Sadaqah

One offers someone something that he needs. One gives it solely for the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala. One does not expect anything from him in return. This is called Sadaqah.

Sadaqah is a sign and an indication of the Imaan of a person otherwise there is no reason for a person to agree to give some of his wealth to someone who at times may be a stranger without awaiting anything in return for it in this world. He neither awaits for thankfulness, applause or honour. He only seeks the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala.

A person can do it out of pity for the next person although he may not be a Muslim also. But the donator is eager to publicise it or he will be happy if people come to know of it by themselves. Such a desire disqualifies and invalidates his donation as Sadaqah. This kind of donation is not a Sadaqah which is a sign of Imaan. On the contrary, there are serious consequences that a person must undergo for such a Sadaqah. According to the Hadith, such a person will be dragged by the face and will be thrown into the fire of hell. As for a Muslim who is sincere in his Sadaqah, he will keep it as a secret between him and his Rabb. It is this kind of Sadaqah that is an indication of Imaan and is a very profitable investment.

This profit margin that one gets by giving Sadaqah is not achievable in any other investment. As soon as one starts, one gets 10 for each unit and it multiplies up to 700 times and for some people, it increases to an amount that cannot be calculated. That is why the Sahaabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallaahu Anhum) who had nothing to give, worked as porters in the market to be able to spend whatever they earned in the path of Allah Ta'ala. This is because they knew its benefit. According to the Hadith, a date that was offered in Sadaqah will become like the size of a mountain on the day of Qiyaamah. Thus, this is good news for those who want to invest in Aakhirah.

[English version of "Sadaqah" – Al Jamiat – Vol.6 No.4]