Difference between Zakat and Sadaqah in Islam
Islam places great emphasis on charity as a means to purify wealth, assist the needy, and foster compassion in society. Two prominent forms of charity are Zakat and Sadaqah. While both involve giving to those in need, they differ in their nature, obligation, and purpose. Below, we explore these differences in detail, incorporating the virtues of both practices and elaborating on their recipients, including the provision for Sadaqah to non-Muslims.
Obligation
- Zakat:
- Zakat (زكاة) is a mandatory act of worship and one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
- It is an obligation for every eligible Muslim to pay if their wealth exceeds the Nisab (minimum threshold) for a lunar year.
- Sadaqah:
- Sadaqah (صدقة) is a voluntary act of charity given out of kindness and goodwill.
- It is not obligatory but highly encouraged as a means to gain Allah’s pleasure.
Amount
- Zakat:
- Zakat has fixed rates. For example, 2.5% of savings, gold, silver, or trade goods, and specific rates for agricultural produce and livestock.
- It is calculated based on wealth after deducting liabilities.
- Sadaqah:
- There is no fixed amount for Sadaqah. It can be as small or as large as the giver wishes.
Recipients of Zakat
The recipients of Zakat are explicitly outlined in the Qur’an, ensuring it reaches those who are most deserving. Allah says:
إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
Translation: “The alms are only for the poor, the needy, those employed to collect them, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, for freeing slaves, for those in debt, for the cause of Allah, and for the wayfarer. This is an obligation from Allah, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:60)
The eight categories of Zakat recipients are:
- The Poor (الفقراء):
- Those who have little or no wealth and struggle to meet basic needs.
- The Needy (المساكين):
- Individuals who may have some resources but are still unable to fulfill essential requirements.
- Zakat Collectors (العاملين عليها):
- Those appointed to collect, manage, and distribute Zakat funds.
- Those Whose Hearts Are to Be Reconciled (المؤلفة قلوبهم):
- People who are new to Islam or whose support can benefit the Muslim community.
- For Freeing Slaves (في الرقاب):
- To aid in freeing individuals from slavery or paying ransoms for captives.
- Those in Debt (الغارمين):
- Individuals who are overwhelmed by debts and unable to repay them.
- For the Cause of Allah (في سبيل الله):
- Supporting efforts that promote and defend Islam, such as legitimate dawah activities or aiding those fighting in the path of Allah.
- The Wayfarer (ابن السبيل):
- Travelers in need who are stranded far from home and lack resources to return.
Eligibility for Sadaqah in the Hadith
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also provided detailed guidance on who should receive charity. One of his most famous sayings regarding sadaqah is:
“The upper hand is better than the lower hand. The upper hand is the one that gives, and the lower hand is the one that receives.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1426)
الْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَى وَالْيَدُ السُّفْلَى هِيَ الَّتِي تَسْتَكْثِرُ وَالْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا الَّتِي تَحْتَسِبُ
This hadith emphasizes the virtue of giving charity and highlights that giving is superior to receiving, while urging Muslims to be generous to those in need.
Another important hadith is:
“If a person is in need and you give him sadaqah, he should be someone who will not feel humiliated or ashamed to ask for it.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1035)
إِنَّ الصَّدَقَةَ لَا تَحِلُّ لِغَنِيٍّ وَلَا لِقَوِيٍّ صَحِيحٍ وَإِنَّمَا تَحِلُّ لِفَقِيرٍ لَا يَجِدُ مَا يُغْنِيهِ
This highlights that sadaqah should be given in a way that maintains the dignity of the recipient and prevents them from feeling embarrassed or degraded.
Recipients of Sadqah
Sadaqah can be given to anyone in need, including family, friends, neighbors, and even non-Muslims. There are no restrictions on recipients.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) further elaborated on the specific recipients of charity. In addition to the general guidelines mentioned in the Quran, he also emphasized the importance of giving charity to particular groups:
- The Poor: The Prophet (PBUH) often urged Muslims to give charity to the poor, those struggling to meet their basic needs. He said:
“The best charity is that which is given to a poor person.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1419)
أَفْضَلُ الصَّدَقَةِ صَدَقَةٌ تُعْطَى لِفَقِيرٍ
- The Orphan: The Prophet (PBUH) gave special importance to orphans. He said:
“I and the one who looks after an orphan will be like this in Paradise,”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5304)
“أنا وكافل اليتيم في الجنة هكذا”
as he joined his two fingers together.
- The Widow: The Prophet (PBUH) also highlighted the importance of helping widows. He stated:
“The best of charity is that given to a widow and a poor person.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1000)
أَفْضَلُ الصَّدَقَةِ صَدَقَةٌ تُعْطَى لِأَرْمَلَةٍ وَفَقِيرٍ
- Family and Relatives: Charity given to one’s relatives holds a special status. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“The best charity is that given to a relative who has been cut off.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 1810)
أَفْضَلُ الصَّدَقَةِ صَدَقَةٌ تُعْطَى لِقَرِيبٍ قَاطِعٍ
Timing
- Zakat:
- Zakat is paid annually, typically after a lunar year of possessing wealth above the Nisab threshold.
- Sadaqah:
- Sadaqah can be given at any time and in any amount.
Purpose
- Zakat:
- The purpose of Zakat is to purify wealth and redistribute resources to help alleviate poverty and inequality in society.
- The Qur’an states:
- خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِمْ بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ صَلَاتَكَ سَكَنٌ لَهُمْ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
Translation: “Take from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them to increase, and invoke Allah’s blessings upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:103)
- Sadaqah:
- The purpose of Sadaqah is to show generosity and compassion and to help those in immediate need. It is a means of earning Allah’s pleasure and blessings.
Scope
- Zakat:
- Zakat applies only to specific forms of wealth (e.g., savings, gold, livestock, and crops).
- Sadaqah:
- Sadaqah has a broader scope. It can be financial or non-financial, such as smiling at someone or removing harmful objects from the road.
- Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
- تَبَسُّمُكَ فِي وَجْهِ أَخِيكَ لَكَ صَدَقَةٌ
Translation: “Your smile for your brother is charity (Sadaqah).” (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1956)
Virtues of Zakat and Sadaqah
Virtues of Zakat
- Purification of Wealth and Soul:
- The Qur’an emphasizes the purifying effect of Zakat:
- وَمَا أُنفِقْتُم مِّن نَّفَقَةٍ أَوْ نَذَرْتُم مِّن نَّذْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُهُ
- The Qur’an emphasizes the purifying effect of Zakat:
Translation: “And whatever you spend in charity or whatever vow you make, Allah certainly knows it.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:270)
- Protection from Hellfire:
- The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
- اتَّقُوا النَّارَ وَلَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ
- The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
Translation: “Protect yourselves from the Fire even with half a date (in charity).” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1417)
- Increases Wealth:
- Giving Zakat does not decrease wealth but blesses it. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
- مَا نَقَصَ مَالُ عَبْدٍ مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ
- Translation: “No wealth is diminished by giving charity.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2588)
- مَا نَقَصَ مَالُ عَبْدٍ مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ
Virtues of Sadaqah
- Acts as a Shield:
- The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
- الصَّدَقَةُ تُطْفِئُ الْخَطِيئَةَ كَمَا يُطْفِئُ الْمَاءُ النَّارَ
- The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
Translation: “Charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire.” (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 614)
- Increases Wealth:
- Allah promises blessings for those who give:
- مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتۡ سَبۡعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنبُلَة مِّاْئَةُ حَبَّة
- Allah promises blessings for those who give:
Translation: “The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] that sprouts seven ears; in every ear is a hundred grains.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:261)
- Continuous Reward (Sadaqah Jariyah):
- The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
- إِذَا مَاتَ ٱبْنُ آدَمَ ٱنقَطَعَ عَمَلُهُ إِلَّا مِنْ ثَلَاثٍ: صَدَقَةٍ جَارِيَةٍ…
- The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
Translation: “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1631)
10. Sadaqah for Non-Muslims
Islamic teachings advocate kindness and support for all humanity, including non-Muslims. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) set an example by giving to non-Muslims and emphasizing universal compassion. He said:
- إِنَّمَا يُنصَرُ ٱللَّهُ هَذَا ٱلدِّينَ بِقَوْمٍ لَا خَلَاقَ لَهُمۡ
- Translation: “Allah supports this religion even through a people who have no part in it.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3062)
Muslims are encouraged to offer Sadaqah to anyone in need, irrespective of their faith, as a means of building bridges and demonstrating the values of Islam. Scholars emphasize that extending charity to non-Muslims fosters harmony and reflects the universal values of Islam.
Zakat and Sadaqah Comparison Table
Aspect | Zakat | Sadaqah |
Definition | Obligatory charity; one of the Five Pillars of Islam. | Voluntary charity given out of goodwill. |
Obligation | Mandatory for Muslims who meet the Nisab threshold. | Not obligatory; encouraged for all Muslims. |
Amount | Fixed rate (e.g., 2.5% of savings, gold, or trade goods). | No fixed amount; can be monetary or non-monetary. |
Recipients | Limited to eight categories defined in Surah At-Tawbah (9:60). | No restrictions; can be given to anyone in need, including non-Muslims. |
Timing | Paid annually once wealth exceeds the Nisab for a lunar year. | Can be given anytime. |
Purpose | Purifies wealth, reduces inequality, and fulfills an Islamic obligation. | Demonstrates kindness, earns Allah’s pleasure, and addresses immediate needs. |
Virtues | Purifies wealth and soul, protects from Hellfire, and increases blessings in wealth. | Erases sins, protects from calamities, and increases love and compassion in society. |
Qur’anic Reference | Surah At-Tawbah (9:103): “Take from their wealth a charity to purify them…” | Surah Al-Baqarah (2:274): “Those who spend by night and day, secretly and publicly…” |
Hadith Reference | Prophet (ﷺ): “Protect yourselves from the Fire even with half a date.” (Bukhari 1417) | Prophet (ﷺ): “Charity extinguishes sins just as water extinguishes fire.” (Tirmidhi 614) |


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