In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

The meaning of Sadaqah

By Shaykh Saalih bin Abdul-Azeez ala shaykh may Allah preserve him

The shaykh says in his explanation of Imaam Nawawi’s Arba’een Nawaweeyah under the 25th hadith:

Sadaqah in the Sharee’ah is not only charity by wealth, because charity by wealth is a type from different types of sadaqah.

The meaning of sadaqah is:attaining good and benefiting others

For this, Allah is described as being charitable to His slaves. Just as what has been reported in  Saheeh Muslim that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked by his companions about the issue of shortening the prayer while traveling. They said, “O Messenger of Allah, we are now safe and secure, but Allah said in Surah Nisaa:

‏‏ لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَنْ تَقْصُرُوا، مِنَ الصَّلاَةِ إِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَنْ يَفْتِنَكُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ‏

‘There is no sin on you if you shorten salah and if you fear that the disbelievers may put you in trial (attack you). But now the people are safe.’ [verse 101]

The Messenger of Allah said,

صَدَقَةٌ تَصَدَّقَ اللَّهُ بِهَا عَلَيْكُمْ فَاقْبَلُوا صَدَقَتَهُ

‘This is a favor from Allah to you, so accept His favor.’” [Muslim]

So Allah gave His slaves a favor (the word the Prophet used was sadaqah) with the meaning that they obtained good that benefited them. Therefore, sadaqah is attaining good and benefiting others by it and there are numerous ways to do this.

Translated by: Michael AbdusSalaam Deonarain

الفقير الى الله