Often times when we hear the word “sadaqah”, the word “money” comes to our minds. The monetary aspect of sadaqah is no doubt a critical aspect of sadaqah but there are so many easy and yet meaningful ways we can give charity.
The prophet (PBUH) said, “Every Muslim must give sadaqah.“ People asked “and If he does not find anything to give? He (PBUH) replied “Then he should work his hands, benefit himself and then give sadaqah. They asked “ and if he is unable to or does not do it ? He (pbuh) replied “Then he should help someone with a great need,” They said “ and if he does not do it”? He (PBUH) said “Then he should command the good or command the correct”. They said “and if he does not do it”? He(PBUH) replied “ He should refrain from evil. This is sadaqah for him” (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 225).
The Hadith above proved that we have absolutely no excuse not to engage in one form of charity one way or another. Some of the ways we can engage in sadaqah are as follows;
1. Assisting others with any form of task;
These may involve very casual tasks such as booking for tickets, purchasing drugs from the pharmacy for a family member or friend. It is simply an act of kindness. Do not take any kind of task for granted ,thinking it is very small, the reward in doing such is immense.
2. Smiling at a person:
We all know it feels really nice to be smiled at especially from the people that we don’t even know. A simple smile is appealing to the hearts, hence a type of sadaqah. This is something we need to both encourage more among us as well as dissuade from. Meeting family, friends, and strangers with a pleasant face is a Sunnah as well as sadaqah. But making sure that it is restricted only to people that it is permissible with and not otherwise, is an obligation upon us. A smile can lead to a lot of fitnah, when dealing with the opposite sex, so we just need to be careful about this act of sadaqah and not taint this sunnah.
3. Speaking softly to people:
Speaking gently especially to our spouses and parents is a very comforting thing to do. The prophet (pbuh) was known for his gentle character and we as Muslims all aspire to be like him. Let us make him our role model and try to be like him through speaking gently and softly.
A Good Word like a Good Tree :
"the example of a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches high in the sky. the example of a bad word is like a bad tree, uprooted from the surface of the earth, not having any stability". Quran 14:24–26
4. Clearing the pathway:
By removing harmful objects such as thorns, needles etc from the way are all forms of sadaqah. Next time you see a stone in the middle of the road, a broken glass or a banana peel for that, make an effort to move it out of people’s way. Don’t feel shy or embarrassed, just make your intention and do it. Also ensure that Satan doesn’t get into your way by his whispers. Many a times we want to do these small acts of kindness, but satan tries to corrupt our intention and we end up not doing them
Abu Hurairah (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sas) said,“ Every joint of a person must perform a charity each day that the 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 prayer is a charity, and removing a harmful object from the road is a charity.” Related by Bukhari & Muslim
5. Dhikr of Allah is sadaqat:
Dhikr of Allah is also a form of sadaqa. Saying Subhanallah, wal hamdulillah, wa Laila ha illalla, wallahu Akhbar, are all forms of sadaqat.
Some of the people from among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said to him: Messenger of Allah (pbuh), 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 (pbuh) said: Has Allah not prescribed for you (a course) by following which you can (also) do sadaqa? In every declaration of the glorification of Allah(saying Subhan Allah)there is a Sadaqah, and every Takbir(saying Allah-O-Akbar)is a sadaqah, and every praise of His(saying al-Hamdu Lillah)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: Messenger of Allah (pbuh), is there reward for him who satisfies his sexual passion among us? He (pbuh) 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)
6. Respecting others:
Again another point that goes a long way with our parents and spouse. Respect is key in every relationship. Even our children and housemaids deserve to be respected.
7. Giving your kids good tarbiyya:
Bringing up our children in the best way, showing them what is right from wrong, encouraging them to do good and forbid evil is a form of sadaqah
8. Giving others good advice:
Giving good and meaningful advice goes a long way especially in terms of reconciliation between people or in terms of the pathway to take in life is encouraged
9. Cooking for your Neighbors:
Make simple dishes for your neighbors. There is a lot of barakah in it. Feeding people in general is a form of sadaqat but let us start this simple act of sadaqah with our neighbours.
‘He is not a Muslim whose stomach is full while his neighbour goes hungry.’(Muslim)
10. Saying good prayers for your friends:
Saying prayers to others is a win-win situation because as you pray for others, the angels also pray the same to you.
11.Sharing your knowledge is a Sadaqah
If you know something good, teach it to others, it will be a sadaqah for you. Sharing your knowledge, be that of deen or of duniya, is a sadaqah, an everlasting sadaqah for that.(sadaqatul Jariya).
Signed
BeingMuslimah
photo credits: amuslimmamacomics
Source: zahrat ash shams
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