Charity Beyond Money
What does charity mean in Islam beyond giving money?
Discover the wide Islamic meaning of sadaqah (charity): a smile, a kind word, fair judgement, removing harm from a path, and giving without reminders or hurt.
Why it matters
When people hear 'charity', they usually think of money. Money matters: it feeds people and funds hospitals and schools. But if charity meant only money, people with little would be shut out of one of the most rewarding forms of good.
Islamic teaching defines charity far more broadly, so that everyone, every day, has something to give.
The teaching
Two kinds of giving
Zakah is an obligatory annual payment of a portion of qualifying wealth, given to specified groups in need. It is one of the five pillars of Islam, and its detailed rules are a specialised field for qualified scholars.
Sadaqah is voluntary charity. It has no minimum and no fixed form, and the hadith show that it includes much more than money.
Every joint, every day
The Prophet taught that charity is due 'for every joint of the human body' every day the sun rises, and then explained how to pay it: judging justly between two people, helping someone with their mount or luggage, a good word, every step towards prayer, and removing something harmful from the road (Sahih al-Bukhari 2989).
Another hadith adds smiling at someone, guiding a lost person, helping someone with poor sight, and sharing water from your bucket (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1956, graded hasan by Darussalam).
When you have nothing to give
When Companions asked what someone with nothing should do, the Prophet gave a sequence: work and give; if unable, help someone in need; if unable, encourage what is good; and if unable even to do that, refrain from harm, 'for that will be considered for Him as a Sadaqa' (Sahih al-Bukhari 6022).
Even not causing harm counts. Nobody is excluded from giving.
How you give matters
The Qur'an warns against spoiling charity 'with reminders or injury' (2:264), and says that 'kind speech and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury' (2:263). Charity that humiliates the recipient loses its value.
The righteous are described as giving food 'in spite of love for it' and saying: 'We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude' (76:8–9). Giving freely, without expecting thanks, protects the dignity of the person receiving.
From the Qur'an
Each passage shows the Arabic text, an attributed English translation, and our explanatory note, kept visually separate.
Arabic text
مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمۡوَٰلَهُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنۢبَتَتۡ سَبۡعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنۢبُلَةٖ مِّاْئَةُ حَبَّةٖۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُضَٰعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُۚ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ261 ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمۡوَٰلَهُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ لَا يُتۡبِعُونَ مَآ أَنفَقُواْ مَنّٗا وَلَآ أَذٗى لَّهُمۡ أَجۡرُهُمۡ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ وَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ262 ۞قَوۡلٞ مَّعۡرُوفٞ وَمَغۡفِرَةٌ خَيۡرٞ مِّن صَدَقَةٖ يَتۡبَعُهَآ أَذٗىۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَنِيٌّ حَلِيمٞ263
Translation · Saheeh International
261The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing
262Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and then do not follow up what they have spent with reminders [of it] or [other] injury will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve
263Kind speech and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury. And Allah is Free of need and Forbearing
Explanatory note (our words, not part of the Qur'an)
Giving multiplies like a grain producing seven ears; kind words are better than charity followed by hurt.
Arabic text
۞لَّيۡسَ ٱلۡبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمۡ قِبَلَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقِ وَٱلۡمَغۡرِبِ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱلۡبِرَّ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلۡمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِي ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَٰكِينَ وَٱبۡنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَٱلسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِي ٱلرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلۡمُوفُونَ بِعَهۡدِهِمۡ إِذَا عَٰهَدُواْۖ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ فِي ٱلۡبَأۡسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَحِينَ ٱلۡبَأۡسِۗ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُواْۖ وَأُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُتَّقُونَ177
Translation · Saheeh International
177Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous
Explanatory note (our words, not part of the Qur'an)
True righteousness combines belief with giving to relatives, orphans, the needy, travellers and those who ask, as well as keeping promises and patience.
Arabic text
وَيُطۡعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسۡكِينٗا وَيَتِيمٗا وَأَسِيرًا8 إِنَّمَا نُطۡعِمُكُمۡ لِوَجۡهِ ٱللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمۡ جَزَآءٗ وَلَا شُكُورًا9
Translation · Saheeh International
8And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive
9[Saying], "We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude
Explanatory note (our words, not part of the Qur'an)
Giving sincerely, without seeking thanks, is praised.
From the hadith
Hadith are reports of the Prophet Muhammad's words and actions. Each one below shows its collection, reference number and grading, with the authority that graded it.
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "There is a (compulsory) Sadaqa (charity) to be given for every joint of the human body (as a sign of gratitude to Allah) everyday the sun rises. To judge justly between two persons is regarded as Sadaqa, and to help a man concerning his riding animal by helping him to ride it or by lifting his luggage on to it, is also regarded as Sadaqa, and (saying) a good word is also Sadaqa, and every step taken on one's way to offer the compulsory prayer (in the mosque) is also Sadaqa and to remove a harmful thing from the way is also Sadaqa."
Why it matters here
Charity includes justice, practical help, kind words and removing harm.
Source, grading and translation details
- Collection
- Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 2989 (Book 56, Hadith 198)
- Numbering
- Muhammad Fu'ad 'Abd al-Baqi numbering, as used on sunnah.com
- Grade
- Sahih: Included in Sahih al-Bukhari, a collection accepted as authentic (sahih) by Sunni hadith scholarship
- Translation
- Muhammad Muhsin Khan (English translation as published on sunnah.com)
- Checked
- sunnah.com English dataset (offline copy in the `hadith` npm package v1.3.0): wording, number, in-book reference and grade, on 2026-10-09
- Editorial note
- Words in brackets were added by the translator.
Abu Dharr narrated that the Messenger of Allah said :
"Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity, commanding good and forbidding evil is charity, your giving directions to a man lost in the land is charity for you. Your seeing for a man with bad sight is a charity for you, your removal of a rock, a thorn or a bone from the road is charity for you. Your pouring what remains from your bucket into the bucket of your brother is charity for you."
Why it matters here
A smile and small everyday help count as charity.
Source, grading and translation details
- Collection
- Jami` at-Tirmidhi, no. 1956 (Book 27, Hadith 62)
- Numbering
- Ahmad Shakir / 'Abd al-Baqi numbering, as used on sunnah.com
- Grade
- Hasan: Darussalam
- Translation
- Darussalam English edition, as published on sunnah.com
- Checked
- sunnah.com English dataset (offline copy in the `hadith` npm package v1.3.0): wording, number, in-book reference and grade, on 2026-10-09
Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "On every Muslim there is enjoined (a compulsory) Sadaqa (alms)." They (the people) said, "If one has nothing?' He said, "He should work with his hands so that he may benefit himself and give in charity." They said, "If he cannot work or does not work?" He said, "Then he should help the oppressed unhappy person (by word or action or both)." They said, "If he does not do it?" He said, "Then he should enjoin what is good (or said what is reasonable).' They said, "If he does not do that''' He said, "Then he should refrain from doing evil, for that will be considered for Him as a Sadaqa (charity) . "
Why it matters here
Everyone can give something, even if only by refraining from harm.
Source, grading and translation details
- Collection
- Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 6022 (Book 78, Hadith 53)
- Numbering
- Muhammad Fu'ad 'Abd al-Baqi numbering, as used on sunnah.com
- Grade
- Sahih: Included in Sahih al-Bukhari, a collection accepted as authentic (sahih) by Sunni hadith scholarship
- Translation
- Muhammad Muhsin Khan (English translation as published on sunnah.com)
- Checked
- sunnah.com English dataset (offline copy in the `hadith` npm package v1.3.0): wording, number, in-book reference and grade, on 2026-10-09
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
Charity does not decrease wealth, no one forgives another except that Allah increases his honor, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that Allah raises his status.
Why it matters here
Charity does not decrease wealth.
Source, grading and translation details
- Collection
- Sahih Muslim, no. 2588 (Book 45, Hadith 90)
- Numbering
- Muhammad Fu'ad 'Abd al-Baqi numbering, as used on sunnah.com
- Grade
- Sahih: Included in Sahih Muslim, a collection accepted as authentic (sahih) by Sunni hadith scholarship
- Translation
- Abdul Hamid Siddiqui (English translation as published on sunnah.com)
- Checked
- sunnah.com English dataset (offline copy in the `hadith` npm package v1.3.0): wording, number, in-book reference and grade, on 2026-10-09
Context and key terms
Arabic terms in this lesson (4)
Sadaqah
صدقة
Charity
Voluntary giving. Hadith extend it beyond money to include a kind word, a smile, helping someone and removing harm from a path. The word shares its root with sidq (truthfulness).
Zakah
زكاة
Purifying alms
The obligatory annual giving of a portion of qualifying wealth to specified groups in need. It is one of the five pillars of Islam. Its detailed rules are a matter for qualified scholars.
Ihsan
إحسان
Excellence; doing good beautifully
Going beyond the minimum: doing things well, with care and kindness, as though conscious that God sees you.
Ikhlas
إخلاص
Sincerity; purity of purpose
Doing something for God alone, free from showing off. It is also the name of Surah 112, which describes God's oneness.
Sadaqah and truthfulness
The word sadaqah shares its root (ṣ-d-q) with sidq, truthfulness. Many scholars reflect that charity is an outward sign of the truthfulness of a person's faith.
Giving responsibly
When giving money, it is wise to choose registered, transparent organisations and to check how donations are used. This website does not collect donations and does not endorse any particular charity.
Everyday example
Illustrative story (fictional)
Grace's charity without a wallet
Grace is a student with very little spare money. She decides to try the 'every joint' hadith literally for a week: one act of non-financial charity for each day.
She guides a confused visitor through the train station, picks up broken glass from the pavement outside her building, tutors a classmate who is struggling, and spends an evening listening to a friend going through a hard time. By Sunday she realises she has given more than she thought she had.
Charity is a way of seeing the world: noticing needs and meeting them with whatever you have.
Activity
Sorting activity
Is it charity?
Based on the hadith in this lesson, sort each action. Some may surprise you. Check the explanation for each one.
0 of 6 sorted
Knowledge check
Answer each question to see an explanation. You can retry as many times as you like; nothing is graded.
Reflection
Try it in practice
One non-financial charity a day
- 1Each day this week, do one act from the hadith list: a smile, a kind word, help with a load, directions, or removing something harmful.
- 2Do it quietly, without mentioning it to others.
- 3At the end of the week, reflect on how it changed what you notice.
This is also available as an optional daily practice: Help someone.
Sources and further reading
Primary sources cited
- Qur'an 2:261–263 (Surah Al-Baqarah). Arabic: King Fahd Complex Uthmani text; translation: Saheeh International.
- Qur'an 2:177 (Surah Al-Baqarah). Arabic: King Fahd Complex Uthmani text; translation: Saheeh International.
- Qur'an 76:8–9 (Surah Al-Insan). Arabic: King Fahd Complex Uthmani text; translation: Saheeh International.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 2989, graded Sahih (Sahih collection). Sunnah.com (opens in a new tab)
- Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1956, graded Hasan (Darussalam). Sunnah.com (opens in a new tab)
- Sahih al-Bukhari 6022, graded Sahih (Sahih collection). Sunnah.com (opens in a new tab)
- Sahih Muslim 2588, graded Sahih (Sahih collection). Sunnah.com (opens in a new tab)
Further reading
- Sahih al-Bukhari 2989 (opens in a new tab) · Sunnah.com
Charity for every joint.
- Qur'an 2:261–264 in context (opens in a new tab) · Quran.com
The Qur'an's passage on the manner of giving.
This lesson is educational and is not a fatwa (religious ruling). For personal religious questions, please consult a qualified scholar you trust. How we source and review lessons.
Report an error or ask for clarification (opens GitHub in a new tab)Finished this lesson?
Mark it as complete to track your progress on this device.