344. Forms Of Sadaqah

By Asma Bint Shameem

Sadaqah can be in the form of slaughtering an animal and giving the meat to the poor. 

But to think that sadaqah is ONLY done by slaughtering an animal is wrong. 

And to think there’s special virtue in slaughtering a *specific* kind of animal or color or in a specific way, etc is also wrong. 

Also to think that slaughtering the animal will ‘ward off harm’ is also wrong. 

We can slaughter an animal if we want to do it as a means of coming CLOSE to Allaah, as an act of IBAADAH, as a means of showing Him gratefulness, as an act of charity, etc. 

Slaughtering with such intentions is allowed. 

And in the hope that Allaah will accept this act of worship and because of that He will accept my duaa or solve my problems, or heal my sickness, etc. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“A fitnah (trail) which a man faces with regard to his family, his wealth, his own self, his son and his neighbor is expiated by fasting, prayer, charity, enjoining good and forbidding evil.’ [al-Bukhari, Muslim]

1. But sadaqah is in MANY forms and not just by sacrificing an animal. 

Basically ANY good deed that you’ll do, for the sake of Allaah, that was not obligatory on you, is sadaqah. 

So smiling when you greet someone is sadaqah. 

Saying Salam is sadaqah.

Praying for someone is sadaqah. 

Helping someone is sadaqah. 

Teaching someone beneficial Islaamic knowledge is sadaqah. 

Reconciling between people is sadaqah

Providing for your family is sadaqah. 

Even having intimacy with your spouse is sadaqah!

There are numerous ahadeeth on this subject, too many to count. 

I’ll quote some of them 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Every Muslim has to give in sadqa (charity).” 

The people asked, 
“O Messenger of Allaah! 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.” 

(al-Bukhaari 2/524)

2. “There is a Sadaqah to be given for every joint of the human body (as a sign of gratitude to Allaah) everyday the sun rises. 

To judge justly between two persons is regarded as Sadaqah, and to help a man concerning his riding animal by helping him to ride it or by lifting his luggage on to it, is also regarded as Sadaqah, and (saying) a good word is also Sadaqah, and every step taken on one’s way to offer the compulsory prayer (in the mosque) is also Sadaqah and to remove a harmful thing from the way is also Sadaqah.” 

(al-Bukhari 2989)

3.  “When a Muslim spends something on his family intending to receive Allaah’s reward it is regarded as Sadaqah for him.” 

(al-Bukhaari 5351)

4. Some of the people from among the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

said to him: 

“O Messenger of Allaah, the rich have taken away (all the) reward. 

They observe prayer as we do; they keep the fasts as we keep, and they give Sadaqah out of their surplus riches. Upon this he said: 

“Has Allaah not prescribed for you (a course) by following which you can (also) do sadaqah? 

In every declaration of the glorification of Allah (saying Subhan Allah) there is a Sadaqah, and every Takbeer (saying Allaahu Akbar) is a sadaqah, and every praise of His (saying Alhamdulillaah) is a Sadaqah and every declaration that He is One (La ilaha ill-Allah) is a sadaqah, and enjoining of good is a sadaqah, and forbidding of that which is evil is a sadaqah, and in man’s sexual intercourse (with his wife, ) there is a sadaqah. 

They (the Companions) said: 

“O Messenger of Allaah, is there reward for him who satisfies his sexual passion among us? 

He Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

Tell me, if he were to devote it to something forbidden, would it not be a sin on his part? Similarly, if he were to devote it to something lawful, he should have a reward.” (Muslim 1006)

And Allaah knows best