Question & Answer Al-Jamiat Vol 9 (4/7)
Question
I was told that only the following items may be given as Sadaqah:
1 x loaf of bread, 1 x 1lt milk, 1 x 1/2 dozen eggs, 1 x small packet of salt, 1 x small packet of sugar, 1 x 1L oil.
I thought that anything can be given as Sadaqah, any kind of food or clothing. Is the above correct?
Also, I want to give Sadaqah on behalf of my family for protection from evil and Nazr. What is the purpose of Sadaqah?
Answer
Optional Sadaqah can be given with any permissible item that maybe of benefit to a living creature. The Hadith has mentioned that planting a tree is a Sadaqah for the person as long as living creatures take benefit from the tree. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith #: 1552, Narrated by Jabir)
In another Hadith, it is mentioned that smiling at the next Muslim brother is a Sadaqah and removing an obstacle from the pathway is also a Sadaqah. (Nasai, Hadith #: 8979, Narrated by Abu Zarr)
Thus, the notion that Sadaqah can only be given with a specific range of items is incorrect. Sadaqah may be given in the form of money, clothes, sweets, or whatever will make the next person happy.
Sadaqah is effective in warding off calamities, cooling the wrath of Allah, and saving a person from an evil death as mentioned in the Hadith. (Tirmizi, Hadith #: 664, Narrated by Anas bin Malik)
Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Jamiatul Ulama KZN. It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, ask the issuing Darul Ifta directly.