Are you looking for an answer to this question: Can I give sadaqah to my family? In order to determine whether it is permissible in Islam to give sadaqah to your family or not, the first study what is sadaqah, and to whom we can give sadaqah.
Here are some Islamic references to help clarify all these key points.
What is sadaqah?
The literal meaning of the word sadaqah is righteousness. Islamic terminology describes sadaqah as giving something without expecting a substitute in return and with the intention of pleasing Allah.
According to a hadith: “sadaqah removes seventy gates of evil.”
Sadaqah examples include:
- Granting justice between two parties
- To repair damage to a road or remove stones, thorns, and other obstacles from pathways
- A strong word
- Taking each step toward prayer
- A guide for the blind
- Helping the weak by using your power in your arms
- Grin toward others
Difference between sadaqah and zakat?
A lot of people want to know if I can give sadaqah to my parents or family, but do not understand the difference between sadaqah and zakat. Zakat is the third of Islam’s five pillars of individually required worship. Islam’s followers satisfy it by giving alms annually (typically 2.5%) from their income to his, or her permitted amounts of surplus wealth that God Himself has identified in the Quran as deserving or eligible for payment to eight categories of people.
Muslims use the word “sadaqah” to refer to voluntary charitable contributions, but when the Quran was revealed and the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah have mercy on him, conveyed its message, Sadaqah referred to Zakat. As a result, according to God’s Divine Law, the Shari’ah, Sadaqah includes the definition of Zakat.
According to the Quran and the Sunnah, sadaqah is as follows:
Even if you are not highly religious, there are several benefits to making a sadaqah donation. You might do it to give back to the community, instill compassion and selflessness in your children, or even for tax benefits. However, if you are a believer, you have a higher motivation for making a donation to the sadaqah. There are many advantages to sharing your money with those who are less fortunate, many of which you won’t experience in this Dunya.
To understand why we look at the Quran and the Sunnah.
“Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” Quran (2:261-262)
“Believe in Allah and His Messenger and spend out of that in which He has made you successors. For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward.” Quran(57:7)
Is it permissible to give Sadaqah to my sisters?
If voluntary sadaqah is what is intended, there is nothing wrong with donating money to home costs and giving it to your sisters, as sadaqah has a wide range of applications. However, if mandatory charity, or zakah, is intended, then the issue needs to be further discussed.
First, if your brothers and sisters are impoverished, and you are not required to provide for them because you will not inherit from them or because you cannot afford to do so, you may give them charity.
Whether you are required to spend on their debts or not, it is also acceptable to give them zakaah since the person who is required to spend on the maintenance of another person is not required to pay off debts.
Requirements for giving sadaqah:
- It results from the money you’ve earned legally or from something you’re allowed to perform. Notably, when it comes to sadaqah, legitimate gain indicates that you did not get it by going beyond any restrictions Allah and His Messenger, on him be peace, have imposed on obtaining that money or possession.
- That you give it for good purposes that Allah and His Messenger, may peace and blessings be upon him, have commanded, encouraged, or permitted.
- That you give it with the only purpose of pleasing the one and only real God.
Can I give sadaqah to my family?
Yes, it is acceptable to give parents and siblings optional/voluntary Sadaqah. Even if they are related by blood, giving Sadaqah to family members and close relatives will actually result in greater blessings for the giver. The Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have remarked, “The best sadaqah is that which is provided when you are self-sufficient, and start with those for whom you are accountable,” according to a tradition related by Jabir bin Abdullah (R.A). (Hadith 3334 from Sahih Ibn Hibban).
The Prophet (S.A.S) is reported to have said, “sadaqah (charity) given to a poor individual will bring the reward for only sadaqah, but when given to a family member/relative, it gives the rewards for two things, one for the charity and the other for keeping the relationship.”
On the basis of these, the authentic Fiqh texts assert, “There is no disagreement among the Fuqaha (professional jurists) regarding the legitimacy of offering optional/voluntary Sadaqah to family members and spouses. Some of them have made it very clear that it is Sunnah to offer sadaqah to such family members and for such needy family members to accept the sadaqah from them, despite the fact that the needy family members are among those whose maintenance is necessary upon the giver of sadaqah.
Conclusion:
As a result of the above discussion, the answer to the question that can give sadaqah to my parents and family members is yes.
Sadaqah can be given to your family. A sadaqah is a voluntary act of charity. It is not necessary for the sadaqah to be material or financial.
“They inquire of you, O Prophet, as to how they ought to give to charity. Tell them that whatever charitable donation they make should go to their parents, close family members, orphans, the poor, and lost travelers. And God is certainly all-knowing of the good you accomplish.” (Surat Al-Baqarah, 2:215).
