Who is eligible for Sadaqah?

When it comes to who is eligible for Sadaqah, it is a charity that can be performed by anyone, for anyone (including animals).

In a Hadith, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“If a Muslim plants a tree, or sows a field and men and beasts and birds eat from it, all of it is charity from him“. (Muslim)

There are countless ways to give Sadaqah. There are also specific types of Sadaqah that help, aid, or fund specific things.

One of the most fundamental teachings in the Islamic tradition, is to care for those who are less fortunate than ourselves. In a famous Hadith we are told that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

“One who strives to help the widows and the poor is like the one who fights in the way of Allah.” (Bukhari)

Unlike Zakat, Sadaqah is a voluntary form of charity that anyone can be eligible for. For millions of people around the world who live without adequate shelter, food, hygiene facilities, employment, or education opportunities, it is their lifeline.

How Islamic Relief uses your Sadaqah and Sadaqah Jariyah donations 

For many of the world’s most vulnerable, your donations are a lifeline.

When you provide a Sadaqah donation to Islamic Relief, you can change the future of an orphan in need. Through your vital donations, they are provided with a way home to food, shelter, an education, and a chance at a brighter future.

Giving Sadaqah can help provide crucial medical care that people facing the effects of war and crisis can seek relief in. For example, our brothers and sisters in Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria and Palestine.

Sadaqah Jariyah can help provide sustainable long-term water provisions. As a result, it can benefit individuals, families, and entire communities for many years to come.

Your donations can provide livelihoods to thousands of people and communities. As a result, this helps to break the poverty cycle and lift individuals in need into wellbeing. Sadaqah Jariyah is what today’s international development sector calls ‘sustainable development’. Over 1400 years ago, Islam promoted Sadaqah Jariyah. It encompasses the majority of the sustainable development programmes carried out by both Islamic Relief and other NGOs today.