Sadaqa

Voluntary charity in Islam; zakat is the obligatory alms.

Sadaqa is voluntary charity in Islam. The word is related to sidq, sincerity: giving is a sign of sincere faith. Sadaqa is different from zakat, the obligatory annual contribution on wealth above a certain threshold. Zakat has fixed rules and recipients; sadaqa can be given at any time, in any form and in any amount.

According to tradition sadaqa is much broader than money. A smile to your brother is sadaqa, a good word is sadaqa, removing something harmful from the road is sadaqa. Even someone with nothing to give can give in this way. And sadaqa given in secret, so that your left hand does not know what your right hand gives, is especially praised.

A special form is sadaqa jariya, ongoing charity: a well, a tree, a school or knowledge that others still benefit from after your death. According to a well-known hadith a person's deeds end at death, except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge and a righteous child who prays for them.

Sadaqa often returns in dream interpretation. Someone who dreams of a deceased relative who seems to ask for help, food or water is often advised in the tradition to give sadaqa on that person's behalf and to pray for them. After a bad dream too, many people advise giving something, as gratitude and as protection.

A dream in which you give is classically read favourably: blessing, an increase in what you have, or a worry being taken away. According to tradition giving never diminishes your wealth. A dream in which you refuse to give can instead be an encouragement to be more generous.