By Haruna Razaq

Sadaqah is a voluntary charity given by individuals to relieve problems and sufferings of fellow-human beings. In other words, the word sadaqah may be applied to all kinds of good deeds. In line with Hadiths narrated by Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (RA) and recorded by Al-Bukhaari. Sadaqah can performed in different forms, such as in money, food, clothings to the needy; slaughtering of animals and giving away the meat to the poor; supporting good Islamic causes such as building mosques, schools, orphanages; providing sources of water.

Sources ofwater

There are a lot of benefits in sadaqah. One of it is that it acts together with other good deeds to not only prevent evil, but also bring good to the giver. Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said:

The secret sadaqah extinguishes the Lord’s anger; preserving the ties of kinship increases the life span; and rendering good for people protects from evilfatalities (al- Baihaqi, Ibn Askar and others; authenticated by Al-Albani in as-Sahihah no.1908 and Sahihah ul-Jami‘ no. 3760).

Abu Umamah (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: Treat your sick with sadaqah (Abu sh-Shaikh; verified to be Hasan by Al-Albani in Sahihah ul-Jami‘ no. 3358 and Sahih ut-Targhib wat-Tarhib no. 744). Before sadaqah can benefit the giver, it must be done in line with the dictates of shari’ah and must be free from all non Islamic practices common among the present Muslims more importantly in Nigeria.

Islamic manners of giving out sadaqah include the following: To give out sadaqah after the payment of Zakat (if he/she is liable to pay it (Zakat); must give it out because of Allah; to give it out secretly if possible; to start giving it out with his/her family; and then those who are near to him; to give to those who request as well as those who do not request; to give when one is in need and healthy and not when one is about to die; must be free from shirk acts such as giving it out under the advice of fortune tellers (Muslim or non-Muslim).

Such advices include: giving it out with certain items (e.g. sugar, salt, slaughtering of animal. sometimes including harram (forbidden) things such as dog, pig, alcohol, etc); giving it out in specific time (e.g. midnight), place (e.g. T- junction, grave side); day (e.g. Thursday); or creature (e.g. spirit or animal) etc; giving certain food items as sadaqah by twins’ parents or twins themselves etc. You can give sadaqah with your wealth as mentioned earlier or body.