(بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم، والصلاة والسلام على حبيبنا محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم وعلى من اتبع صراطه المستقيم.) In the name of Allah (سُبْحَانَ ٱللَّٰهِ), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and upon all those who follow his righteous path.
Dear Readers,
(السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته.) May Peace, Mercy, and Blessings of Allah be upon you.
In the noble tradition of our faith (دين), charity (صدقة) and the obligatory zakāt (الزكاة) stand among the most exalted means by which a believer manifests sincere compassion towards the creation, earnestly seeks the forgiveness and pleasure of Allāh (سُبْحَانَ ٱللَّٰهِ), and purifies both wealth and soul from the stains of heedlessness and attachment to the world.
Indeed, the giving of charity is not merely recommended; it is one of the foundational pillars upon which the entire edifice of Islamic faith and civilization has been raised, as repeatedly emphasized in the Qur’ān al-Karīm and the blessed Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (ﷺ). Muslims believe that one’s wealth is a gift from Allah, and it should be shared generously with the less fortunate.
Furthermore, we shall reflect upon the tremendous spiritual and societal importance of reviving this noble sunnah in our times and offer practical guidance for Islamic organizations, mosques, and da’wah (الدعوة) councils on how to inspire the Muslim community (الأمة الإسلامية) towards greater generosity so that rivers of welfare (خير) may once again flow abundantly through our communities (إن شاء الله).
Let us begin this blessed journey into the oceans of mercy, seeking only the Countenance of Allāh, the Most Generous.
Table of Contents:
❤️ The Importance of Charity in Islam
💛 Benefits of Charitable Giving
🤎 Different Forms of Charity in Islam
☑️ Zakat (الزكاة)
☑️ Sadaqah (الصدقة)
☑️ Sadaqah Jariyah (صدقة جارية)
☑️Kaffarah (الكفارة)
☑️ Hibah (هبة)
☑️ Lillah (ليلاه)
☑️Fidya (فدية)
☑️Qurbani (قرباني)
🖤 Call to Action
❤️ The Importance of Charity in Islam:
Charity, also referred to as sadaqah (الصدقة), is a cornerstone of the Islamic faith. Charity comes in both voluntary and involuntary forms, but ultimately offers a wealth of benefits and is important for every Muslim.
More than six million people have benefited from zakat donations made to the UNHCR’s Zakat Refugee Fund. Muslim Americans give an estimated $1.8 billion in zakat every year. A whopping $46 million was raised through Islamic philanthropy in 2023 alone. U.K. Muslims give 4.3x more than the national British average.
💛 Benefits of Charitable Giving:
Wondering why charity is so important in Islam? There are various hadith (sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad) that highlight the importance of charitable giving.
Allah greatly rewards acts of compassion and kindness. Allāh has opened through the act of giving, reminding us of His noble promise: "The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allāh is as the likeness of a grain of corn that sprouts seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. And Allāh multiplies for whom He wills.” (Al-Baqarah 2:261)
Here are some of the benefits of giving charity in Islam:
🔶 Reduce poverty and human suffering:
By giving sadaqah to the poor and needy, Muslims can help alleviate suffering and hardship within the Muslim community (الأمة الإسلامية). This helps ensure social justice.
🔶 Cleanse the soul:
One of the benefits of giving charity in Islam is the purification of wealth and the soul. By sharing one’s wealth with the less fortunate, one gains Allah’s favor for being selfless and not withholding blessings out of pride or arrogance.
🔶Spiritual rewards on the Day of Judgment:
According to hadith on charity in Islam, “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” Giving charity provides protection, blessings, and the ultimate reward of entering paradise (الجنة).
🔶 Sense of community:
Through charity, Muslims can foster stronger bonds and create a sense of unity among the ummah.
🤎 Different Forms of Charity in Islam:
The forms of charity in Islam are numerous and beautifully varied—ranging from the obligatory zakāt (الزكاة), the voluntary sadaqah (الصدقة), the perpetual sadaqah jāriyah (صدقة جارية), and also smiling in the face of one’s brother, the removal of harm from the path, and even the kind word—all of them avenues of divine mercy and spiritual elevation. In this humble article, by the grace of Allāh (سُبْحَانَ ٱللَّٰهِ), we shall explore each of these blessed categories in detail: their rulings according to the Qur’ān and authentic Sunnah, their profound wisdom, their immense rewards in this life and the Hereafter, and the proper etiquette of bestowing them.
☑️ Zakat (الزكاة):
This form of almsgiving is compulsory for all qualifying Muslims and is one of the five pillars of Islam. As a Muslim, you must give away 2.5% of your excess in the form of zakat if your wealth exceeds the nisab threshold within one lunar year.
Zakat differs from zakat al-fitr, a specific type of zakat given during the month of Ramadan.
☑️ Sadaqah (الصدقة):
Sadaqah is the general term used for giving charity in Islam. This form of charity encompasses all the good deeds a Muslim can do for the ummah, while growing closer to Allah in the process.
Therefore, sadaqah can be given in the following ways:
✔️ Donating money to the less fortunate✔️ Sharing food✔️ Spreading knowledge✔️ General acts of kindness toward others
☑️ Sadaqah Jariyah (صدقة جارية):
Translated to “ongoing charity,” sadaqah jariyah is a charitable act that continues to benefit others and earn rewards for the giver even after he or she dies. This form of continuous charity in Islam provides ongoing rewards.
Examples of sadaqah jariyah include:
✔️ Sponsoring an orphan or needy child with an education✔️ Setting up a pump to provide access to safe drinking water✔️ Spreading knowledge through teaching or✔️ Donating religious materials✔️ Planting trees✔️ Contributing toward the construction of a masjid or institute
☑️Kaffarah (الكفارة):
Kaffarah refers to an atonement for specific sins, including intentionally breaking a fast during Ramadan or breaking an oath.
It is given in different forms depending on the sin committed. For example, if a Muslim breaks their fast during Ramadan, they must fast for 60 consecutive days. If they are unable to do so, they must feed 60 needy people by providing food or donating money to an Islamic organization.
☑️ Hibah (هبة):
As a voluntary form of charity in Islam, hibah is a gift of property or assets made by a living donor. It is donated without any expectation of anything in return.
An example of hibah is when a donor gives money or property to a charity. The organization does not have to be an Islamic organization.
☑️ Lillah (ليلاه) :
In Islam, lillah is a form of charity given to please Allah. In Arabic, lillah translates to “for Allah.”
Lillah can be given to individuals or groups, such as families. It can also be donated to a Muslim charity or masjid. The reward for this form of charity is purification and a relationship with Allah.
This is one of the most sincere forms of sadaqah, and there is no set amount or limit on how much lillah to give.
☑️Fidya (فدية) :
This is a charitable donation made to atone for missed fasts during Ramadan. Unlike kaffarah, fidya is a form of charity for missing a fast for a valid reason, such as pregnancy, old age, or illness.
The compensation for fidya is equivalent to feeding one person for every day a fast was missed.
☑️Qurbani (قرباني) :
Qurbani translates to “sacrifice” and refers to the slaughtering of a livestock animal during Eid Al-Adha, which follows Dhul Hijjah. The qurbani meat is divided equally among family, friends, and the less fortunate. Qurbani is obligatory for all those who are financially capable of performing it. This type of charity can also be given in the form of money and donated to a trustworthy Islamic organization that will distribute qurbani amongst the poor.
🖤 Call to Action:
May the Almighty bestow upon us the divine guidance (توفيق) to grasp the true essence of his commands and enable us to practice them with unwavering devotion and unblemished intention (نية). Aa-min.
#Charity, #Donation, #Islam, #Religion, #Spiritual
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Disclaimer:
This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. It is important to seek help from a qualified professional.
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