.

Balancing Sadaqah and Personal Needs

Islam encourages generosity, but it does not ask believers to neglect their own responsibilities or to give in a way that harms themselves or their dependents. Moderation is part of wisdom.

Allah describes the servants of the Most Merciful as those who neither waste nor are miserly.

“And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor miserly, but are between those, moderate.”
(Qur’an 25:67)

When a companion wanted to give all of his wealth in charity, the Prophet ﷺ guided him toward a more balanced approach.

Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas said: I said: “O Messenger of Allah, shall I give all of my wealth in charity?” He said: “No.” I said: “Then two thirds?” He said: “No.” I said: “Half?” He said: “No.” Then he said: “A third, and a third is much. It is better that you leave your heirs wealthy than to leave them poor, begging from people.”
(Al Bukhari and Muslim)

The believer should always fulfill obligations first, such as supporting dependents and paying debts, then give whatever voluntary charity they can without causing harm or neglect.

For a new Muslim, it is wise to start with small, regular amounts or simple acts, then increase gradually as knowledge, faith, and stability grow.

Making Sadaqah a Habit

Voluntary charity can become a daily habit that shapes a believer’s character. It softens the heart, reduces selfishness, and trains the soul to love giving more than taking.

The Qur’an often links spending with true piety.

“You will never attain righteousness until you spend from that which you love. And whatever you spend, indeed Allah is Knowing of it.”
(Qur’an 3:92)

The Prophet ﷺ encouraged people to guard themselves from the Fire even with very small offerings, which means that no gift is too insignificant when it is sincerely for Allah.

“Do not belittle any good deed, even if it is meeting your brother with a cheerful face.”
(Muslim)

To make sadaqah a habit, a Muslim can decide to give a set small amount regularly, keep some coins or small notes to give when a need appears, turn daily helpful acts into conscious acts of charity by renewing intention, and look for simple opportunities such as sharing knowledge, guiding someone, or removing harm from paths.

Over time, the believer begins to feel joy in giving, and sees that nothing given for Allah is truly lost.

Allah says: “Whatever you spend of anything, He will replace it, and He is the best of providers.”
(Qur’an 34:39)

Sadaqah then becomes not a burden, but a continuous path to Allah, available to everyone every day, regardless of wealth or status.