Sadaqa means giving to help others. It’s not just about giving money, but also doing good deeds like being kind, helping others, or even just smiling. Let’s look at what the Quran says about sadaqah.
Sadaqah In Quran Verses
Here are some verses of the Quran that talks’ about Sadaqah or charity. The verses are written in Arabic as well as translation in English for better understanding.
Verse #1: Wishing for charity and spending at the moment of death
وَأَنفِقُواْ مِن مَّا رَزَقۡنَٰكُم مِّن قَبۡلِ أَن يَأۡتِىَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلۡمَوۡتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوۡلَآ أَخَّرۡتَنِىٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ
And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, “My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be of the righteous.”
Surah Munafiqoon verse 10
When people near death, they often regret their mistakes and ask for more time to make things right. But it’s too late, what’s done is done, and what’s coming will come.
Each person will face the consequences of their actions. The disbelievers will say, “Give us more time, we’ll listen and follow the messengers!”
But it will be too late, they had their chance. When death approaches, they’ll ask to be sent back to fix their past, but it’s just empty words. A barrier will block them until the Day of Resurrection. (Quran 14:44, 23:99-100)
Verse #2 Concealing Sadaqah is better
إِن تُبۡدُواْ ٱلصَّدَقَٰتِ فَنِعِمَّا هِىَۖ وَإِن تُخۡفُوهَا وَتُؤۡتُوهَا ٱلۡفُقَرَآءَ فَهُوَ خَيۡرٌ لَّكُمۡۚ وَيُكَفِّرُ عَنكُم مِّن سَيِّئَاتِكُمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
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, and He will remove from you some of your misdeeds [thereby]. And Allah, of what you do, is [fully] Aware.
Surah Baqarah verse 271
Giving charity is good, but giving it secretly is even better. That way, you avoid showing off and boasting.
However, if sharing your charitable act will inspire others to do the same, then it’s better to disclose it. The Quran and Hadith emphasize the importance of humility in giving.
The Prophet said that on Judgment Day, Allah will specially shelter seven types of people, including those who give charity so secretly that their left hand doesn’t know what their right hand has given.
By giving charity, especially in secret, you’ll earn forgiveness for some of your sins, and Allah will reward you for your good deeds, which He knows and sees.
READ ALSO: 8 Quran Verses About Mother in Arabic and English
Verse #3: Reward of sadaqah
إِنَّ ٱلۡمُصَّدِّقِينَ وَٱلۡمُصَّدِّقَٰتِ وَأَقۡرَضُواْ ٱللَّهَ قَرۡضًا حَسَنًا يُضَٰعَفُ لَهُمۡ وَلَهُمۡ أَجۡرٌ كَرِيمٌ
Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan – it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward.
Surah Hadid verse 18
Allah says that those who give charity, both men and women, will be rewarded for their kindness.
When they give to those in need, they are essentially lending to Allah, with a sincere heart and no expectation of worldly gain or recognition.
In return, Allah will multiply their good deeds many times over, up to 700 times or more, and grant them a noble and generous reward.
Their charitable acts will bring them a good reputation, a pleasant homecoming, and an honorable destiny.
Verse #4: Benefits Of Sadaqah To Orphan and near of kin.
فَلَا ٱقۡتَحَمَ ٱلۡعَقَبَةَ (١١) وَمَآ أَدۡرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلۡعَقَبَةُ (١٢) فَكُّ رَقَبَةٍ (١٣) أَوۡ إِطۡعَٰمٌ فِى يَوۡمٍ ذِى مَسۡغَبَةٍ (١٤) يَتِيمًا ذَا مَقۡرَبَةٍ (١٥) أَوۡ مِسۡكِينًا ذَا مَتۡرَبَةٍ (١٦)
11. But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 12. And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 13. It is the freeing of a slave. 14. Or feeding on a day of severe hunger. 15. An orphan of near relationship. 16. Or a needy person in misery.
Surah Balad verse 11-16
These verses discuss giving charity (sadaqa) to certain individuals, including:
- Orphans, by providing them with food on a day like any other.
- Close relatives, who are connected by family ties.
This is supported by a Hadith collected by Imam Ahmad, in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Giving charity to a poor person is counted as one good deed, but giving it to a relative is counted as two: a charitable act and a means of strengthening family bonds.”
Verse #5: Sadaqah will compensate you.
قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقۡدِرُ لَهُۥۚ وَمَآ أَنفَقۡتُم مِّن شَىۡءٍ فَهُوَ يُخۡلِفُهُۥۖ وَهُوَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ
Say, “Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts [it] for him. But whatever thing you spend [in His cause] – He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers.”
Surah Saba verse 39
Whatever you spend for Allah’s sake, He will abundantly replace it, both in this life and the next.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) quoted Allah as saying, “Spend, and I will spend on you.” Every morning, two angels pray, one asking Allah to penalize those who withhold their wealth, while the other asks Allah to reward those who generously spend.
The Prophet encouraged Bilal to spend freely, without fear of scarcity, trusting that Allah’s abundance will never cease.
Verse #6
فَأَمَّا مَنۡ أَعۡطَىٰ وَٱتَّقَىٰ (٥) وَصَدَّقَ بِٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ (٦) فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُۥ لِلۡيُسۡرَىٰ (٧)
5. As for he who gives and fears Allah. 6. And believes in the best [reward], 7. We will ease him toward ease.
Surah Layl Verse 5-7
Giving charity not only benefits others, but also brings numerous benefits to the giver. By acts of charity, one cultivates goodness and righteousness, paving the way to Paradise in the Hereafter, God willing.
Charity becomes a means for the giver to attain spiritual growth, moral excellence, and a virtuous life, ultimately leading to eternal bliss.