Sadaqah

Apart from having Īmān and performing Salāh, giving Sadaqah is considered to be a fundemental part of our Īmān. The virtues and merits of giving charity are inumerable as Nabi ﷺ encouraged us to love for others what we love for ourselves. WhiledonesoleyforthepleasureofAllāhandasaninvestmentforourbanksinthe Ākhirah,charitybenfitsusinthisworldaswell.

Nabi ﷺ said: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.” (AlTirmidhi)

Nabi ﷺ said: “Avoid doing injustice to others, for on the Day of Judgment, it will turn into manifold darkness, and safeguard yourself against miserliness, for it ruined those who were before you. It incited them to murder and treating the unlawful as lawful.” (Muslim)

Nabi ﷺ said: "When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (continuous charity), knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased)." (Muslim)

Nabi ﷺ said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (AlTirmidhi)

Nabi ﷺ said, “Protect yourself from hell-fire even by giving a piece of date as charity.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Nabi ﷺ said: “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. (Muslim)

Consolation can be taken from the fact that charity has not been restricted to monetary wealth on the basis that this would impose difficulty on those who do not have any wealth or posessions to give in charity. Instead, our most Gracious Allāh has given us ample opportunity to earn the same rewards as those who are by the means to give from their wealth.

Nabiﷺsaid,"Everyjointofapersonmustperformacharityeachdaythatthe sun rises: to judge justly between two people is a charity. To help a man with his mount, lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it, is a charity. And the good word is a charity. And every step that you take towards the prayerisacharity,andremovingaharmfulobjectfromtheroadisacharity."

According to another Hadīth, charity is best given in secret in order to ensure one's sincerity, the Angels make Du'ā for the giver of charity and one would be fulfilling two acts of worship by giving charity to family members; giving charity, and maintaining family ties. SubhānAllāh!

May Allāh make us enthusiastic to spend in His path and allow us the gain close proximity to Him on account of our spending. Âmîn.