Gains of Sadaqah in this World and in the Hereafter

There are ten gains of charity; five in this world and five in the Hereafter. The five gains of charity in this worldly life are:

First: It purifies wealth as stated by the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “O assembly of merchants, unprofitable speech and swearing takes place in business dealings, so mix it with Sadaqah (charity).” A saheeh hadeeth recorded by Ahmad, Aboo Daawood and an-Nasaa’ee.[1]

Second: It cleanses the heart and body from sins as stated by Allaah the Mighty and Majestic: “Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it…”[2]  Ka’b bin ‘Ajrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said to me: “Charity extinguishes sins as water extinguishes fire.” At-Tirmidhee recorded this hadeeth and it was classed as saheeh by al-Albaanee.

Third: Charity repels calamity and sicknesses as the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Treat your sick ones with charity.”[3]. The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) also said: “Charity extinguishes the wrath of Allaah and saves from an evil death.”[4]

Fourth: It makes the needy happy, and one of the best of deeds is to make a Muslim happy. The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “The most beloved people to Allaah are those who are most beneficial to the people. The most beloved deed to Allaah is to make a Muslim happy, or to remove one of his troubles, or to forgive his debt, or to drive away hunger from him. That I walk with a brother regarding a need is more beloved to me than I seclude myself in this mosque for a month.”[5]

Fifth: It is a means of receiving blessing in one's wealth and it would make the wealth to grow literally and metaphorically. Allaah the Most High said: “And whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allaah's Cause), He will replace it.”[6]  “The Prophet said: “Wealth never decreases because of charity.”[7]

As regards the five gains in the Hereafter, they are:

First: Charity will serve as a shade for its companion against the severity of heat on the Day of Resurrection. The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Every man will be in the shade of his charity on the Day of Resurrection.”[8]

Second: It is a means of a receiving a light reckoning.

Third: It would make the scale of deeds heavy.

Fourth: It is a means that would facilitate crossing of the Siraat Bridge.

Fifth: It is a means of attaining exalted degree in Paradise.[9]

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[1] al-Albaanee classified it saheeh in Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood, no. 3326

[2] Soorah at-Tawbah: 103

[3] This hadeeth was graded hasan (sound) by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Jaami (3358)

[4] Recorded by Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh, Sunan al-Bayhaqee al-Kubra, at-Tabaraanee in Al-Mu’jam al-Kabeer and al-Mu’jam al-Awsat. Shaykh al-Albaanee classified the first part saheeh in al-Irwaa 885. Ad-Diyaa al-Maqdisi recorded it in al-Ahaadeeth al-Mukhtaarah and said: “Its chain is saheeh

[5] Recorded by at-Tabaraanee in al-Kabeer and classed as hasan by al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Jaami (176)

[6] Soorah Saba’: 39

[7] Recorded by Muslim

[8] Shaykh al-Albaanee classified it saheeh in Saheeh al-Jaami (4510)

[9] Taken from Fiqh Sunnah al-Muyassar, vol. 1, p. 400-401 by Dr, Abdullaah bin Muhammad al-Mutlaq with some additions