Saturday 24 August 2013

What is Sadaqah?

Qur'aanic Verse 9:58:








Transliteration:

58. Waminhum man yalmizuka fee alssadaqati fa-in oAAtoo minha radoo wa-in lam yuAAtaw minha itha hum yaskhatoona


Translation:

58. And among them are those who blame you for misuse of the welfare funds28. If they are given anything from it they are pleased. And if they are not given anything from it, they are indignant.


Study Note:

28. The Arabic word used is sadaqaat. Translators have rendered its meaning to be the same as of zakaat, viz, alms or charities. Zakaat has been defined in Verse 30.39 as something given away seeking only the pleasure of Allah. Zakaat therefore constitutes a voluntary deed. Sadaqah [singular form of Sadaqaat], on the other hand, is a Fund collected through mandatory cuts from individual persons’ incomes. It is collected, in the manner of a tax levied by modern governments, for welfare measures to be undertaken by the State. This is apparent from Verse 9.60 below. ‘Welfare Funds’ would therefore be a better translation for sadaqaat.

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