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Fatwa CenterWhat is Sadaqa (Charity)?
Question
What is Sadaqa?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
Sadaqa or giving alms means: "Giving something to somebody without seeking a substitute in return and with the intention of pleasing Allah."
Sadaqa usually refers to voluntary alms in particular. Al-Khateeb al-Shirbeeni says: “Voluntary alms is what is meant when Sadaqa is mentioned out of a particular context."
Ar-Rageeb al-Asfahaani says: “Sadaqa is what the person gives from what he possesses, like Zakat, hoping to get closer to Allah. But initially Sadaqa is what is given voluntarily while Zakat is what is given obligatorily. "
Sadaqa can also be said to mean Zakat.
Allah Says (what means): {As-Sadaqat (here it means Zakat) are only for the Fuqara' (poor), and Al-Masakin (the needy) …} [Quran 9: 60]
Allah also Says (what means): {Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth Sadaqa (a charity) by which you purify them and cause them increase…} [Quran 9:103]
Sadaqa can also be used to express the Waqf (endowment) as in the Hadeeth reported by al-Bukhari that the Prophet said, "If you like you can give the land as endowment and give its fruits in charity." So ‘Umar 
gave it in charity as an endowment on the condition that it would not be sold nor given to anybody as a present and not to be inherited."
It is also used to express any type of expenditures. The Prophet said: "Every good deed is a charity." [Reported by Imam al-Bukhari]
Allah knows best.
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