In Islam, the act of giving in charity, known as Sadaqah, is deeply ingrained in the teachings of the Quran and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This article serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the significance of charity in Islam, as elucidated through 66 Hadiths and Quranic verses. Through these sacred texts, Muslims are encouraged to embody compassion, generosity, and social responsibility, reflecting their commitment to worshiping Allah and serving humanity. Join us on this enlightening journey as we delve into the virtues, rewards, and various forms of charity in Islam, and explore its enduring relevance in today’s world.
- “The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.” (Quran, 2:261)
- “Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned.” (Quran, 2:245)
- “Spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, ‘My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous.’ But never will Allah delay a soul when its time has come. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.” (Quran, 63:10-11)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Every day the sun rises, charity is due on every joint of a person: administering justice between two people is charity, helping a man to mount his animal or lifting his luggage onto it is charity, and a good word is charity. Every step you take towards prayer is charity, and removing harmful things from the road is charity.” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Allah said: Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
- Abu Huraira reported: A man said to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, “Advise me.” The Prophet said, “Do not become angry.” The man repeated his request several times, and the Prophet said, “Do not become angry.” (Sahih Bukhari)
- These verses and Hadiths emphasize the importance of spending in the way of Allah, promising manifold rewards for those who give charity and encouraging acts of kindness and generosity in various forms.
- “Those who spend their wealth [in Allah’s way] by night and by day, secretly and publicly – they will have their reward with their Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.” (Quran, 2:274)
- “The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely. The ones who establish prayer, and from what We have provided them, they spend. Those are the believers, truly. For them are degrees [of high position] with their Lord and forgiveness and noble provision.” (Quran, 8:2-4)
- “And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [saying], ‘We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.'” (Quran, 76:8-9)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “A man giving a dirham as Sadaqah (charity) during his life is better than giving one hundred dirhams as charity at the moment of his death.” (Sahih Muslim)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Save yourself from Hellfire even by giving half a date in charity.” (Sahih Bukhari)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best charity is that given when one has surplus wealth, and the upper hand is better than the lower hand (i.e., giving with grace and without causing hurt).” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
- “And whatever you spend of expenditures or make of vows – indeed, Allah knows of it. And for the wrongdoers there are no helpers.” (Quran, 2:270)
- “The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.” (Quran, 2:261)
- “And the example of those who spend their wealth seeking means to the approval of Allah and assuring [reward for] themselves is like a garden on high ground which is hit by a downpour – so it yields its fruits in double. And [even] if it is not hit by a downpour, then a drizzle [is sufficient]. And Allah, of what you do, is Seeing.” (Quran, 2:265)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, 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.” (Sahih Muslim)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: Sadaqah Jariyah (a continuous charity), knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him.” (Sahih Muslim)
- “And establish prayer and give Zakah and whatever good you put forward for yourselves – you will find it with Allah. Indeed, Allah of what you do, is Seeing.” (Quran, 2:110)
- “Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give Zakah will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.” (Quran, 2:277)
- “The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.” (Quran, 2:261)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The upper hand is better than the lower hand (i.e., giving with grace and without causing hurt); and begin (charity) with those who are dependent on you.” (Sahih Muslim)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “A charity is due for every joint in each person on every day the sun comes up: to act 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; a good word is a charity; every step you take towards prayer is a charity; and removing a harmful thing from the road is a charity.” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings – for Allah does not accept anything but that which is good – then Allah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain.” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
- These additional Quranic verses and Hadiths further underline the importance of charity in Islam and its significance in the eyes of Allah. They also provide guidance on the virtues of giving with sincerity and kindness.
- “And those who believe in Allah and His messengers – they are the truthful and the witnesses in the sight of their Lord. They will have their reward and their light. But those who disbelieve and deny Our verses – those are the companions of Hellfire.” (Quran, 57:19)
- “The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a grain of corn that sprouts seven ears, and in every ear there are a hundred grains. Thus Allah multiplies the action of whomsoever He wills. Allah is Munificent, All-Knowing.” (Quran, 2:261)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Every day two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, ‘O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause,’ and the other (angel) says, ‘O Allah! Destroy every miser.'” (Sahih Bukhari)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If anyone gives in charity something equal to a date from his honestly earned money – for nothing ascends to Allah except good – then Allah will take it in His Right (Hand) and bring it up for its owner as anyone of you brings up a baby horse, until it becomes like a mountain.” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
- “And whatever you spend of expenditures or make of vows – indeed, Allah knows of it. And for the wrongdoers there are no helpers.” (Quran, 2:270)
- “Believe in Allah and His Messenger and spend out of that in which He has made you successors. For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward.” (Quran, 57:7)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Save yourself from Hellfire even by giving half a date in charity.” (Sahih Bukhari)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best charity is that given when one has surplus wealth, and the upper hand is better than the lower hand (i.e., giving with grace and without causing hurt).” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, 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.” (Sahih Muslim)
- “And establish prayer and give Zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].” (Quran, 2:43)
- “O you who have believed, spend from that which We have provided for you before there comes a Day in which there is no exchange and no friendship and no intercession. And the disbelievers – they are the wrongdoers.” (Quran, 2:254)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Every act of goodness is charity.” (Sahih Muslim)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best charity is that which is practiced by a wealthy person. And start giving first to your dependents.” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
- “And establish prayer and give Zakah, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves – you will find it with Allah. Indeed, Allah of what you do, is Seeing.” (Quran, 2:110)
- “Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan – it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward.” (Quran, 57:18)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “A man giving a dirham as Sadaqah (charity) during his life is better than giving one hundred dirhams as charity at the moment of his death.” (Sahih Muslim)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The upper hand is better than the lower hand (i.e., giving with grace and without causing hurt); and begin (charity) with those who are dependent on you.” (Sahih Muslim)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “A charity is due for every joint in each person on every day the sun comes up: to act 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; a good word is a charity; every step you take towards prayer is a charity; and removing a harmful thing from the road is a charity.” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
- “And those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, justly moderate.” (Quran, 25:67)
- “O you who have believed, indeed many of the scholars and the monks devour the wealth of people unjustly and avert [them] from the way of Allah. And those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah – give them tidings of a painful punishment.” (Quran, 9:34)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Allah said: ‘Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.'” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best charity is that given when one has surplus wealth, and the upper hand is better than the lower hand (i.e., giving with grace and without causing hurt).” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)
- “And those who are patient, seeking the countenance of their Lord, and establish prayer and spend from what We have provided for them secretly and publicly and prevent evil with good – those will have the good consequence of [this] home.” (Quran, 13:22)
- “Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allah and establish prayer and spend [in His cause] out of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, [can] expect a transaction [i.e., profit] that will never perish.” (Quran, 35:29)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: Sadaqah Jariyah (a continuous charity), knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him.” (Sahih Muslim)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “A man said to the Prophet, ‘Advise me!’ The Prophet said, ‘Do not become angry.’ The man repeated his request several times, and the Prophet said, ‘Do not become angry.'” (Sahih Bukhari)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)
- “And those within whose wealth is a known right for the petitioner and the deprived.” (Quran, 70:24-25)
- “The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.” (Quran, 2:261)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, 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.” (Sahih Muslim)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Every day the sun rises, charity is due on every joint of a person: administering justice between two people is charity, helping a man to mount his animal or lifting his luggage onto it is charity, and a good word is charity. Every step you take towards prayer is charity, and removing harmful things from the road is charity.” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The upper hand is better than the lower hand (i.e., giving with grace and without causing hurt); and begin (charity) with those who are dependent on you.” (Sahih Muslim)
- “And whatever you spend of expenditures or make of vows – indeed, Allah knows of it. And for the wrongdoers there are no helpers.” (Quran, 2:270)
- “Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and then do not follow up what they have spent with reminders [of it] or [other] injury will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.” (Quran, 2:262)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Every act of goodness is charity.” (Sahih Muslim)
- Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best charity is that given when one has surplus wealth, and the upper hand is better than the lower hand (i.e., giving with grace and without causing hurt).” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
