Sadaqah is a voluntary act of charity in Islam. The word comes from the Arabic root “sidq”, meaning sincerity, and in its broadest sense it refers to any righteous act performed for the sake of Allah (SWT). It is not limited to monetary donations. A kind word, a smile, helping someone carry their belongings, or removing a harmful object from a path are all considered Sadaqah.

In the modern context, Sadaqah most commonly refers to voluntary financial charity given to those in need, at any time of year and in any amount. It is one of the most beloved acts of worship in Islam and carries immense spiritual reward for the giver.

“Sadaqah extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire.”

Tirmidhi

The literal Arabic translation of Sadaqah is “righteousness”. In everyday Islamic usage, it has come to mean “voluntary charity”. The word is derived from “sidq”, meaning sincerity, which reflects the spirit behind the act. True Sadaqah is given sincerely, without expectation of recognition or return, purely for the sake of Allah (SWT).

This sincerity is what distinguishes Sadaqah from ordinary giving. It is an expression of gratitude, compassion, and faith, and it can take countless forms, from a monetary donation to an act of kindness extended to another person or even an animal.

Sadaqah encompasses a wide range of acts. Some examples include:

• Donating money to someone in need
• Providing food or water to others
• Providing food or water to others
• Teaching Qur’an or sharing beneficial knowledge
• Smiling at others
• Watering a plant or caring for an animal
• Removing something harmful from a path
• Helping someone carry a heavy load
• Making dua (supplication) for another person
• Aqiqah, Fidya, and Kaffarah are also considered forms of Sadaqah

“While a man was going on a way, he saw a thorny branch and removed it from the way and Allah became pleased by his action and forgave him for that.”

Sahih al-Bukhari

There are countless types of Sadaqah, both monetary and non-monetary. The two main categories are:

• Sadaqah Nafilah: Voluntary charity given freely at any time, in any amount, for any good cause. This is the most common form of Sadaqah.
• Sadaqah Jariyah: An “ongoing charity” whose benefit continues after the giver’s death, such as funding a water well, building a school, or supporting an orphan’s education.
• Sadaqah Wajibah: Obligatory charity that must be given in specific circumstances, such as Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana) at the end of Ramadan, or Kaffarah as expiation for certain acts.

“The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are most consistent, even if it is small in amount.”

Sahih al-Bukhari

Sadaqah Jariyah is an “ongoing charity” whose reward continues to benefit the giver even after their death. It is one of the three deeds that continue to earn reward after a person passes away, as mentioned in the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

“When a person dies, all their deeds end except three: a continuing charity, beneficial knowledge and a child who prays for them.”

Sahih Muslim

Examples of Sadaqah Jariyah include funding a water well, building or contributing to a school or masjid, planting a tree, supporting an orphan’s education, or sharing knowledge that continues to benefit others. Many Muslims choose to give Sadaqah Jariyah on behalf of a deceased loved one, so that the reward reaches them in the hereafter.

When you donate to Islamic Relief South Africa’s development programmes, such as borehole rehabilitation, education centres, or livelihoods training, your donation can become a lasting Sadaqah Jariyah for you and your family.

While both Sadaqah and Zakat are forms of charity in Islam, there are important differences between them:

• Sadaqah is entirely voluntary. It can be given at any time of year, in any amount, and for any good cause. There is no minimum threshold and no specific recipients required.
• Zakat is obligatory. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is due from every Muslim whose total wealth (cash, gold, silver, shares, and trade goods) meets or exceeds the Nisab threshold over a full lunar year. Zakat must be given at a rate of 2.5% of eligible wealth and can only be distributed to the eight categories of recipients specified in the Qur’an (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:60).

In short, Zakat is a religious obligation with strict rules, while Sadaqah is a free and open act of generosity. Both are deeply encouraged in Islam and carry significant reward.

Sadaqah can be given at any time of year, in any amount. There is no fixed time or season for Sadaqah, which is one of the things that makes it such a beautiful and accessible act of worship. You can give when you have extra, when you feel grateful, or when you hear of someone in need.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) encouraged giving without delay, as charity can stand in the way of calamity and hardship.

“Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.”

Tirmidhi

While Sadaqah is especially encouraged during blessed times such as Ramadan, the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, and on Fridays, it is a virtuous act at any moment throughout the year.

Unlike Zakat, which has specific categories of eligible recipients, Sadaqah can be given to anyone in need or to any cause that benefits people. This includes:

• Individuals and families experiencing poverty or hardship
• Orphans and vulnerable children
• Communities affected by disasters, conflict, or drought
• Mosques, schools, and community organisations
• Animals in need of care
• Any project or programme that brings benefit to people

Sadaqah can also be given to non-Muslims. The key requirement is that the act is performed sincerely for the sake of Allah (SWT) and that the cause is lawful and beneficial.

Yes. Sadaqah can be given to non-Muslims. The majority of Islamic scholars agree that voluntary charity is not restricted by the religion of the recipient. The purpose of Sadaqah is to relieve hardship, show compassion, and do good in the world, and these values extend to all of humanity regardless of faith.

Islamic Relief South Africa operates on this principle. We allocate resources and support to rights holders regardless of race, political affiliation, gender, or belief, and without expecting anything in return. Our programmes serve all communities across South Africa who are in need.

Yes. It is entirely permissible to give Sadaqah on behalf of another person, whether they are living or deceased. Giving Sadaqah on behalf of a deceased parent, spouse, or loved one is a deeply encouraged practice in Islam, as the reward of the charity reaches them even after their passing.

Many Muslims choose to give Sadaqah Jariyah in memory of a loved one, such as funding a water borehole, contributing to an education centre, or sponsoring an orphan, so that the ongoing reward continues to benefit the deceased in the hereafter.

When donating through Islamic Relief South Africa, you can specify in the notes that the donation is on behalf of a named individual. Please contact us on 0800 111 898 or at info@islamic-relief.org.za if you need assistance with this.

Yes. Sadaqah can be given to a mosque or any charitable cause. Mosques are places of worship, community gathering, and education, and contributing to their upkeep or programmes is a valid and rewarded form of Sadaqah.

Sadaqah given to a registered charity such as Islamic Relief South Africa is also a valid and impactful form of giving. Your donation is used to fund humanitarian programmes that benefit the most vulnerable communities in South Africa and around the world.

Many scholars and the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) indicate that giving Sadaqah does not diminish wealth but rather increases it, through the blessings of Allah (SWT).

“Charity does not decrease wealth, no one forgives another but that Allah increases his honour, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah but that Allah raises his status.”

“Charity does not decrease wealth, no one forgives another but that Allah increases his honour, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah but that Allah raises his status.”

Sahih Muslim, narrated by Abu Huraira (RA)

Scholars interpret this to mean that Allah (SWT) restores and increases the wealth of those who give generously, either through material means or through the barakah (blessing) that comes into their lives, their health, and their affairs. Giving Sadaqah is therefore seen not as a loss, but as an investment in both this world and the next.

Yes. Giving Sadaqah in times of hardship, illness, or calamity is strongly encouraged in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) taught that Sadaqah can act as a shield against misfortune and that giving charity without delay is especially powerful in difficult times.

“Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.”

Tirmidhi

Many Muslims give Sadaqah when facing illness, financial difficulty, or grief as a means of seeking Allah’s mercy and protection. It is also common to give Sadaqah for the recovery of a sick person, for the deceased, or as a form of gratitude when something good happens.

The best Sadaqah is that which is given consistently, even if the amount is small. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that the most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are regular and sustained, even if modest in amount. Setting up a monthly donation, however small, is one of the most impactful ways to give.

Other highly recommended ways to give Sadaqah include:

• Giving in secret, without seeking recognition
• Giving from your best and most beloved wealth
• Giving with a sincere intention and a clean heart
• Giving Sadaqah Jariyah so that the benefit continues after your death
• Giving on behalf of a deceased loved one

When you donate through Islamic Relief South Africa, you can choose to give a one-off donation or set up a recurring monthly contribution. You can also direct your Sadaqah to specific programmes such as orphan support, food security, education, or water access.