When it comes to types of sadaqah, a lot of Muslims associate it with giving out money to the lesser privileged, those in dire need. Known as volunteer charity, Islam marks sadqa as a virtuous deed which indicates one’s faith (iman).
Abu Malik al-Ashari (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAWW) said: “Cleanliness is half of faith. Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) fills the scale. SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah) and Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) fill up what is between the heavens and the earth. Prayer is a light. Charity is proof (of one’s faith). Endurance is a brightness and the Qur‘an is a proof on your behalf or against you. All men go out early in the morning and sell themselves, thereby setting themselves free or destroying themselves.” (Muslim, 432).
As mentioned earlier, sadqa does not indicate giving material possessions or part of Sadqa is not restricted to giving part of our wealth or material possessions or any special deed of righteousness. Islam considers all good deeds as sadqa that increase our eeman:
Abu Musa narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “Every Muslim has to give in sadqa (charity).” The people asked, “O Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.)! If someone has nothing to give, what will he do?” He said, “He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns).” The people further asked, “If he cannot do even that?” He replied, “Then he should help the needy who appeal for help.” Then the people asked, “If he cannot do that?” He replied, “Then he should perform all that is good and keep away from all that is evil and this will be regarded as charitable deeds.” (Bukhari Vol. 2, Hadith 524)
Sadqa is not only linked with money. We often think that taking out money from our earnings are Sadqa, but there are many ways we can do it!
These are the 17 types we can take out about how to give Sadaqah in Islam;
1. Dua:
It is one of the types of Sadaqah. If you are just making dua or praying for the person who you care about or any person who has asked for your dua.
2. Knowledge:
Spreading knowledge among the people who can’t afford it is one of the types of Sadaqah.
3. Advice:
Giving wise advice to your younger siblings or people who are younger than you.
4. To smile at your Muslim brother:
While talking, meeting and greeting the people you meet, smile more.
5. Help:
Help others! Help the poor and help the people who can not help themselves. Solving people problems can also be the thing you can do.
6. Time:
Taking time out of the parents and your wife/husband is also a sadqa.
7. Tarbiyyah:
Nurture (Tarbiyyah), growing up your kids well mannered is also sadqa e jaria.
8. Patience over difficult times:
Be very patient, do not yell about your problems to anyone. Allah will solve them for you.
9. To advise for good:
Advice your misguided friends to be on the path of Allah.
10. To stop from evil:
Do not plan the bad thing, do not hurt or kill any living thing.
11. To talk softly:
Do not be harsh and Rude, Allah does not like Arrogant people.
12. To forgive:
Forgive the people who ask for your forgiveness.
13. To give respect:
Giving respect to elders and youngsters as well as giving credit to the people who deserve it. This is how to do Sadaqah through respect.
14. To be a part of someone’s happiness:
Being happy in someone else’s happiness, DO NOT BE JEALOUS!
15. To visit the sick:
Visiting the sick is also the sunnah of our beloved Prophet (SAWW). You can also look for Sadaqah box ideas and distribute it among the needy. It is also Sadaqah!
16. To remove harmful things from the path:
Such as removing the stone that comes to your way.
17. To guide someone on the right way:
Guiding means, if someone you see is misguided, then guiding that person to right path.
Sharing this is also a Sadaqah!
