The Virtues and Rewards of Charity (Sadaqah) in Islam

Compiled by: Abu Ammar Umar Farooq Saeedi (Hafizahullah)

The Virtue of Sadaqah​

Prayers of Angels:
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

"Every day when people give in charity, two angels descend. One says: 'O Allah! Grant a substitute to the one who spends,' and the other says: 'O Allah! Ruin the wealth of the miser.'"

[Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim 2336]

Acceptance of Charity by Allah​

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reports that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

"When any of you gives a date in charity from his lawful earnings, Allah accepts it with His right hand and nurtures it, just as you would raise a foal or camel, until it becomes like a mountain or even greater."

[Sahih Muslim 2343]

Seizing the Opportunity to Give Charity​

Hazrat Harithah bin Wahb (رضي الله عنه) narrates that he heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say:

"Give charity, for a time is coming when a person will walk with his charity, and the one to whom it is offered will say, 'If you had come yesterday, I would have accepted it, but now I have no need for it,' and he will not find anyone to accept it."

[Sahih Muslim 2337]

Do Not Worry About the Amount When Giving Charity​

Hazrat 'Adi bin Hatim (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) once mentioned the Fire of Hell and sought refuge from it. While saying this, he turned his face away and did this thrice, then he said:

"Protect yourselves from the Fire, even if with half a date, and if that is not available, then with a kind word."

[Muttafaqun Alaih]

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) further narrates that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:"I do not like that I should have gold equal to Mount Uhud and have even a single dinar left after three nights, except what I keep for repaying a debt."

[Muttafaqun Alaih]

Sadaqah - A Shade Provided by Allah​

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reports from the Prophet (ﷺ):

"Seven kinds of people will be shaded by Allah in His Shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His:

➊ A just ruler.
➋ A young man who grew up in the worship of his Lord.
➌ A man whose heart is attached to the mosques.
➍ Two men who love each other for the sake of Allah, meeting and parting for that reason.
➎ A man whom a woman of noble birth and beauty tries to seduce, but he says, 'I fear Allah.'
➏ A person who gives charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given.
➐ A person who remembers Allah in solitude, and his eyes overflow with tears."


[Sahih Bukhari 660]

What is the Best Charity?​

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrates that a man once came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and asked:

"O Messenger of Allah, which charity is the greatest in reward?" He replied, 'It is to give charity while you are healthy, stingy, fearing poverty, and hoping for wealth. Do not delay until when the soul reaches the throat and you begin to say, ‘This much for so-and-so, and that for so-and-so,’ when it has already become the property of another (inherited)."

[Sahih Muslim 2383]

Prioritizing Family When Spending​

Hazrat Abu Umamah (رضي الله عنه) reports that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

"O son of Adam! Spending your surplus wealth is better for you, and holding it back is bad for you. You are not blamed for what is necessary, and begin with those who are dependent on you. The upper hand is better than the lower hand."

[Sahih Muslim 2388]

The 'upper hand' here refers to the one who gives, while the 'lower hand' refers to the one who asks.

Different Forms of Charity​

Hazrat Abu Musa Ash’ari (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

"Every Muslim must give charity." They asked, "O Messenger of Allah, what if he does not have it?" He replied, "Let him help someone in need who is in distress." They said, "If he cannot do that?" He said, "Then let him do good, and refrain from evil, for that is a charity for him."

[Sahih Bukhari 6022]

Special Door of Jannah for Those Who Give in Charity​

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

"Whoever spends a pair (of anything) in the way of Allah will be called from the gates of Paradise, 'O servant of Allah, this is better for you.' The one who is regular in prayer will be called from the gate of prayer, the one who fought in Jihad will be called from the gate of Jihad, the one who gave charity will be called from the gate of Sadaqah, and the one who fasted will be called from the gate of Ar-Rayyan."

Hazrat Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) asked, "O Messenger of Allah! Is there anyone who will be called from all these gates?" He replied, "Yes, and I hope that you will be among them."

[Muttafaqun Alaih]

Incident of Hazrat Abu Talhah (رضي الله عنه)​

Hazrat Anas bin Malik (رضي الله عنه) narrates that Hazrat Abu Talhah (رضي الله عنه) was among the wealthy Ansar of Madinah. The garden he loved most was called "Bairuha," located opposite the mosque, where the Prophet (ﷺ) would often visit and drink its pure water. When the following verse was revealed:

لَن تَنَالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّىٰ تُنفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ

"You will not attain righteousness until you spend from that which you love."
[3:92]

Hazrat Abu Talhah (رضي الله عنه) presented himself before the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said, "O Messenger of Allah! Allah has revealed this verse, and the dearest of my possessions is my garden, Bairuha. I give it in charity for the sake of Allah, hoping for its reward and storage with Him. Please spend it as you deem fit."
The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "Excellent, excellent! This is profitable wealth. I have heard what you said, and I think you should distribute it among your relatives."
Abu Talhah (رضي الله عنه) then distributed it among his relatives and cousins.

[Muttafaqun Alaih]
 
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