Allah has
provided humans with countless ways of earning blessings and rewards. The
religion Islam is so simple that every good act committed by a Muslim is
rewarded with countless blessings. These blessings are helpful not only in the
worldly life but also in the hereafter.
Any
Muslim man or woman can give several types of charity. Zakat is an obligatory
charity that Muslims are supposed to give annually. Sadqah, on the other hand,
is a form of voluntary charity with no restrictions or rulings attached to it.
It can be anything from giving a smile to a passerby to giving away monetary
donations.
Narrated
`Aisha Radiyallahu Anha:
The Prophet (ﷺ) was
asked, "What deeds are loved most by Allah?" He said, "The most
regular constant deeds even though they may be few." He added, 'Don't take
upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability."
Mentions
of Salah and Charity Together
وَاَقِيْمُوا الصَّلٰوۃَ
وَاٰتُوا الزَّكٰوۃَ وَارْكَعُوْا مَعَ الرّٰكِعِيْن
Be firm in devotion; give zakat
(the due share of your wealth for the welfare of others), and bow with those
who bow (before God).
The Quran
mentions the words Zakat (an obligatory charity) 33 times within the
translation, and 28 of these instruct Muslims to observe Salah and give
charity. This is a clear indication that spiritually, Salah and Sadqa or Zakat
are inseparable. But why does the Quran mention both of these together so many
times?
Suppose
you offer your Salah five times daily at your own respective time. For
current prayer timings, click here. However, you never give a penny to charity or care about others
in your home or office. Now, what are the implications of such an act? How can
a person expect Allah to be merciful when you are not compassionate with other
beings on the Earth?
A person
who does not give away charity is hoarding the wealth and bounty that Allah has
blessed him with. Now, think of the other way around. What if you were good to
people and gave lots of charity, but never once did you offer prayers? Then why
would you be helping the poor? Is it for public approval? Without Salah, you
will never know whom to give and how to give. Allah does not want us to waste
our money by giving it to anyone we see.
So give
to your relatives what is their due, and to those who are needy, and the
wayfarers; and do not dissipate (your wealth) extravagantly. Those who
dissipate (their wealth) are the brethren of the devils, and the Devil was
ungrateful to his Lord.
These are
just some reasons why Salah and Sadqa go hand in hand, for these are the pillars
of Islam.
How
to Incorporate Acts of Kindness with Salah?
We live busy
and hectic lives, and in such a routine, managing and giving away charity
becomes difficult. We often forget to include charity in our daily lives. It is
advisable to set personal goals that are achievable for the month that is about
to start.
By
setting out these goals, you will be able to offer Salah and perform these acts
of kindness. At the end of every month, you can evaluate what you have and
start preparing a schedule for the next month. Here are a few tips on combining
salah with acts of charity throughout the month.
1. Making a Sadqah Box
Charity
is an optional duty of every Muslim. Create a sadqah box in your home and make
a routine to add a fixed amount to the box every morning when you get up for
your Fajr prayers. Encourage your family members to do the same. Teach your
children about the importance of donation so they can carry forward this act of
charity.
Such acts
help to create a positive spirit in the household and give the children a
chance to learn about charity from an early age. When the month ends, you can
give this box of sadqah to anyone deserving or needy.
2. Participate in the Building of a
Mosque
If you go
to offer your prayers in a masjid, you must give away a certain amount of
charity to the building of that mosque. Most of these buildings require
constant renovation, and funds can help them. Additionally, contributing or
giving funds to build a mosque is considered Sadqa Jariya.
Abu
Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When
a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah
(ceaseless charity); a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant
who prays for him (for the deceased)."
Alternatively,
you can also volunteer at the mosque as a volunteer laborer. Contact the mosque
administration to learn about any such help that they may need. Building a
mosque, school, or hospital is also considered sadqah jariya in Islam.
3. Do an Act
of Kindness Daily
Narrated
Jabir bin `Abdullah:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
Enjoining, all that is good is a Sadaqa."
Charity
is never about giving away monetary help to anyone. If you lend a helping hand,
say a kind word, or give sincere advice to anyone, it is also considered a form
of sadqa. It is essential to ensure you always do a good deed for others in
your daily routine. When you are in your workplace, talking with your friends,
never hurt them and always treat them kindly; that is also a type of charity.
4. Spend Time
With Your Family
Whenever
you are home and have had your meal, take some time from your busy routine and
spend time with your family and children. Talk to them, play with them, and act
kindly with them, for these acts are also a type of charity in the eyes of
Allah.
Narrated
Abu Mas'ud:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
"If a man spends on his family (with the intention of having a reward from
Allah) sincerely for Allah's sake, then it is a(kind of) alms-giving in reward
for him.
Other
Types of Sadqa That You Can Incorporate Into Your Daily Life
- Feeding others
- Making dua for others
- Being kind to animals
- Visiting and caring for the sick
- Giving directions to those who are lost
- Smiling at others
- Teaching someone a valuable skill or knowledge
- Planting a tree
The
Takeaway
If you
truly wish to achieve Allah's bounty of blessings in this world and on the day
of judgment, it is highly recommended that you carry out these two acts of
worship regularly. Apart from showing belief in the Quran and Sunnah, they are
also a testament to our faith.
For
someone who thinks they cannot afford to give away charity, remember that even
giving directions to a lost person is a form of sadqa. Moreover, giving away a
monetary form of sadqa will never reduce your wealth.
Abu
Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
"Charity does not decrease wealth, no one forgives another
except that Allah increases his honor, and no one humbles himself for the sake
of Allah except that Allah raises his status."
By following the teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah, you can start to contribute positively to society and build a deeper spiritual connection with Allah.
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