Sadaqa and the art of giving

What is ṣadaqa? The word comes from the root ṣ-d-q, that of sincerity (ṣidq): giving is a proof of the sincerity of faith. The word sometimes refers to zakaat itself (as in 9:60), but it is used above all for voluntary charity: with no threshold, rate or date, to be given to whomever one wishes, Muslim or not. It is not only money: the Prophet ﷺ said that every joint of the body owes a charity every day, and that helping someone onto his mount, a good word, every step towards prayer and removing an obstacle from the road are charities (Bukhari 2989, Muslim 1009).

Its merits • "Charity does not decrease wealth in any way" (Muslim 2588). • It multiplies: the grain that produces seven ears of a hundred grains each (2:261). • It wipes out faults "as water extinguishes fire" (At-Tirmidhi 2616). • It protects: "Protect yourselves from the Fire, even with half a date" (Bukhari 1417, Muslim 1016). • Among the seven whom Allah will shade in His shade: the one who gives a charity so discreetly that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives (Bukhari 660, Muslim 1031).

The manners of giving (aadaab) • Sincerity: giving for Allah, not to be seen (2:264). Giving in public is permitted, and may encourage others; giving in secret is better for the one who does it (2:271). • Not reproaching or hurting: reminding of the favour (al-mann) and hurtful words cancel the reward (2:262-264). • Giving what is good, and of what one loves: "You will not attain righteousness until you spend of what you love" (3:92); not giving what one would not wish to receive (2:267). • Giving while healthy and attached to money: asked about the best charity, the Prophet ﷺ replied: "that you give while you are healthy, stingy, fearing poverty and hoping for wealth, and that you do not wait until the soul reaches the throat" (Bukhari 1419, Muslim 1032). • Starting with one's dependants: "The best charity is that which leaves sufficiency; the upper hand is better than the lower hand; and begin with those you support" (Bukhari 1426, Muslim 1034) [À VÉRIFIER : numéro de Muslim]. Spending on one's family with the intention of pleasing Allah is a charity (Bukhari 55, Muslim 1002). • Not giving everything to the point of putting oneself in need, except with exceptional strength of faith: Abu Bakr gave all his wealth, 'Umar half (Abu Daawuud 1678, At-Tirmidhi 3675) [À VÉRIFIER : numéros], and the Qur'an asks for moderation (17:29, 25:67). • Giving a little but regularly: "the deed most beloved to Allah is the most regular, even if it is small" (Bukhari 6464, Muslim 783) [À VÉRIFIER : numéro].

Giving wisely today • Online fundraisers: many are honest, some are not. Check who is collecting, for whom, and whether a recognised organisation is behind it. • Organisations: in Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency's public register of charities allows one to check their status and reports. • Automatic donations: a small amount every week or month to the centre or a food bank. • Time and skills: volunteering, homework help, translation for newcomers, accompanying an elderly person. • Neighbours: ṣadaqa is not reserved for Muslims; the non-Muslim neighbour in need has his share. • Ṣadaqa for the dead: one may give on behalf of a deceased parent, and the reward reaches him (Bukhari 1388, Muslim 1004) [À VÉRIFIER : numéros].

The text: Surah Al-Baqara (2), verses 261 to 262 مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنْبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنْبُلَةٍ مِائَةُ حَبَّةٍ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٢٦١﴾ الَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ لَا يُتْبِعُونَ مَا أَنْفَقُوا مَنًّا وَلَا أَذًى ۙ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ﴿٢٦٢﴾

The text: Surah Al-Baqara (2), verse 264 يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُبْطِلُوا صَدَقَاتِكُمْ بِالْمَنِّ وَالْأَذَىٰ كَالَّذِي يُنْفِقُ مَالَهُ رِئَاءَ النَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۖ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ صَفْوَانٍ عَلَيْهِ تُرَابٌ فَأَصَابَهُ وَابِلٌ فَتَرَكَهُ صَلْدًا ۖ لَا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ مِمَّا كَسَبُوا ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ ﴿٢٦٤﴾

The text: Surah Al-Baqara (2), verse 271 إِنْ تُبْدُوا الصَّدَقَاتِ فَنِعِمَّا هِيَ ۖ وَإِنْ تُخْفُوهَا وَتُؤْتُوهَا الْفُقَرَاءَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ ۚ وَيُكَفِّرُ عَنْكُمْ مِنْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ ﴿٢٧١﴾

Meaning: 2:261-262: "Those who spend their wealth in the path of Allah are like a grain that produces seven ears, each ear bearing a hundred grains; Allah multiplies for whom He wills; Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing. Those who spend their wealth in the path of Allah and do not follow what they have spent with reminders of the favour or with harm will have their reward with their Lord; they will have no fear, nor will they grieve." 2:264: "O you who believe! Do not cancel your charities with reminders of the favour and harm, like the one who spends his wealth to be seen by people and believes neither in Allah nor in the Last Day: he is like a rock covered with soil; a downpour strikes it and leaves it bare…" 2:271: "If you give your charities openly, it is good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you, and He will remove some of your misdeeds. Allah is fully aware of what you do."

Arabic text: Tanzil Quran Text (Simple, version 1.0.2), © 2008-2010 Tanzil.net, Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence, reproduced without any change (http://tanzil.net). Each verse is on its own line, followed by its number; the basmala, which the Tanzil file places at the start of the first verse, is written on its own line.

Understanding the lesson

Explanation Zakaat is the obligatory minimum; ṣadaqa is the space of generosity. The first is calculated, the second is cultivated. Islam encourages a believer who is not content with paying what is due, but who gives regularly, discreetly and joyfully. Verses 2:261-271 form a small complete lesson on giving: it multiplies with Allah, it can be cancelled by pride and reproaches, it is better in secret, and it must come from what is good. The hadith on the best charity adds a psychological truth: giving has the most value when one is still attached to money, not when one no longer needs it. Ṣadaqa also has an order: first those one supports, then relatives, then others. Giving to strangers while leaving one's family in need is not the generosity Islam teaches.

Lessons to draw from it • Set up a regular donation, even a small one, every week or month. • Give at least part in secret. • Never remind anyone of what you gave them. • Check a fundraiser before taking part. • Give also of your time and skills.

Key points to remember • Ṣadaqa: voluntary charity, with no threshold or rate; it proves sincerity (ṣidq). • "Charity does not decrease wealth in any way" (Muslim 2588). • Secrecy is better (2:271); reminding of the favour cancels the reward (2:264). • The best charity: given while healthy, when one is attached to money (Bukhari 1419, Muslim 1032). • Begin with those you support (Bukhari 1426).

The main message Zakaat is a right to return; ṣadaqa is a heart to open: give regularly, discreetly, of what you love, and without ever hurting.