Sadaqah, voluntary charity, is one of the most loved deeds in Islam. It purifies wealth, softens the heart, helps people in need and brings reward that can continue long after we are gone. Yet many Muslims wonder: if I want to give, what is the best sadaqah in Islam? Should I give money, food or water? Is it better to give secretly or openly? And can I give sadaqah on behalf of a parent who has passed away?
In this guide we look at the best forms of sadaqah described in the Quran and Sunnah, with practical examples of how you can give today, from building a water well to sharing meat with families in need in Makkah.
What Is Sadaqah?
The word sadaqah comes from the Arabic root s-d-q, meaning truthfulness. Giving charity is a sign of the truthfulness of a person's faith. In Islam, sadaqah means any voluntary act of giving for the sake of Allah, whether it is money, food, time, knowledge or even a kind word.
Allah describes the reward of charity in a beautiful image: "The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed of grain that grows seven ears; in each ear are a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies (His reward) for whom He wills" (Quran 2:261).
Sadaqah vs Zakat
| Sadaqah | Zakat | |
|---|---|---|
| Obligation | Voluntary | Obligatory (one of the five pillars) |
| Amount | Any amount | 2.5% of qualifying wealth above the nisab |
| Timing | Any time | Once a lunar year when conditions are met |
| Recipients | Anyone in need, and many good causes | The eight categories named in Quran 9:60 |
| Forms | Money, food, time, a smile, knowledge | Usually wealth or its value |
Zakat is a duty; sadaqah is an open door. Both are rewarded, and sadaqah can be given at any time, in any amount, by anyone.
The Best Forms of Sadaqah in Islam
1. Sadaqah Jariyah: Charity That Keeps on Giving
The Prophet ﷺ said: "When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity), knowledge from which benefit is gained, or a righteous child who prays for him" (Sahih Muslim 1631).
Sadaqah jariyah is any charity whose benefit continues over time, so its reward continues too. Examples include:
- Building or supporting a water well.
- Helping to build or maintain a mosque.
- Donating copies of the Quran or Islamic books.
- Supporting a school or the education of a student.
- Planting trees that people and animals benefit from.
This is often described as the best sadaqah in Islam, because its reward can reach you for years, even after death. Read more in our guide on what sadaqah jariyah means in Islam.
2. Giving Water
When the companion Sa'd ibn Ubadah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet ﷺ which charity was best to give on behalf of his late mother, he replied: "Water" (Sunan Abu Dawud 1681). Sa'd then dug a well and dedicated it to his mother.
Water is life. Providing clean water through a well, a water cooler, or even bottles of water for worshippers and travellers is one of the most rewarding forms of charity.
3. Feeding People
The Prophet ﷺ was asked which deed in Islam is best. He said: "To feed people, and to greet with salam those you know and those you do not know" (Sahih al-Bukhari 12).
Feeding the hungry is mentioned again and again in the Quran as a quality of the righteous. You can feed people by:
- Giving food parcels to families in need.
- Providing iftar for fasting people in Ramadan.
- Sharing meat with the poor through a Sadaqah Zabiha, where an animal is sacrificed purely as charity and its meat distributed.
At MakkahZabiha, we perform Sadaqah Zabiha in Makkah, with the meat shared among families in need in the blessed city.
4. Charity to Your Relatives
Charity begins at home. When Zaynab, the wife of Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, asked whether giving to her husband and the orphans in her care counted as charity, the Prophet ﷺ said that she would have two rewards: the reward of kinship and the reward of charity (Sahih al-Bukhari 1466).
Helping a struggling sibling, supporting elderly parents or paying for a cousin's education are all forms of sadaqah, with the added reward of keeping family ties strong.
5. Giving When It Is Hard
The Prophet ﷺ was asked which charity is the greatest in reward. He said: "That you give charity while you are healthy and covetous, fearing poverty and hoping to be rich. Do not delay it until death approaches" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1419).
Allah also says: "You will never attain righteousness until you spend from that which you love" (Quran 3:92). Charity that costs us something, given from what we value, carries special weight. Don't wait for the "perfect time"; give while you are able.
6. Secret Charity
Among the seven people whom Allah will shade on the Day of Judgement is "a person who gives charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1423).
Allah says: "If you disclose your charitable expenditures, they are good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you" (Quran 2:271). Secret charity protects sincerity and the dignity of the person receiving it. Giving openly is also permitted, especially when it encourages others to give.
7. Sadaqah on Behalf of the Deceased
A man told the Prophet ﷺ that his mother had died suddenly, and asked whether she would be rewarded if he gave charity on her behalf. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Yes" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1388).
This is a great comfort for anyone who has lost a parent or loved one. You can give sadaqah in their name, such as water, food, a Quran or a Sadaqah Zabiha, and pray that Allah sends the reward to them. Many families arrange a Sadaqah Zabiha in Makkah on behalf of a deceased parent, so the meat feeds people in need in their name.
8. Charity at Blessed Times and in Blessed Places
Every charity is rewarded, but some times and places carry extra virtue:
- Ramadan: the Prophet ﷺ was the most generous of people, and he was most generous of all in Ramadan (Sahih al-Bukhari 6).
- The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah: the Prophet ﷺ said there are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days (Sahih al-Bukhari 969).
- Fridays and the last ten nights of Ramadan, when many Muslims seek Laylat al-Qadr.
- Makkah and Madinah: many Muslims choose to give charity in the holy cities, where good deeds carry special meaning.
9. Everyday Sadaqah That Costs Nothing
Sadaqah is not only for the wealthy. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Every act of goodness is charity" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6021). He also taught that:
- "Your smile in the face of your brother is charity" (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1956).
- Removing something harmful from the road is charity (Sahih Muslim 1009).
- A good word is charity.
- Helping someone onto their ride or carrying their bags is charity.
These small acts can be done every day, by everyone, and they add up.
Sadaqah Zabiha: Sacrifice as Charity
One form of sadaqah that is especially popular in South Asian and Arab communities is Sadaqah Zabiha, sacrificing an animal purely as charity and giving its meat to people in need. It is commonly given:
- In gratitude after recovery from illness, a new job or a safe return from travel.
- On behalf of a deceased family member.
- When starting something new, such as moving into a new home.
- Simply as a way of feeding the poor.
Sadaqah Zabiha is different from Qurbani, which is tied to the days of Eid al-Adha and has its own rules. You can read about the difference between Qurbani and Sadaqah Zabiha in our detailed guide.
How MakkahZabiha Can Help
If you would like to give Sadaqah Zabiha in Makkah:
- Choose a goat or sheep (from $220) or a camel (from $2,200) and select the Sadaqah Zabiha option.
- Enter the name of the person the sadaqah is for, whether yourself, a family member or someone who has passed away.
- The animal is sacrificed in Makkah according to Islamic guidelines.
- The meat is distributed to families in need in Makkah.
Browse our Sadaqah Zabiha options to get started.
How to Make Your Sadaqah Count
To make your charity as beneficial as possible:
- Give sincerely, for Allah alone. Intention is the foundation of every deed.
- Give from halal earnings. Allah is pure and accepts only what is pure.
- Don't remind people of your gift. Allah warns: "Do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury" (Quran 2:264).
- Give regularly, even if small. The Prophet ﷺ taught that the most beloved deeds to Allah are those done consistently, even if they are small.
- Give wisely. Choose trustworthy organisations and causes where your charity truly reaches those in need.
- Don't feel your charity is too small. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Protect yourselves from the Fire, even with half a date" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1417).
Remember too that charity never reduces your wealth. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Charity does not decrease wealth" (Sahih Muslim 2588).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best sadaqah in Islam?
Many scholars point to sadaqah jariyah, ongoing charity such as a water well, a mosque or beneficial knowledge, because its reward continues even after death. The Prophet ﷺ also named water, feeding people and charity given when it is hard for us as among the best forms of giving.
What is the difference between sadaqah and zakat?
Zakat is an obligatory charity of 2.5% on qualifying wealth, paid once a year to specific categories of people. Sadaqah is voluntary, can be any amount, can be given at any time and includes non-financial acts such as a smile or helping others.
Can I give sadaqah on behalf of my deceased parents?
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ confirmed that charity given on behalf of a deceased parent benefits them. You can give water, food, a Quran or a Sadaqah Zabiha in their name and make dua that Allah accepts it for them.
Is it better to give sadaqah secretly?
Secret charity is generally better because it protects sincerity and the dignity of the receiver (Quran 2:271). However, giving openly is also good, especially when it encourages others to give.
What is Sadaqah Zabiha?
Sadaqah Zabiha is the sacrifice of an animal, such as a goat, sheep or camel, purely as charity, with the meat given to people in need. It can be done at any time of year and is different from Qurbani, which is linked to Eid al-Adha.
How much sadaqah should I give?
There is no fixed amount. Give what you can, regularly and sincerely. Even a small amount given consistently is beloved to Allah, and even half a date given in charity can protect a person from the Fire.
Can sadaqah be given to non-Muslims?
Yes. Voluntary sadaqah can be given to anyone in need, Muslim or non-Muslim. Zakat, however, has specific rules about who can receive it.
Conclusion
The best forms of sadaqah in Islam are those given sincerely, consistently and where they are most needed: ongoing charity like water wells and mosques, feeding the hungry, supporting relatives, giving on behalf of loved ones who have passed away, and the countless small acts of kindness that fill our days.
Whatever you give, Allah sees it and multiplies it. If you would like to share meat with families in need in the holy city, you can give a Sadaqah Zabiha in Makkah for yourself or on behalf of someone you love.
May Allah accept our charity and make it a means of mercy for us and for those we give to.