Zakat and Sadaqa is a form of giving and contributing for the sake of Allah. However, there are certain differences that we need to know between zakat and sadaqa. Thus, what are the differences:
What is Zakat?
1. one of the five pillars of arkanul Islam (obligations) that we must complete to become a Muslim.
2. obligatory duty (wajib) in Islam
3. must give to Asnaf (8 specific categories of people)
Ⅰ. FAKIR One who has neither material possession nor means of livelihood; one who suffers, and has no means to sustain his/her daily needs.
Ⅱ. MISKIN One who has insufficient means of livelihood to meet his/her basic needs.
Ⅲ. FISABILILLAH One who strives in the cause of Allah.
Ⅳ. GHARIMIN One who is in debt and needs assistance to meet his/her basic needs.
Ⅴ. RIQAB One who is freeing himself/herself from the bondage or shackles of slavery.
Ⅵ. MUALLAF One who recently embraced Islam.
Ⅶ. AMIL One who is appointed to collect Zakat.
Ⅷ. IBNUSSABIL Stranded travellers ona permissible journey.
4. every year must pay a specific amount – according to our income and business profits, must be calculated according to hukum.
5. must pay in monetary value, on the completion of the year, on every year, at specific time, when qualified to pay the Zakat.
6. It becomes a major sin if they do not pay Zakat after they qualified to pay it as prescribed by Allah
Spiritual Benefits of Zakat:
(1) will be blessed with the remembrance of Allah
(2) will be granted thaqwah
(3) will be blessed with RedhaLlah
(4) will be blessed with more fortunes
(5) fulfillment of social responsibility
(6) being thankful to Allah for giving us multiplied Ni’mah
(7) and many more………
What is Sadaqah?
Sadaqa is a voluntary Ibadah (contribution) to please Allah swt.
Sadaqa is not wajib (not compulsory as Zakat) but it is an act of sunnah to come closer to Allah swt.
Sadaqa is performed sincerely just to please Allah swt For example sadaqa is :
(1) not part of the five pillars that is prescribed by Allah
(2) voluntary act (sunnah)
(3) not given to a specific category of people but could be given to family, friends or anybody for the sake of Allah swt.
(4) no necessary with monetary value or specific amount of money or gift but it could be with a sincere smile, good akhlaq or any righteous deed.
(5) not limited to specific time or a season but it could be at anytime, the more the better.
(6) can be in non monetary value – energy, services, presence, support, visits, advice, guidance and many more…..
(7) does not fall into major sin if we do not give Sadaqa but will be rewarded abundantly for doing instead.
Spiritual benefits of giving Sadaqah:
(1) will be blessed with the remembrance of Allah
(2) will be erased the sins
(3) will be blessed with thaqarrub (closeness with Allah)
(4) will be protected from fitnah and musibah
(5) will be soften the heart
(6) will become a grateful servant of Allah
(7) shading on the day of Judgement
(8) empathetic towards those less deserving
(9) to develop humility
(10) will be multiplied the bounties of Allah and rewarded abundantly
(11) being thankful to Allah for giving us multiplied Ni’mah of wealth, health, capacity and opportunities.
As many of us, I myself too, often wondered or puzzled about the difference between zakat and sadaqah. That is why, here, I have listed separately Zakat and Sadaqa, hope this may benefit for all of us in sha Allah.
Why do we need to know the difference?
It is important to know them in order to segregate which will be our priority and wajib to complete first….
(1) Zakat is Wajib and it is our first and foremost priority, must complete it first. Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam, if we do not perform it our Islam is not Complete.
(2) We will not fall into MAJOR SIN by not performing it NauzubiLlahi minzalika.
(3) We must distinguish between Zakat and Sadaqa as Allah swt prescribed.
(4) We must know what it is for? and we must make Niyyah separately when we contribute Zakat and Sadaqa.
Zakat and sadaq both are ibadahs and must be done only for the sake of Allah swt.
Zakat is wajib while Sadaqa is highly recommended optional act of Ibadah.
Sadqa must be given sincerely, just for the sake of Allah, only seeking Allah’s pleasure and Redha Sdaqa must not be done for popularity or publicity.
Sadaqa must not be nullified by Riya (show off), taunting and disturbing the recipients. We must not even expect a thanks from the recipients, whether they thank or not we only do our duty for the sake of Allah – just to please Allah swt. Nothing else. Allah swt says : يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تُبْطِلُوا۟ صَدَقَـٰتِكُم بِٱلْمَنِّ وَٱلْأَذَىٰ كَٱلَّذِى يُنفِقُ مَالَهُۥ رِئَآءَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ…………….O ye who believe! cancel not your Sadaqa (charity) by reminders of your generosity or by injury,- like those who spend their substance to be seen of men, but believe neither in Allah nor in the Last Day………..(AlBaqarah 264)
Ya Allah, we beg You to forgive us and accept our ibadah zakat for us to fulfill one of the main pillars of Your Islam and to be blessed with Your Redha in dunia and akhirat.
Ya Allah we beg You to grant us more thoufeeq with Iman, taqwah, protection, health and wealth for us to serve You sincerely and to do more Sadaqa and charity for us to be blessed with Your Redha in dunia and akhirat.
Ya Allah we beg You to grant us more rezqi with more thoufeeq and opportunities with long life and happiness for us to serve You more and do more and more Sadaqa sincerely for You ya Allah Ameen ameen ameen Ya Allah.
Realization Of My Soul 