|
Sadaqa
is what is given voluntarily for the sake of Allah to obtain
the recompense from Allah when the person who does so aims
at conformity with the truth in his deed.
SADAQA
is voluntary while ZAKA is obligatory
For zaka, there
are direct commands of Allah in the imperative [AATTOOZAKA]
while SADAQA is not enjoined in the Quran in the
imperative. Moreover, 2:280; 4:92; 5:45 also depict the
voluntary aspect of the word SADAQA.
SADAQA
is for the sake of Allah alone
The verses
9:104; 57:18 indicate this aspect
More
characteristics of SADAQA
No show off
[2:266]
Not to make him,
to whom it is given, feel obliged [2:266]
The feelings of
the one to whom it is given should not get hurt [2:263;
2:266]
Whom the
SADAQA goes to?
-FUQARAA
[2:271, 9:60]
-MASAKEEN
-AAMILEEN
-Those whose
hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth) [e.g. new
converts/reverts to Islam]
-To free the
slaves
-Gharimeen
-Ibn-sabeel
[9:60]
This
apportioning or allocation is from Allah [9:60]
How much
should be given as SADAQA?
The rich should
give according to their resources and the poor according to
their [9:79]
How it should
be given?
Openly or
secretly [2:271]
Can be given
directly to FUQARAA [2:271]
Can be given to
an authority who can distribute to the deserving [9:58;
9:103]
Some
differences between ZAKA and SADAQA
1. Zaka
is obligatory while Sadaqa is supererogatory or
voluntary. The money for the purpose of zaka can be
taken by force by the authorities while for Sadaqa,
this is not the case
2. Zaka
must be managed by a central authority while Sadaqa
may be given individually or through authorities
3. Sadaqa
is usually for exigencies or a sudden unforeseen crisis
while Zaka is a continuous program aimed at providing
the resources for the physical and personal development of
the people
4. For Zaka,
no categories of people have been mentioned in the Quran to
whom it is for. [it is for the general physical and personal
development of all]. For sadaqa, the categories of
people whom it is for is mentioned.
5. In a bid to
establish an economic system based upon the Quranic
teachings, Sadaqa may be a measure much prevalent in
the transitory stage while Zakaat will be the main
hallmark of the maturity of such a system when all will be
provided what they need for their physical and personal
development
6. To affect
Zaka, an Islamic authority may levy fixed taxes of
different sorts changeable according to the economic state
of the nation but for Sadaqa, there is no fixed
amount.
Comments by Dr. Syed
Mustafa Ali, UK (02-08-2005)
Salaamun aleikum.
You maintain in your article on
SADAQAT that it is voluntary (on the basis that the verb,
sadaqa, does not appear in the imperative form in The
Qur'an). However, The Qur'an appears to state that it is
fard (obligatory) - (9:60).
I would be interested in your opinion
on this point.
Fi amaan illah
Response to Comments:
Many thanks for your comments. Here is
my humble understanding:
The keyword you have
pointed out in 9:60 is fareedatan. Although
the word is sometimes used as a substitute of 'fard''
meaning, "A thing made obligatory or binding OR an
obligatory statute or ordinance" but 'fareedatan'
also means "anything apportioned or appointed" [Lane's
Lexicon]. Hence "fareedatan mina Allahi"
means that this 'apportioning is from Allah'
(that Sadaq'aat are for The indigent, for those
incapacitated to earn, for those who are employed in the
collection and administration of Sadaq’aat, for those
who sincerely wish to join the Divine Order but are unable
to do so due to financial difficulties, for setting free
those in bondage, for those who are unduly burdened
financially, for those who strive in the cause of Allah and
for the stranded travelers) .
|