Zakat possesses numerous virtues, which are outlined as follows:
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Connection with Prayer: The giving of Zakat is closely linked to the performance of prayer. Allah, the Exalted, mentioned Zakat alongside prayer in many verses of the Quran, such as: “And establish prayer and give Zakat, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves—you will find it with Allah. Indeed, Allah is Seeing of what you do.” (Quran 2:110). Furthermore, the refusal of some apostates to pay Zakat while maintaining prayer prompted Abu Bakr, the Truthful, to wage war against them after the Prophet’s passing (peace and blessings be upon him).
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Pillar of Islam: Zakat is the third of the five pillars of Islam. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Islam is built upon five: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, establishing prayer, giving Zakat, performing Hajj, and fasting Ramadan.”
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Superiority over Voluntary Charity: Zakat is preferred over all forms of voluntary charity (Sadaqah) because it is obligatory, whereas Sadaqah is voluntary. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stated that the most beloved acts of worship to Allah are the obligatory ones.
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Purification of the Soul: Zakat purifies the soul and rids it of blameworthy traits such as stinginess, greed, and attachment to worldly possessions. It fosters love, cooperation, and assistance to the needy, benefiting both the individual and society. Allah says: “Take from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase.” (Quran 9:103).
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Economic and Social Benefits: Zakat stimulates the economy in an Islamic state by enabling the wealthy to contribute. It eliminates poverty across various segments of society and reduces moral and social corruption by being distributed to the eight categories specified in the Quran. Paying Zakat instills a sense of responsibility towards society, as reflected in Allah’s words: “And those within whose wealth is a known right for the petitioner and the deprived.” (Quran 70:24-25).
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Great Reward: Zakat brings immense rewards in this world and the Hereafter, blessings in wealth, and spiritual growth. The one who pays Zakat fulfills Allah’s command, purifying their wealth and feeling its spiritual and tangible increase.
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Protection from Calamities: Zakat wards off afflictions, atones for sins, and invites Allah’s mercy. Allah says: “My mercy encompasses all things, so I will decree it for those who fear Me and give Zakat and those who believe in Our verses.” (Quran 7:156). The one who consistently pays Zakat earns Allah’s pleasure.
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Strengthening Social Bonds: Zakat fosters affection, love, and unity among members of society, rich and poor alike, eliminating envy, hatred, and resentment from their hearts.
Virtues of Sadaqah
Sadaqah has many virtues, including the following:
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Supplementing Zakat: Sadaqah compensates for any deficiency in Zakat. Tamim al-Dari narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The first thing a servant will be held accountable for on the Day of Judgment is their prayer. If it is complete, it will be recorded as complete. If it is deficient, Allah will say to His angels: ‘See if My servant has any voluntary deeds to complete their obligations.’ Then Zakat is treated similarly, followed by other deeds.”
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Expiation of Sins: Sadaqah atones for sins and wrongdoings, paving the way to enter Paradise and be saved from Hellfire. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Sadaqah extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire.” Allah multiplies its reward manifold based on the sincerity of the giver, as He says: “Allah destroys usury and increases charity.” (Quran 2:276).
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Shade on the Day of Judgment: Sadaqah protects its giver from the heat of the sun on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Seven will be shaded by Allah under His shade on a day when there is no shade but His…” and mentioned among them: “A man who gives charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given.”
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Bringing Blessings and Victory: Sadaqah attracts sustenance, achieves victory, trains the Muslim in generosity, and instills mercy in the heart. It purifies the soul from stinginess, brings blessings to wealth, and earns divine compensation. Allah says: “Whatever you spend, He will replace it, and He is the best of providers.” (Quran 34:39). Allah opens doors of goodness and facilitates righteous deeds for the giver.
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Joy and Contentment: Sadaqah brings happiness to the giver’s heart through the act of kindness. Unlike the miser who withholds, the giver feels joy in giving with a willing heart.
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Perfecting Faith: Sadaqah leads to the perfection of faith and benevolence. Allah loves those who do good, as the one who gives Sadaqah seeks to fulfill others’ needs as they do their own. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” Allah fulfills the needs of the generous, grants them mercy, and conceals their faults in this world and the Hereafter.
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Relieving Fear and Grief: Sadaqah removes fear and sorrow from its giver, fulfilling Allah’s promise to those who give. Allah says: “Those who spend their wealth by night and day, secretly and publicly, will have their reward with their Lord, and no fear will be upon them, nor will they grieve.” (Quran 2:274).
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Extinguishing Allah’s Wrath: Sadaqah extinguishes Allah’s anger and protects from evil fates. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Acts of kindness protect from evil fates, and secret charity extinguishes the Lord’s wrath.” It also serves as a cure for the sick.
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A Form of Jihad: Sadaqah is a type of jihad through wealth, which is highly regarded in the Quran, often surpassing jihad with one’s life, except in one verse.
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Protection from Calamities: Sadaqah wards off afflictions and elevates its giver to the highest ranks with Allah.
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Relieving Distress: Sadaqah relieves distress, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever relieves a believer’s distress in this world, Allah will relieve his distress on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever conceals a Muslim’s faults, Allah will conceal his faults in this world and the Hereafter. Whoever eases the hardship of one in difficulty, Allah will ease his hardship in this world and the Hereafter. Allah helps His servant as long as the servant helps his brother.”
Difference Between Zakat and Sadaqah
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Definition: Zakat is defined as giving a specific portion of wealth mandated by Islamic law to those entitled to it according to Sharia. Sadaqah, on the other hand, is voluntary giving of wealth for the sake of Allah, not obligatory. The term Sadaqah can also refer to Zakat, and both are acts of worship for Allah’s sake. The differences between Zakat and Sadaqah are as follows:
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Obligation: Zakat is obligatory, while Sadaqah is voluntary. Sadaqah is named as such because it reflects the sincerity of the giver’s intention and desire to obey Allah and seek His reward.
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Specific Categories: Zakat is required on specific types of wealth as determined by Sharia, such as gold, silver, crops, trade goods, and livestock. Sadaqah has no specific category and includes all forms of goodness and charity.
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Conditions: Zakat has conditions, such as reaching the minimum threshold (nisab) and the passage of a year (hawl), with a specific amount to be given. Sadaqah has no such conditions and can be given at any time and in any amount.
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Recipients: Allah specified the recipients of Zakat in the Quran: “Zakat is for the poor, the needy, those employed to collect it, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, for freeing captives, for those in debt, for the cause of Allah, and for the wayfarer—a duty imposed by Allah, and Allah is Knowing, Wise.” (Quran 9:60). Sadaqah can be given to these categories and others.
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Priority in Inheritance: Zakat takes precedence over wills and inheritance distribution if the deceased did not pay it, unlike Sadaqah. Allah punishes those who refuse to pay Zakat, but not those who refrain from giving Sadaqah.
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Eligible Recipients: According to the consensus of the four Islamic schools of thought, Zakat cannot be given to ascendants (parents, grandparents) or descendants (children, grandchildren), nor to a spouse, the wealthy, polytheists, or non-Muslims. Sadaqah can be given to all these categories.
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Local Preference: Zakat is preferably taken from the wealthy and given to the poor in the same locality, except in cases of necessity. This preference does not apply to Sadaqah.
Etiquettes of Sadaqah
Sadaqah has several etiquettes, some of which are mentioned below:
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Sincerity: The intention must be purely for Allah, avoiding showing off or pride. Actions are judged by intentions, and the giver should not consider their Sadaqah excessive. Allah says: “And do not confer favor to acquire more.” (Quran 74:6). Even a small act, like giving half a date or a kind word, should not be belittled.
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Lawful Wealth: Sadaqah should come from lawful and pure earnings, as Allah is Pure and accepts only what is pure. Allah says: “O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending [from that] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.” (Quran 2:267).
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Avoiding Harm: Sadaqah should not be invalidated by reminders of generosity or harm. Allah says: “O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury.” (Quran 2:264). It is preferable to give secretly unless there is a necessity or benefit in public giving, as Allah says: “If you disclose your charitable expenditures, they are good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you.” (Quran 2:271).
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Cheerfulness: Sadaqah should be given with a cheerful demeanor and a willing heart.
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Promptness: Sadaqah should be given promptly during one’s lifetime, preferably to needy relatives first, and if none are found, to others in need.
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Willingness: The giver should offer Sadaqah willingly, seeking Allah’s pleasure.
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Counting All Expenditures: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When a Muslim spends on his family intending to receive Allah’s reward, it is regarded as Sadaqah for him.”