What is the sadaqa? What is the varieties of sadaqa?
a. The Definition of Sadaqa
The word meanings for sadaqa is; to confirm, speak honestly, to spend something in the halal way. The term meaning for sadaqa is; is to help people who are in need by spending from ones wealth all for the sake of Allah. Sadaqa is a broad term that encompasses zakat and other types of aid.
We can see the broadness of the concept of sadaqa in this hadith: “Each person’s every joint must perform a charity 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 to prayers is a charity and removing a harmful thing from the road is a charity.”[1]
b. The Types of Sadaqa
There are three types of sadaqa; fardh, wajib and nafilah:
- Sadaqa that is fardh: This is the zakat and fitr sadaqa.
- Sadaqas that are nafilah: These are the remaining ones outside of the zakat and fitr sadaqa.
Sadaqa jariyah, which is the sadaqa type that continuously goes on, is one of the best of the nafilah sadaqa. This pleasant amal can be carried out by financially aiding places like places of ibadah, educational establishments, road, water, bridges; financially aiding charitable organisations all for the sake of Allah.
[1] Bukhari, Sulh, 11; Jihad, 72,128; Muslim, Zakat, 56
Source: Fiqh1 (According To The Maliki School Of Islamic Law), Erkam Publications
