Sadaqah is such a comprehensive and beautiful action that there are several virtues and benefits of giving Sadaqah in the Prophet narrations. In fact, several actions are deemed as Sadaqah in the Hadith.
This is of no surprise as the word Sadaqah stems from the root meaning of honesty and truthfulness. Whichever action testifies to one’s honesty, and in particular one’s internal state of truthfulness in accepting Allah as the One Lord, will be considered as Sadaqah. This article explores five Prophetic narrations on Sadaqah.
Sadaqah extinguishes sin as a water extinguishes fire.
(Tirmidhi)
This is one of the primary benefits of Sadaqah. The forgiveness of sins as a result of Sadaqah is commonly referred to in the Prophetic narrations. The scholars state that the sins referred to in such narrations are minor sins. The major sins are only forgiven by repentance. Minor sins are something which are overlooked and potentially done regularly. Therefore, it is good practice to give Sadaqah regularly throughout the day in its various forms to ensure that a person closes the day with no minor sin to their name.
Ramadan is an honourable and blessed month, and the rewards for generosity are multiplied in it. The best charity is that given in Ramadan.
(Tirmidhi)
This Hadith shows that the value of charity increases in virtuous seasons and times. Hence, Ramadan is a season of Sadaqah. Giving regular Sadaqah throughout Ramadan should become a regular practice of everyone. One receives much more in this month than giving in other months of the year. To add to Ramadan, the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are also highly virtuous and according to many scholars, more virtuous than the days of Ramadan. Therefore, these two seasons should be full of Sadaqah payments.
Sadaqah does not decrease wealth.
(Muslim)
Giving money in Sadaqah clearly is a deduction from one’s wealth and a decrease in one’s overall net wealth. However, this Hadith contradicts the reality that we all see. This Hadith is telling us that Sadaqah does not create a decrease. The scholars state that this is Hadith is absolutely true and wealth in real terms never decreases in amount and quality. Scholars state that this Hadith tells us that by giving Sadaqah, by God’s will, the funds will return in various forms of wealth throughout one’s life. Likewise, by giving Sadaqah, it shields a person from losing wealth through calamities and mishaps in life.
There is not a day upon which a person awakens but that two angels descend. One of them says: O Allah, repay one who spends in charity! The other says: O Allah, destroy the wealth of one who withholds!
(Muslim)
This narration highlights another benefit of Sadaqah. Giving Sadaqah attracts the supplications of the angels. This, in and of itself, attracts more gain as the angels are sinless creations and there is no reason why Allah would not accept the prayers of the angels. Therefore, by giving Sadaqah, one not only gains the direct benefits of giving Sadaqah, they also gain the benefits of the supplications of the angels.
Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.
(Al-Tirmidhi)
This Hadith is another great benefit of Sadaqah. Not only do people gain reward and supplications for giving Sadaqah, Sadaqah is a shield which protects a person from calamities.
The above narrations highlight how Sadaqah are multi-purpose and multi-benefit. When that is the case, we should maximise on giving Sadaqah as much as possible and especially in the virtuous times in the year.
