Although Sadaqah is a general term which refers to any voluntary charitable act, it can be broken down into two distinct types, Sadaqah Wajibah and Sadaqah Nafilah. We’ll break them down in a very simple way to help you understand each one.
- Sadaqah Wajibah: Binding Commitments
- Sadaqatul Fitr: A required charitable contribution that all sane Muslims who have Nisab beyond necessities must provide. It is given before 'Eid Salah to guarantee that those in need get support on the festive day. Individuals should give an amount that is equivalent in value to 1.75kg of wheat or 3.5kg of barley.
- Nadhr: a self-imposed duty, taking the form of a charitable oath e.g. expressing gratitude through Sadaqah. If it is not fulfilled, Kaffarah is required, implying major compensation
- Fidyah: Compensation for minor Hajj mistakes, missed Salah, and Sawm. Typically falling under Sadaqah Wajibah, it resembles Sadaqatul Fitr in terms of the amount required to give, which is 1.6kg of wheat or its equivalent.
- Kaffarah: Deliberately breaking fasts, violating oaths, or causing someone's death, implies major compensation. There are two kinds of Kaffarah: Greater Kaffarah involves feeding sixty people in need, fasting for 60 days, or freeing a slave- this is applied if a fast is broken intentionally, Zihar is broken or if an individual is the cause of someone's death. Lesser Kaffarah involves feeding ten people, releasing a slave, or fasting 3 consecutive days- this is applied if an oath or Ila' is broken.
- Udhiyyah: Also known as Qurbani or sacrifice, it is required on Eid al-Adha for mature Muslims who possess Nisab. It involves sacrificing a sheep or goat and distributing the meat or, donating the animal's worth if the sacrifice is not performed.
2. Sadaqah Nafilah: Voluntary Acts of Kindness
- Lillah: Non-binding charity that can have any recipient and can be any amount. can be donated to institutions such as schools, hospitals, or mosques.
- Waqf: putting aside funds as a trust for a charitable purpose, either in a will or during one's lifetime (up to a third of one's assets).
- Aqeeqah: Sacrificing animals, with the option to feed the community, as a way of showing appreciation for the birth of a kid.
- Sadaqah for Removing Difficulties: this type of Sadaqah is to ease difficulties and can be given as ‘Lillah’.
- Sadaqah for Expiating Sins: donated with the hope of being forgiven by Allah for one's sins. ‘Indeed good deeds take away bad deeds.’ [Qur’an, 11:114]
Let our generosity be guided by compassion, purpose, and a passion to uplift people in need as we navigate the intricate seas of Sadaqah. In terms of giving, every deed—required or voluntary—contributes to the tapestry of kindness that defines the Islamic way of life.
