Types of Sadaqah in Islam
Sadaqah is not just one thing – it takes many forms, all as equally important as each other. Sometimes it looks like a monetary donation. Other times it looks like offering compassion and kindness to others. The beauty of Islam is that it recognises and values both.
Financial Sadaqah
The most common thing we associate with Sadaqah is giving financially, whether that is making donations or giving food, clothing or shelter to those in need. There are lots of ways to offer financial Sadaqah, including sponsoring an orphan, providing emergency aid to those in disaster, helping a vulnerable family build a livelihood or providing nutritious food to those in need.
In today’s world, financial Sadaqah keeps communities alive and has a huge role to play in efforts to eradicate poverty. Financial Sadaqah enables charities like Muslim Charity develop life-changing programmes that tackle hunger and thirst, help communities build sustainable sources of income, respond to disasters and do so much more.
Non-Financial Sadaqah
Not everyone has wealth to donate. This is why Allah encourages us to focus on intention and offers us ways to seek closeness to Him (swt) that does not involve money. Non-financial forms of Sadaqah are available to every single person, all of the time. They are acts of goodness that uplift others, done for the sake of Allah (swt). These can include visiting somebody who is unwell, cooking for others, removing something harmful from the road or giving your time to a community initiative. Sometimes these efforts seem small and insignificant, but their intention magnifies their value and reward.
In this way, everybody can access the blessings and reward of Sadaqah, even if you are unable to offer financial commitment.
Sadaqah Jariyah (Ongoing Impact)
Sadaqah Jariyah is quite possibly the most impactful form of Sadaqah as it is focused on helping those in need for a very long time, ultimately transforming their lives. It is full of blessings, bringing countless rewards to the giver.
In the Qur’an, Sadaqah Jariyah’s long-lasting and multiplying impact is described as:
“…the likeness of a grain of corn, which grows seven ears and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah (swt) gives manifold increase to whomever He pleases.” [2:261]
Prophet Muhammad (saw) reminded us that giving Sadaqah Jariyah is one of the very few actions we can do that will continue to impact us after we die. All else will cease to be of impact, apart from three things: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge and a child who continues to pray for you.
The standout thing about Sadaqah Jariyah is that it is focused on long-term change and support for those in need. It is not helping somebody in the short-term through a single meal or helping them for a short time. Rather, Sadaqah Jariyah projects are based on benefiting people continuously. The rewards for Sadaqah Jariyah are also continuous for the person who has given it.
There are so many examples of Sadaqah Jariyah and here are a few:
- Digging a well that provides clean water for years
- Planting trees
- Building a mosque or school
This type of Sadaqah is not only a gift to others, but a way to leave a legacy that keeps the door of rewards open even in the Hereafter.
