Sadaqa

صدقة Sadaqais voluntary Islamic charity as opposed to zakat, or obligatory charity. Sadaqa may be financial assistance, public service, or even a smile to someone who needs it. It is often the social norm to give ""Sadaqa"" when visiting siThe Gametes holy to Islam or making pilgrimage.

Sadaqa is what is given voluntarily for the sake of Allah to obtain the recompense from Allah when the person who does so aims at conformity with the truth in his deed.

SADAQA is voluntary while ZAKA is obligatory

For zaka, there are direct commands of Allah in the imperative [AATTOOZAKA] while SADAQA is not enjoined in the Quran in the imperative. Moreover, 2:280; 4:92; 5:45 also depict the voluntary aspect of the word SADAQA.

SADAQA is for the sake of Allah alone

The verses 9:104; 57:18 indicate this aspect

More characteristics of SADAQA

No show off [2:266]

Not to make him, to whom it is given, feel obliged [2:266]

The feelings of the one to whom it is given should not get hurt [2:263; 2:266]

Whom the SADAQA goes to?

-FUQARAA [2:271, 9:60]

-MASAKEEN

-AAMILEEN

-Those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth) [e.g. new converts/reverts to Islam]

-To free the slaves

-Gharimeen

-Ibn-sabeel [9:60]

This apportioning or allocation is from Allah [9:60]

How much should be given as SADAQA?

The rich should give according to their resources and the poor according to their [9:79]

How it should be given?

Openly or secretly [2:271]

Can be given directly to FUQARAA [2:271]

Can be given to an authority who can distribute to the deserving [9:58; 9:103]

Some differences between ZAKA and SADAQA

1. Zaka is obligatory while Sadaqa is supererogatory or voluntary. The money for the purpose of zaka can be taken by force by the authorities while for Sadaqa, this is not the case

2. Zaka must be managed by a central authority while Sadaqa may be given individually or through authorities

3. Sadaqa is usually for exigencies or a sudden unforeseen crisis while Zaka is a continuous program aimed at providing the resources for the physical and personal development of the people

4. For Zaka, no categories of people have been mentioned in the Quran to whom it is for. [it is for the general physical and personal development of all]. For sadaqa, the categories of people whom it is for is mentioned.

5. In a bid to establish an economic system based upon the Quranic teachings, Sadaqa may be a measure much prevalent in the transitory stage while Zakaat will be the main hallmark of the maturity of such a system when all will be provided what they need for their physical and personal development

6. To affect Zaka, an Islamic authority may levy fixed taxes of different sorts changeable according to the economic state of the nation but for Sadaqa, there is no fixed amount.