Giving sadaqah (charity) is a great deed in Islam that brings many benefits and rewards.
Unfortunately, many people who don’t have a lot of money think that giving charity is for the rich people only. As a result, they avoid giving charity altogether; thinking that giving small amounts don’t count or are too insignificant to give.
In this article, we will establish from the Qur’an and Sunnah that the doors of giving charity are open to everyone and that any charity, no matter how small, can bring rewards as huge as mountains.
1. “Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it…”
Allah ﷻ states in the Qur’an:
So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it.
And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.
(Qur’an 99:7-8)
There are some interesting stories related regarding these verses and how the early generation of Muslims understood them.
Imam Malik related that a beggar asked for food from A’isha while she had some grapes. She told some one to give him one grape. He began to look in amazement. ‘Aisha said, ‘Are you amazed? How many atoms’ weights do you see in this grape?'” (Narrated in Muwatta (58/6))
In another report, ‘Abd al-Rahman Ibn Awf was holding a bunch of grapes and a man came and asked for some. ‘Abd al-Rahman gave him one grape from the bunch, but the man withdrew his hand, as if to refuse it. So he said to him: “This one grape contains the weight of many atoms.” (Narrated by Ibn Abi Shaybah (3/113))
Similar stories have been narrated from Umar Ibn Khattab and Saad Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with them all.
The point of these stories is that the companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not miss any opportunity to give charity.
If they had a lot, they would give a lot in charity, just as Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq gave away all his wealth, Umar Ibn Khattab donated half of his possessions, ‘Uthman Ibn Affaan equipped a whole army for the sake of Allah ﷻ and Abd al-Rahman Ibn ‘Awf gave away an entire caravan in charity.
If they only had a little, such as a date, a grape, a garment or a handful of food, they would still give that in charity. Why? Because they understood that giving charity, no matter how small, will be multiplied and written in their record of good deeds.
2. – “Save yourself from the fire, even with half a date…”
`Adi ibn Hatim reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Save yourself from Hell-fire even by giving half a date-fruit in charity.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari (6540))
In another report: “He who among you can protect himself against Fire, he should do so, even if it should be with half a date.” (Narrated by Muslim (1016))
‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported that Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Let one of you protect his face from the fire, even with the smallest piece of date.” (Narrated by Ahmad (4265) and Abu Na’eem (8/214). Classed as Sahih li ghayrihi by Shuaib Al-Arnaout).
‘Aisha reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to her, “O Aisha, set up a barrier from the Hellfire, even with half of a date in charity.” (Narrated by Ahmad (24501), Al-Bazzar (232) and Ibn Shaheen (379). Classed as Hasan by Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Bari (3/334)).
`Adi ibn Hatim reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “There will be none among you but his Lord will talk to him, and there will be no interpreter between him and Allah. He will look to his right and see nothing but his deeds which he has sent forward, and will look to his left and see nothing but his deeds which he has sent forward, and will look in front of him and see nothing but the (Hell) Fire facing him. So save yourself from the (Hell) Fire even with half a date (given in charity).” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari (7512), Muslim (1016), Al-Tirmidhi (2415), Ibn Majah (185) and Ahmad (18246))
All of these hadiths are evidence that even giving small amounts of charity, such as half a date, is a means of protection from Hell and admittance to Paradise. In the eyes of Allah ﷻ, these small charitable acts are great if its giver gives it with sincerity.
This happened to a woman during the time of the Prophet (ﷺ) who was saved from Hell and admitted to Paradise due to one date, as ‘Aisha, narrated: “A woman came to me who had two of her daughters with her. She asked me for something, but I could not find anything except for a single date which I gave her. She divided it between her daughters and then got up and left. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came in and I told him what had happened. He said, ‘Whoever looks after these girls in any way and is good to them will have them as a veil from the Fire.'” In another report: “Verily Allah has assured Paradise for her, because of (this act) of her, or He has rescued her from Hellfire.” (Narrated by Muslim (2629), Al-Bukhari his “Sahih” (5995) and “Al-Adab Al-Mufrad” (132)).
3. “Never belittle any gift you give, even if it is a hoof of a sheep.”
Ibn Bujayd reported from his grandmother that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Give to the poor, even if it’s a burnt hoof.” (Narrated by Imam Malik (1933), Al-Nasa’i (2565) and Ahmad (16648). Classed as Sahih by Shuaib Al-Arnaout in Sahih Ibn Hibban (3374)).
Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “O Muslim women, never belittle any gift you give your neighbour even if it is a hoof of a sheep.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari (2566) and Muslim (1030))
Ibn Battaal said: The Prophet (ﷺ) referred to sheep’s feet in order to encourage us to accept gifts no matter how small in value. (‘Umdat al-Qari (13/128)).
4. “Do not belittle any good deed…”
Salim ibn Jabir al-Hujaymi said, “I came up to the Prophet (ﷺ) when he was wrapped up in a cloak whose edges were cover his feet. I said, ‘Messenger of Allah, advise me.’ He said, ‘You must have fearful awareness of Allah. Do not look down on anything good, even pouring water from your bucket into the bucket of someone else who asks you for water or talking to your brother with a happy face.'” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari in “Al-Adab Al-Mufrad” (1182)).
In another report: “Do not consider any act of kindness insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful face.” (Narrated by Muslim (2626))
5. “When you prepare the broth, add extra water to it…”
Abu Dharr reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said to him “O Abu Dharr, when you prepare the broth, add water to that and give that (as a present) to your neighbour.” (Narrated by Muslim (2625), Ahmad (5/149), Ibn Hibban (513) and Al-Bukhari in “Al-Adab Al-Mufrad” (113)).
Adding extra water to a soup or broth doesn’t cost anything, unlike adding more meat or vegetables. This hadith proves that even simple acts such as adding extra water to a soup and giving it in charity is a rewarding deed in the sight of Allah.
6. Allah will make your small charity as big as a mountain
Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “If anyone gives as sadaqa the equivalent of a date from something lawfully earned, for Allah ﷻ accepts only what is lawful, Allah ﷻ will accept it with His right hand, then bring it up for its owner as anyone of you brings up a baby horse, till it becomes like a mountain.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari (1410) and Muslim (1014))
‘Aisha reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Verily, Allah ﷻ will raise up a date or a morsel in charity, just as one of you raises his mare or his young, until it becomes like the mountain of Uhud.” (Narrated by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih (3317), Al-Tabarani (4240), Al-Bazzar (931) and Ahmad (26135). Classed as Sahih by Al-Haythami in Majma’ Al-Zawa’id (3/111)).
Allah The Most High also refers to this multiplying of deeds in the Qur’an:
“Indeed, Allah never wrongs ˹anyone˺—even by an atom’s weight. And if it is a good deed, He will multiply it many times over and will give a great reward out of His grace.” (Qur’an, 4:40)
7. Spending in the way of Allah is multiplied 700 times
Khuraym ibn Fatik reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Whoever donates charity in the way of Allah ﷻ, it will be multiplied up to seven hundred times in his record.” (Narrated by Ahmad (4/345), Ibn Abi Shaybah (5/318), Al-Tirmidhi (4/167), Ibn Hibban (8/17) and Al-Hakim in Al-Mustadrak (2/87). Classed as Sahih by Al-Albani in Sahih al-Targheeb wa al-Tarheeb (1236)).
8. A poor person’s charity is better and more rewarding
Among the justice of Allah ﷻ toward His servants is that He treats them in charity according to what He has given them. A poor person may give a little money in charity that will surpass a lot of money given by a wealthy person. The evidence for this is the hadith of Abu Hurairah in which the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “A Dirham surpassed a hundred thousand Dirhams.” They said: “How?” He said: “A man had two Dirhams and gave one in charity, and another man went part of his wealth and took out a hundred thousand Dirhams and gave them in charity.” (Narrated by Al-Nasa’i (2527), Ibn Hibban (3347), Al-Hakim (1519), Al-Bayhaqi (7568), Ahmad (8929) and Ibn Khuzaymah (4/166). Authenticated by Ibn Khuzaymah, Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim).
Practical ways to give charity, even small amounts
1. Give small change or food to the poor: Next time you see a poor person, don’t be ashamed to give small amounts in charity. Give to the best of your ability and know that it’s your niyyah (intention) and ikhlaas (sincerity) that matters, not the amount.
2. Give charity each time you go to the Masjid: When going to the masjid, take your wallet with you or put some small coins in your pocket and put it in the donation box. If you’re not in a strong financial position, just give as little as 1p. It will be between you and Allah, and that 1p could become as big as a mountain on the day of judgement.
3. Put your small change into a money box: Buy a cheap money box (also known as a penny bank or piggy bank) and every day put in some low-value coins in it until it’s full. When it’s full, open the top of it, put it in a bag and give it away in charity. You’d be surprised how much you have put away for charity at the end when you open it!
4. Set up an automatic bank payment (known as a direct debit): Send a fixed amount each month to your chosen charity. If you can’t afford to give a lot, put the amount as little as £1 per month (that’s 3p per day). In this way, each month you’re giving a charity and gaining rewards and blessings. The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked, “What deeds are loved most by Allah?” He said, “The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few.” (Sahih al-Bukhari (6465)).
5. Donate your unwanted clothes: Don’t throw away your unwanted clothes but donate them to charity by giving them directly to the poor or using clothing banks, usually located near masjids or other community buildings. Everything you donate is re-sold, reused or recycled.
6. Feed the animals: Giving food and drink to animals is also a highly rewarding action in Islam, as can learned from the story of the man who gave a thirsty dog water and Allah forgave him for his sins and admitted him into paradise. Take the opportunity to give food a drink to animals, especially during the hot and cold months of the summer and winter. You can set up a bird feeder and bird bath in your garden where birds and other small animals will come to eat and drink. Remember, as the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, never look down on any act of goodness!
These are some ideas and the list is not exhaustive. Think of some other ways in which you can give charity, even small amounts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the teachings from the Qur’an and Sunnah underscore the great value of giving charity, regardless of amount. Even the smallest acts of kindness hold immense weight in the eyes of Allah ﷻ. The hadiths highlight that a modest charity, whether half a date or a small coin, can serve as a shield against Hell and be a means of entry into Paradise. The recognition that a poor person’s charity can surpass that of a wealthy individual reinforces the principle that Allah ﷻ judges based on the heart and intention, not just amounts. These teachings guide us to appreciate the significance of every charitable act, inspiring us to give in charity at all times to win pleasure of Allah ﷻ.
