When is the Best Time to Give Sadaqah? Special Days and Occasions
Sadaqah is a very special act of kindness. It purifies the soul, strengthens faith, and brings a deeper connection with Allah. Sadaqah reflects a believer's selfless nature, where you contribute wealth, effort, time, or even a word to relieve suffering for all surroundings and community. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Enjoining, all that is good is a Sadaqa." Sahih al-Bukhari 6021
Recommended Times in Islam to Give Sadaqah
We can also notice significant mentions in the Quran and Sunnah for the best moments of when to give sadaqah, which multiplies its blessings, as the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasized that the best charity is given in times of abundance and hardship alike. He also enlights us to some special events around the year when it consider the best time to give Sadaqah:
- Giving Sadaqah In the holy month of Ramadan
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the most generous of people, and he was most generous during Ramadan He said, as per Salman Alfarsi, about this month, "If someone draws near to God during it with some good act, he will be like one who fulfills an obligatory duty in another month, and he who fulfills an obligatory duty in it will be like one who fulfills seventy obligatory duties in another month. It is the month of endurance, and the reward of endurance is paradise. It is the month of sharing with others, Mishkat al-Masabih Hadith 1965
- First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, "There are no days on which God likes better to be worshipped than the ten days of Dhul Hijja. Fasting observed on each of these days is equivalent to a year’s fasting, and prayer during each of these nights is equivalent to prayer during Lailat Al-Qadr." Mishkat al-Masabih 1471
- Times of Hardship:
Your influence on people around you and individuals in need during your personal hardships can boost your trust in God's provision and strengthen your faith, and good-intentioned acts can offer protection from events.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, when a man came to the Prophet and asked, "O Allah's Apostle! Which charity is the most superior in reward?" He replied, "The charity which you practice while you are healthy, niggardly, and afraid of poverty and wish to become wealthy. Sahih al-Bukhari 1419
- Time of Abundance and Ease
The Qur'an reminds us in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:261) that "the example of those who spend in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grord of Sadaqah for those who are good investors, it is a remind also that you can cleverly invest in spending money whether it was through giving a sadaqah online or deliver it by yourself for those you think they need it the most, and no matter the value, cash, clothes, food as long as you are spending it in the way of Allah. it purifies wealth, boosts gratitude, and strengthens our bond with Allah.
Sadaqah During Life Events: Birth, Marriage, and Illness
Islamic Sadaqah can have a significant impact on health and family relationships, The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When a Muslim spends something on his family intending to receive Allah's reward, it is regarded as Sadaqa for him." Sahih al-Bukhari 5351
It is good to give Sadaqah when a loved one falls ill to help cure disease and avert a sick fate. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Treat your sick ones with charity.” (Saheeh al-Jaami)
The 'Aqiqa' ceremony is also a form of Sadaqah and one of the Prophet's (ﷺ) traditions, that brings blessings and protection to a newborn boy by offering a sacrifice. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) says, "'Aqiqa is to be offered for a (newly born) boy, so slaughter (an animal) for him, and relieve him of his suffering."
The prophet Mohamed (ﷺ) invites us also to celebrate good occasions like marriage generously, we can see that when he asked Abudlrahamn Ibn Auf about his marriage he asked him, "How much Mahr did you pay her?" He said, "I paid gold equal to the weight of a date stone." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said to him, "Give a wedding banquet, even if with one sheep." Sahih al-Bukhari 5153
Annual Opportunities for Sadaqah in the Islamic Calendar
Particular times throughout the year when giving charity is encouraged and rewarded included:
1- Ramadan: when good deeds are believed to be doubled many times over. Ramadan is for sure a gift from Allah, so we can get the chance to purify ourselves through Sadaqah in Ramadan, and to be generously giver during this holy month
2- Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha: These Holy and festive days are also times when Muslim is encouraged to give Sadaqah and share the joy and blessings of Eid with those in need.
3- Month of the Hajj: Sadaqah is highly rewarded during the whole month of the Hajj pilgrimage, especially the ten-day of the Hajj, the Day of Arafah and Eid al-Adha,
4- The 15th night of Sha'ban: is said to be one of the greatest nights of the year. On this night, Allah descends to the lowest heaven to forgive repenting Muslims. Therefore, we should seek Allah's forgiveness by making dua and offering sadaqah.
The Power of Giving
Firstly, undoubted blessings the giver can notice in terms of inner peace and reducing stress, when it is a good word, or deliver any kind of value to someone in need, it can advise form your professional expertise or just leaving a chair on a bus for an old lady, you can feel the blessing of the act directly and right through the situation, still Hadith and Sunnah still have more wise advice to be taught about the power of giving for example:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said that :
“Sadaqah appeases the Lord's anger and averts an evil death.” Mishkat al-Masabih 1909
“The believer's shade on the day of resurrection will be his sadaqa.” Mishkat al-Masabih 1925
Sadaqah in Ramadan double the reward.
A very special place has been held in the heart of Ramadan for Sadaqah. This holiest month of the Islamic year is the month of intense worship and the greatest opportunity for all good deeds, including sadaqah, to be doubled many times over. Giving sadaqah in Ramadan is the opportunity to help the less fortunate, support community goals, and show kindness to others. May Allah give us the blessing of reaching the next Ramadan.
