“Oh! believers, give out of what we have provided for you” Q 2 vs 254

Sadaqah as we all know means charity and Allah (SWT) and His prophet has encouraged us to give lots of sodaqoh not just because of assisting the needy but because of the numerous rewards it encompasses.

We’ve heard stories of the Sahabiyyah who gave their wealth out in Sadaqah till they were left with nothing. Khadijah (R.A) was of great example. She gave out all her wealth in the cause of Islam. The prophet SAW give out lots of money and food and let himself go hungry. Subhanallah !!

“By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you give freely of that which you love, and whatever you give, Allah knows it well” Q 3 vs 92

We plan ahead for tomorrow forgetting Allah owns tomorrow. You wanting to save for tomorrow doesn’t stop you from giving out charity today, even if it’s just a little because you might not even live to see that tomorrow, so start today!! The prophet SAW said, “give out charity even if it’s just half a date”

And for every charity given, there’s a reward .
Those who in charity spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear,nor shall they grieve” Q 2 vs 274.

Perhaps I tell you a little story of mine…

I was in a cab with my mum when someone came in need of help and as at then the amount on me was just #200. After several considerations, I decided to give the person the money putting my trust in Allah as he needed the money than I did.

Some hours after we arrived the destination, one of my sisters came and without asking, gave me #2000 subhaanollah!! Immediately, I was reminded of the Hadith where the Prophet sallallohu ‘alayhi wa salaam reported from Allah(Hadith qudusi) that :”Give out oh son of Adam! I will bless you from my wealth”.

Now let’s take a dive into what Sadaqah holds for whoever strives to do it

BENEFITS OF SADAQAH

The prophet SAW said “Charity erases minor sins (Ibn Majah).
He also said that ” The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity” (Tirmidhi). Therefore, give lots of it.
Charity is also a means of accepting Dua. You can even use it as tawassul to Allah. Tell Him you did this and this not for anyone’s sake but for His, and put forth your Dua.

And do we all know about Q 39 vs 73 where Allah SWT talked about the “Gate of As-sadaqah”
But those who fear their Lord will be admitted to paradise in groups until they reach it while it’s gates have been opened and its keepers say, ” peace be upon you, you have become pure; so enter it to abide eternally therein”

Another benefit of sodaqoh is that it prevents believers from entering hellfire as the Prophet sallallohu ‘alayhi wa sallam said “Oh you believing women, give out (from your wealth) in sodaqoh because I see majority of you (women) in hellfire. نعوذ بالله من ذلك

There is Sadaqatun Jaariyah. It is a type of Sadaqah where you get rewarded even after your death. The prophet SAW said” When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqatin Jaariyah (e.g providing a community with a well where they can always get water or building a mosque ….), a beneficial knowledge or a virtuous descendant who prays for him after his demise”.

Dear brethen in Islam, the prophet (SAW) said “Your smile for your brother is a charity, your removal of stones, thorns or bones from the paths of people is a charity, your guidance of a person who is lost is a charity” (Bukhari)
So ikhwaan, give lots of charity and earn lots of rewards . MOST IMPORTANTLY, do it for Allah’s sake only.
So, won’t you reflect upon these pristine messages and give out today?

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, most of us have the habit of not giving out to those that came to us for assistance just because you think most of them are liars, Note two things:

1. You should do things for Allah’s sake not for people. Therefore, leave them to their own and focus on the reward you want from Allah for doing good deeds.
2. The person might really be in need of your help and you might have just left a needy person. It’s not like they put fake and genuine banners on their head.
Wasalaamun ‘alaykum Wa rahmatullahi Wa barakatuhu.

By Raheemat Aregbesola