Types of sadqah: Charity and financial help of the needy is a core value and acts that are held in great regard in Islamic practice. Such charity is divided into two types in Islamic practice; zakat and sadaqah. Zakat is an obligatory tax that is paid to the needy and is of fixed proportions of one’s wealth and assets. Zakat is obligatory on Muslims, men and women, who own wealth above the nisab threshold for a full lunar year, after meeting basic needs and debts. It can only be given to the eight categories of people mentioned in the Qur’an.
What Are The Different Types Of Sadqah?
In our last post we talked about Islamic Quotes on Charity-Aayahs and hadiths on Sadqah, and today we will be looking at the different types of sadqahs and ways to give sadqah.
Sadaqah is a voluntary act and is paid out of goodness and kindness of heart. It is highly encouraged and emphasized in the Islamic community. Sadaqah is the general name given to financial aid or expenditure that is done in the name of Islam or as an act of worship. There are two broad categories of sadaqah; namely Sadaqah Wajibah and Sadaqah Nafilah. This classification and its terms follow the Hanafi school; other schools may categorise or name some of these items differently. They each have their types and rulings.
3 – Sadaqah Wajibah
Sadaqah Wajibah is mandatory and therefore similar in some ways to zakat. Many of these (such as Fidyah, Kaffarah and Nadhr) are given to those eligible to receive zakat, although some scholars, notably in the Hanafi school, do not require every recipient to be Muslim; Udhiyyah and Dam follow their own rules, described below. Sadaqah Wajibah furtehr includes, Sadaqatul Fitr, Nadhr, Fidyah, Kaffarah, Uddhiyah, Dam and Badanah.
- Sadaqatul Fitr
This is charity and part of Prophet’s PBUH Sunnah with the status of wajib. It is a duty upon every Muslim who has food in excess of their basic needs on the day of Eid, and the head of the household pays on behalf of dependants (the Hanafi school calls it wajib, other schools fard; all agree it is required). it is due to be paid before the Eid prayer. Paying it a day or two before Eid is an established practice of the Companions (Sahih al-Bukhari), so that the needy can enjoy the Eid festivities; the Hanafi school allows even earlier payment, while paying it after the Eid prayer counts only as ordinary charity according to many scholars. The amount paid should be about the value of 1.6 Kg of wheat or 3.2 Kg of barley (this is the Hanafi measure; the Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali schools specify one sa’, roughly 2.5 to 3 Kg, of staple food, and local scholars usually announce the cash equivalent each Ramadan).
- Nadhr/ Religious Vow
This is a type of charity that is self-imposed. If an oath is taken for giving Sadaqah then such a charity becomes a sadaqah wajibah. It is often done to express gratitude or shukr. However, if unpaid will count as a sin and a kaffarah will have to be paid.
- Fidyah
Fidyah is given as compensation for fasts that someone is permanently unable to keep (for example due to old age or chronic illness), and for certain minor violations in Hajj. In the Hanafi school it can also be given on behalf of a deceased person for missed prayers or fasts if he left a bequest; other schools differ, so ask a qualified scholar. its value is the same as sadaqatul fitr, that is, 1.6 Kg of wheat or its value in cash. If a person is deceased and, therefore, could not complete his/her fasts, sadaqah is given out of a third of the deceased’s wealth. Further, sadaqah nafilah can be given on behalf of the deceased or from his/her estate where the giver and deceased is rewarded.
- Kaffarah
This is major compensation, a step above Fidyah. It applies to mistakes and negligence such as breaking fast or oaths intentionally. For deliberately breaking a Ramadan fast without a valid excuse (see things that can and cannot break your fast), the kaffarah is to free a slave (not applicable today) or, failing that, to fast sixty consecutive days, or if unable, to feed sixty poor people (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim). Scholars differ on whether it applies only to intercourse (the Shafi’i and Hanbali view) or also to deliberate eating and drinking (the Hanafi and Maliki view). Kafafarah is further divided into greater and lesser kaffarah, each with its rulings and requirements.
- Udhiyyah
This is also generally referred to as Qurbani or sacrifice. In the Hanafi school it is wajib on every resident adult Muslim who possesses the nisab, while the majority view (Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali) is that it is a strongly emphasised Sunnah; it is performed during the days of Eid ul Adha (see Eid ul Adha and Qurbani rules). It requires the purchase and sacrifice of a sheep, goat, cow or camel in the name of Allah. You can consume the meat of the sacrificed animal yourself and also keep some for your family while distributing the rest among the needy and the poor Muslims.
- Dam and Badannah
Dam is similar to udhiyyah in that it involves sacrificing an animal. It differs, however, in that it is done and carried out by those performing hajj. There are two types of dam; one of which is compulsory on those performing hajj. This is called dam ash-shukr. The second type is of dam is for compensation for mistakes during hajj. Badannah is a larger sacrifice i.e. sacrifice of a large animal and is done in penance to three specific acts.
2 – Sadaqah Nafilah
This is the voluntary and optional form of sadaqah. This includes alms to the poor, philanthropic advents and community service endeavors. There are no specific guidelines for sadaqah nafilah and can be spent on anyone, not just Muslims. It can also be bequeathed in one’s will and, therefore, only be up to one-third of one’s wealth and assets. The following are types of sadaqah nafilah
- Lillah
This is the sadaqah given to institutes or organizations devoted to philanthropy or Islamic education; e.g, madrassahs, masjids, hospitals, schools, trusts e.t.c. This does not require a specific person to obtain possession of the sadaqah payment.
- Waqf
Waqf is the allotment of wealth or assets for a specific cause. It works similarly to trusts and requires trustees to watch over them. It is different from lillah in that ownership is not transcribed to any person or institution rather only benefits are outlined.
- Aqeeqah
This again involves the sacrifice of an animal as gratitude for the birth of a child. The locality and close members of the family can be fed, but preference should be given to the poor.
- Sadaqah for Removing Difficulties/ Forgiveness of Sins
This is done in the name of Allah to seek his refuge and ease the difficulties of life. It is also done to seek the forgiveness of Allah for any negligence and past sins.
1 – Sadaqah Jaariyah
This is sadaqah done in the cause of any long-term goals. e.g building wells and planting fruit-bearing trees. In essence, it is an act that keeps on giving. It can include sponsoring the education of the needy, building mosques, and spreading Islamic awareness.
How to Give Sadqa Without Money?
This type of sadaqah also does not require having capital or money. It can also be in the form of:
- Smiling
- Removing an obstruction from a path
- Giving a good lesson
- Feeding the poor
- Educating someone
- Talking softly
- Giving water to the needy
- Helping orphans and widows
- Showing respect, especially to parents
- Helping others with your time and energy is also counted as sadaqah (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim), and when the help leaves lasting benefit, such as teaching beneficial knowledge, it can continue to earn reward even after one dies (Sahih Muslim).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between zakat and sadaqah?
Zakat is an obligatory annual payment on wealth above the nisab, given to specific categories of recipients. Sadaqah is a broader term covering voluntary charity of any size and any good deed. See zakat in Islam.
Is sadaqah only about money?
No. Hadiths describe smiling, removing harm from the road, speaking kindly and helping others as sadaqah.
Who must pay Sadaqatul Fitr and when?
It is due from Muslims who have food beyond their needs at Eid, and it is paid before the Eid prayer. The measure differs between the schools, so follow a trusted local scholar’s guidance on the amount.
Is Qurbani obligatory?
The Hanafi school considers it wajib on those who own the nisab, while the majority of scholars consider it a strongly emphasised Sunnah. See Qurbani rules.
What is sadaqah jariyah?
It is ongoing charity whose benefit continues, such as digging a well, supporting education or building a mosque. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said its reward continues after death (Sahih Muslim). For personal rulings, ask a qualified scholar.