Sadaqah means voluntary charity, it is a form of a good deed that is commonly practised by Muslims all around the world. It’s often carried out before major milestones such as starting a new job or buying a new home or like myself as part of my daily routine. An act of giving, which gains rewards and protection from Allah (swt).
There are many forms or acts of sadaqah, and it’s not limited to giving money or part of your wealth. Therefore every Muslim can earn rewards from Allah (swt). Sadaqah is an easy way to increase our eeman (beliefs). Every Muslim whether poor or wealthy can give sadaqah at all times. The Prophet (pbuh) tells us that even dhikr (remembrance of Allah) is also a form of sadaqah.
In the following Hadith; Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) said: “To smile in the company of your brother is charity. To practice good deeds and to prevent others from doing evil is charity. To guide a person in a place where he can not get astray is charity. To remove troublesome things like thorns and bones from the road is charity. To pour water from your jug into the jug of your brother is charity. To guide a person with defective vision is a charity for you.” (Bukhari)
Thus the reward is also not accounted by the value of sadaqah but the intention, which is best advised to be pure and with Takwa – which means utter faith and trust in Allah that he will accept your charity.
Sadaqah Jariyah however is known as the best form of charity. It means a continuous, flowing and ongoing charity. It is one of the most rewarding acts we can do in our lives as the benefits of giving this type of charity can be reaped in this lifetime and the hereafter. So it’s the type of charity that keeps on giving.
The following famous Hadith gives us the account that even after our death, Sadaqah Jariyah continues to benefit us:
On the authority of Abu Hurairah (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, ‘When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: Sadaqah Jariyah (a continuous charity), or knowledge from which benefit is gained, or a righteous child who prays for him’. (Muslim)
Both forms of sadaqah are great but to put it simply, ‘Sadaqah’ on its own will benefit the recipient on a single occasion and will count as one good deed for the giver. On the other hand, Sadaqah Jariyah will benefit the recipients more than once and that good deed will continue rewarding you even after your death.
For example, giving someone something to eat is a Sadaqah and will benefit that person in that moment whereas planting a tree where people can farm and grow supplies is a Sadaqah Jariyah and will benefit people for generations to come and in turn will continue benefiting you in this life and the next in sha’ Allah.
Our beautiful transparent Sadaqah box is perfect for those daily donations or even to set aside for sadaqah jariyah, as not only is it elegant on design but you can keep track of your charity or savings.
