CONCEPT OF SADAQAAT IN ISLAM

Abstract

In accordance with the glossary, word ‘SADAQAH’ is derived from classification of ‘Baab’ “Nasara Yansuru” (1) and it implies;

“Ma tasaddaqta behi alal fuqaraa”(2) - That what you gave away to the needy. As per Allama Feroz Abadi:(817 AH) “Ma a’ataetahu fi zaatillahe ta‘ala” (3) Giving away something to someone in the name of Allah.

In the eyes of Allama Raghib Isphahani,(503 AH) ‘Sadaqah’ implies what a human gives away in order to achieve nearness to Allah and ‘Zaka’at’  too means the same. However, ‘Sadaqah’ is not mandatory whereas ‘Zaka’at’ is,but at times mandatory status may be attributed to ‘Sadaqah’ while the Alms-Giver makes an intention to achieve truthfulness, i.e ‘salah wa taqwa’through it. (4)

Dr Yousuf Al Qarzawi writes, “Doing little good to the beggars or street mongers has been termed as ‘Sadaqah’ which is so unfair to this word.(5)