Written by Amatullah at MuslimMatters:

For many families, these hard economic times have reduced their ability to give sadaqah regularly. If you’re a student, you may be feeling the pinch a little more than others. One of the beautiful aspects of our religion is that Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) commands the believers to do good, but He leaves the “how” open to us. Allah (ta’ala) out of His Mercy did not specify all good deeds, because the capability and opportunity are different for all Muslims.

During the time of the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam), companions that were not capable of giving sadaqah would ask the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) how they could give sadaqah like the wealthy. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) gave them options so that everyone would have some way of giving charity.

The following is a compilation of narrations from the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) highlighting different ways we can give sadaqah with commentary from Imam Nawawi (rahimahullah) as well as specific ideas on how one can give sadaqah with their time.

Importance of Giving Sadaqah
Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Giving in charity is an obligation upon every Muslim. It was said (to him): “What about one who does not find (the means) to do so?” He said, “Let him work with his hands, thus doing benefit to himself, and give in charity.” It was said to him: “What if he does not have (the means) to do so?” He said, “Then let him assist the needy, the aggrieved.” It was said: “What about if he cannot even do this?” He said, “Then he should enjoin good.” He was asked: “What if he cannot do that?” He said, “He should then abstain from evil, for verily, that is a charity from him.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
Imam Nawawi (rahimahullah) says, “This Hadith emphasizes two things. Firstly, it induces one to work hard so that he can fulfill his own needs and also spend in the way of Allah. Secondly, it points out a great variety of virtues and good deeds so much so that even to abstain from sin also comes in the category of sadaqah.”
Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When you get up in the morning, charity is due from every one of your joints. There is charity in every ascription of glory to Allah; there is charity in every declaration of His Greatness; there is charity in every utterance of praise of Him; there is charity in every declaration that He is the only true God (worthy of worship); there is charity in enjoining good; there is charity in forbidding evil. Two rak’ah of duha (forenoon prayer) is equal to all this (in reward).” [Muslim]
Imam Nawawi (rahimahullah) says, “There are three hundred sixty joints in a human body. It is these joints which enable him to work and make all kinds of movements. If man’s body did not have these joints, it would have been impossible for him to sit, stand, lie, move, and make use of the different organs of his body. Thus every joint is a blessing for which one must express gratitude to Allah. It is yet another blessing of Allah that He has also told man a very easy way of thanksgiving which can be practiced even by the poorest man in the world. This means of thanksgiving is recitation of tasbih (subhaan Allah), tahmid (alhamdulillah), takbir (Allahu Akbar), tahlil (la ilaha illallah), and to preach virtue and forbid wrong or unlawful conduct, etc. If one is unable to do even this, then he should perform two rak’ah prayer. If one wants to enlarge the number of rak’ah, he can increase them to eight with the condition that the eight are divided into four couplets.”

Ways You Can Give Sadaqah
  • Any good deed. ”Every good deed (ma’ruf) is charity.” [Bukhari]

We learn from this hadith that whatever good action and deed is done by a Muslim, he gets a reward of sadaqah on it. The word ma’ruf stands here for every virtue and noble deed. Renunciation of evils is also a virtue (mar’uf).
  • Dhikr/Remembrance of Allah. Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Some people said to Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam): “O Messenger of Allah, the rich have taken away (all the) reward. They observe salat (prayers) as we do; and give sadaqah (charity) out of their surplus wealth.” Upon this he said, “Has Allah not prescribed for you (a course) following which you can (also) give sadaqah? In every declaration of the glorification of Allah (i.e., saying subhaan Allah) there is a sadaqah, and in every takbirAllahu Akbar) is a sadaqah, and in every celebration of praise (saying alhamdulillah) is a sadaqah, and in every declaration that He is One (la ilaha illallah) is a sadaqah.” [Muslim] (i.e., saying

Imam Nawawi (rahimahullah) says, “This hadith highlights two important points. Firstly, the enthusiasm of the companions of the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) for surpassing each other in good actions. Secondly, it tells that virtue has a vast meaning in Islam and it includes every action which is done with good intention, provided it does not involve disobedience of Allah. So much so that it covers even natural activities of man which fall in the category of mubah (that which is permissible and may be omitted without fear of sin) and one is rewarded for them. Not only that, one is rewarded even for abstaining from a sin on the condition that the abstention is for the obedience of Allah. Then abstention rises to the level of an act of obedience and is rewarded likewise.”
  • Good Speech. ”A good word is a charity.” [Bukhari and Muslim]


  • Walking to the masjid for prayer. ”Every step that you take (towards the masjid) for prayer is a charity.” [Bukhari and Muslim]


  • Removing something harmful from the road. ”Removing harmful things from the road is a charity.” [Bukhari and Muslim]


  • Being just. ”Administering justice between two men is a charity.” [Bukhari and Muslim]


  • Helping someone with their luggage. ”Assisting a man to mount his beast, or helping him load his luggage on it is a charity.” [Bukhari and Muslim]


  • Spending on your family. ”O son of Adam, if you spend the surplus, it will be better for you; and if you retain it, it will be bad for you. You will not be reprimanded for keeping what is enough for your need. Begin with those who are your dependents, and the upper hand (i.e., the one that spends in the way of Allah) is better than the lower hand (i.e., the one that receives charity).” [Muslim]


  • Assisting the needy. ”Then let him assist the needy, the aggrieved.” [Bukhari and Muslim]


  • Enjoining good. ”Then he should enjoin good.” [Bukhari and Muslim]


  • Abstaining from evil. ”"He should then abstain from evil, for verily, that is a charity from him.” [Bukhari and Muslim]


  • Planting a tree. ”When a Muslim plants a tree, whatever is eaten from it is charity from him and whatever is stolen is charity and whatever is subtracted from it is charity.” [Muslim]


  • Feeding others. A man asked Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam), “Which act in Islam is the best?” He (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) replied, “To feed (the poor and the needy) and to greet those whom you know and those you do not know.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]


  • Using any resource (time, food, knowledge) to spend on others. ”And whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah’s Cause), He will replace it.” (34:39)

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