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Sadaqah (Voluntary Charity)

INTENSITY MARKERS:
[M] = Fard / Wajib (Obligatory — must do)  |  [1] = Sunnah Mu'akkadah / Highly Recommended  |  [2] = Sunnah / Recommended  |  [3] = Mustahab / Virtuous / Commendable  |  [H] = Haram (Forbidden — must not do)  |  [h] = Makruh (Discouraged — should not do)  |  [P] = Mubah (Permissible — neutral)

✅ What to Do

(extra):
[1]Give ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah): well, knowledge, tree. (Muslim 1631)
[1]Give regularly even if small — half a date protects from Hell. (Bukhari 1417)
[1]Give secretly — better than public charity. (Qur'an 2:271)
[1]Spend on your family first — the best charity. (Bukhari 1962)
[2]Feed the hungry — giving food is one of the best charities. (Qur'an 76:8-9)
[2]Give during Ramadan — multiplied manyfold. (Tirmidhi 664)
[2]Give on behalf of your deceased parents. (Bukhari 2760)
[2]Give water — best sadaqah is giving water. (Nasai 3678)
[2]Smile, remove harm, say dhikr — all are charity. (Muslim 720)
[2]Sponsor an orphan — the Prophet and the caretaker are together in Paradise. (Bukhari 6006)
[2]Sponsor an orphan. (Bukhari 6006)
[3]Build a well, plant a tree, or donate a mushaf — ongoing reward.
[3]Give charity and fear Allah — He will ease your path (Quran 92:5-7 (); Bukhari 1363) [bg:An early Meccan surah contrasting those who give charity and fear Allah (eased toward ease) and those who are miserly and deny the good (eased toward difficulty). The surah defines the path of righteousness and warns of the Fire. It was revealed regarding Abu Bakr who spent generously to free slaves and Abu Jahl who opposed him. Revealed in Mecca promising: 'As for he who gives (charity) and fears Allah and believes in the best (al-husna — the reward of Paradise) — We will ease him toward ease.' This was revealed regarding Abu Bakr al-Siddiq who freed Bilal and other slaves, and spent generously for Islam.]
[3]Trust in Allah (Tawakkul) — He suffices (Quran 64:13; Tirmidhi 2344) [bg:Revealed in Medina (some say Meccan) calling the Believers to rely on Allah and warning that wealth and children are tests. The surah declares that no calamity strikes except by Allah's permission and commands those who believe to spend in charity. It consoles the Believers who faced persecution and reminds them of the Hereafter. Revealed in Medina (or late Meccan) declaring: 'Allah — there is no deity except Him.]
[3]Worldly life is play and amusement; if you believe and fear Allah, He will give you rewards — Contribute in charity generously (Quran 47:36-38; Bukhari 1435) [bg:Revealed in Medina after the Battle of Badr (2 AH) concerning the conduct of war and the treatment of captives. Named Muhammad after the Prophet himself. The surah distinguishes between those who believe and fight in Allah's way and those who turn back, and promises Paradise to those who strive in Allah's cause. Revealed in Medina commanding: 'So do not weaken and call for peace while you have the upper hand. And spend from what We have provided you... Here you are — those called to spend in the way of Allah — but among you are those who withhold (miserly).' This was revealed during the campaign preparations for Tabuk (9 AH) when some companions hesitated to contribute.]
[M]Believe in Allah and His Messenger and spend from what He has made you successors of — Spend in charity and in Allah's cause (Quran 57:7; Bukhari 24) [bg:Revealed in Medina (some ayahs late in Mecca) calling the Believers to spend in charity before the Day of Judgment. The surah declares that all creation glorifies Allah and that iron was sent down as strength for humanity — a reference to divine provision of tools and weapons. The Believers are commanded to race toward forgiveness. Revealed in Medina around 8-9 AH commanding faith in Allah and His Messenger and spending from what Allah has entrusted to humanity. The ayah promises a great reward for those who believe and spend, establishing the link between faith and charity during the expansion of the Islamic state.]
[M]Strive for excellence — Allah knows all (Quran 64:4) [bg:Revealed in Medina (some say Meccan) calling the Believers to rely on Allah and warning that wealth and children are tests. The surah declares that no calamity strikes except by Allah's permission and commands those who believe to spend in charity. It consoles the Believers who faced persecution and reminds them of the Hereafter. Revealed in Medina (or late Meccan) declaring: 'He knows what is in the heavens and the earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare. And Allah is Knowing of that within the breasts (dhat al-sudur).' This establishes that striving for excellence (ihsan) means worshipping Allah as if you see Him, for even if you do not see Him, He sees you — the highest level of faith.]
[M]Strive for forgiveness and race to Paradise (Quran 57:21; Bukhari 6483) [bg:Revealed in Medina (some ayahs late in Mecca) calling the Believers to spend in charity before the Day of Judgment. The surah declares that all creation glorifies Allah and that iron was sent down as strength for humanity — a reference to divine provision of tools and weapons. The Believers are commanded to race toward forgiveness. Revealed in Medina commanding: 'Race toward forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise whose width is as the width of the heavens and earth.' This was revealed encouraging the Believers to compete in good deeds, particularly after the Conquest of Makkah when some became complacent.]

🚫 What Not to Do

What to Do ↑ As You Wish ↓
(extra):
[H]Give from haram wealth. (Muslim 1015)
[H]Seek worldly gain through religion (Quran 74:6) [bg:The fourth surah revealed, after the pause in revelation (fatrat al-wahy). When the Prophet was terrified after the first revelation and wrapped himself in his cloak, the angel Jibril commanded: 'O you wrapped in a garment, arise and warn.' The surah commands purification, patience, and warns of the punishment of Hell for those who deny the truth. Revealed in Mecca commanding: 'And do not confer favor seeking more gain (wa la tamnun tastakthir).' This was revealed as a warning against expecting worldly return for religious devotion — doing good deeds or giving charity only for show or expecting material reward.]
[h]Be miserly (Quran 57:24; Bukhari 1416) [bg:Revealed in Medina (some ayahs late in Mecca) calling the Believers to spend in charity before the Day of Judgment. The surah declares that all creation glorifies Allah and that iron was sent down as strength for humanity — a reference to divine provision of tools and weapons. The Believers are commanded to race toward forgiveness. Revealed in Medina condemning those who are miserly (bukhl) and command others to be miserly: 'And whoever turns away — indeed Allah is the Free of Need, the Praiseworthy.' This was revealed regarding the hypocrites who would not spend in charity and discouraged others from doing so during the campaign of Tabuk (9 AH).]
[h]Be miserly and deny the good (Quran 92:8-10; Bukhari 1363) [bg:An early Meccan surah contrasting those who give charity and fear Allah (eased toward ease) and those who are miserly and deny the good (eased toward difficulty). The surah defines the path of righteousness and warns of the Fire. It was revealed regarding Abu Bakr who spent generously to free slaves and Abu Jahl who opposed him. Revealed in Mecca warning: 'But as for he who is miserly and thinks himself self-sufficient and denies the best — We will ease him toward difficulty.' This was revealed regarding Abu Jahl who was wealthy but miserly, refusing to spend in charity and opposing the Prophet.]
[h]Delay giving charity when someone is in clear need.
[h]Give defective items.
[h]Give to show off or seek praise.
[h]If you hold private conversations, do not converse in sin and aggression — Hold secret counsel for sin and transgression (Quran 58:9-10; Muslim 2647) [bg:Revealed in Medina (5-6 AH) concerning the practice of zihar (a form of divorce where a husband said 'You are to me like my mother's back'). The woman Khuwaylah bint Tha'labah complained to the Prophet, and Allah responded from above the seven heavens. The surah also prohibits secret counsel for sin and commands charity before private consultation with the Prophet. Revealed in Medina when the hypocrites (led by 'Abdullah ibn Ubayy) would hold secret meetings plotting against the Prophet while pretending to be Muslims.]
[h]No calamity occurs except by Allah's permission — Be ungrateful — suffering expiates sins (Quran 64:11; Muslim 2572) [bg:Revealed in Medina (some say Meccan) calling the Believers to rely on Allah and warning that wealth and children are tests. The surah declares that no calamity strikes except by Allah's permission and commands those who believe to spend in charity. It consoles the Believers who faced persecution and reminds them of the Hereafter. Revealed in Medina establishing the principle of divine decree (qadr): no calamity befalls except by Allah's permission, and whoever believes in Allah, He guides their heart. This was revealed after the Battle of Uhud (3 AH) when some Muslims were shaken by the loss, teaching them that all events are under Allah's control and that faith brings guidance even in hardship.]
[h]Remind recipients of your kindness.
[h]Spend beyond your means.

⭐ As You Wish

What to Do ↑ What Not to Do ↑
[P]Allah has heard the statement of the woman who argued with you about her husband — Women's right to argue and seek justice is recognized (Quran 58:1; Bukhari 4885) [bg:Revealed in Medina (5-6 AH) concerning the practice of zihar (a form of divorce where a husband said 'You are to me like my mother's back'). The woman Khuwaylah bint Tha'labah complained to the Prophet, and Allah responded from above the seven heavens. The surah also prohibits secret counsel for sin and commands charity before private consultation with the Prophet. Revealed in Medina around 5 AH when Khablah (or Khuwaylah) bint Tha'labah was divorced by her husband Aws ibn al-Samit through the pre-Islamic practice of zihar (declaring his wife like his mother's back). She came to the Prophet arguing her case, and as he was about to rule against her, she raised her hands and said: 'O Allah, I complain to You.' This ayah was revealed accepting her complaint and abolishing the unjust practice of zihar.]
[P]By the night when it covers, by the day when it reveals — Appreciate the cycle of night and day (Quran 92:1-4) [bg:An early Meccan surah contrasting those who give charity and fear Allah (eased toward ease) and those who are miserly and deny the good (eased toward difficulty). The surah defines the path of righteousness and warns of the Fire. It was revealed regarding Abu Bakr who spent generously to free slaves and Abu Jahl who opposed him. Revealed in the early Meccan period with oaths by the night, the day, the creation of male and female — that people's endeavors are diverse.]
[P]Use art and creativity within Islamic guidelines (Quran 21:80; Bukhari 3629) [bg:Revealed in Mecca challenging the Quraysh's denial of resurrection and their worship of powerless idols. The surah presents the oneness of Allah through the stories of prophets who called their people to tawheed. The ayah 'We did not create the heaven and earth and what is between them in play' (21:16) was revealed to refute those who claimed creation was purposeless. The Prophet said: 'There is no believer who plants a tree or sows a crop from which a bird, human, or animal eats except it counts as charity.]
[P]We sent Our messengers with clear proofs, the Book, and the Balance, that people may maintain justice — Study metallurgy — iron has great strength and benefits (Quran 57:25) [bg:Revealed in Medina (some ayahs late in Mecca) calling the Believers to spend in charity before the Day of Judgment. The surah declares that all creation glorifies Allah and that iron was sent down as strength for humanity — a reference to divine provision of tools and weapons. The Believers are commanded to race toward forgiveness.]

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