SADQA CHARITY  RULES

(1) Charity on behalf of deceased

(20) CHAPTER. The witnesses in the foundation of an endowment or in giving in charity;

Bukhari Volume 4, Book 55, Number 2762:

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:

That the mother of Sad bin Ubada the brother of Bani Saida died in Sad's absence, so he came to the Prophet (s) saying, "O Allah's Apostle (s)! My mother died in my absence will it benefit her if I give in charity on her behalf?" The Prophet (s) said, "Yes." Sad said, "I take you as my witness that I give my garden Al-Makhraf in charity on her behalf."  

(19) CHAPTER. It is recommended that something should be given in charity on behalf of a person who dies suddenly, and the execution of the vows of the deceased.

Bukhari Volume 4, Book 55, Number 2760:

Narrated 'Aisha:

A man said to the Prophet (s), "My mother died suddenly, and I think that if she could speak, she would have given in charity. May I give in charity on her behalf?" He said, "Yes! Give in charity on her behalf."

(95) CHAPTER. Sudden unexpected death;

Bukhari Volume 2, Book 23, Number 1388:

Narrated Aisha:

A man said to the Prophet (s), "My mother died suddenly and I thought that if she had lived she would have given alms. So, if I give alms now on her behalf, will she get the reward?" The Prophet (s) replied in the affirmative.

(2) Charity best spend on family

Bukhari Volume 5, Book 64, Number 4006:

Narrated Abu Masud Al-Badri:

The Prophet (s) said, "A man's spending on his family is a deed of charity."

Bukhari Volume 7, Book 69, Number 5351:

Narrated Abu Mas'ud Al-Ansari:

The Prophet (s) said, "When a Muslim spends something on his family intending to receive Allah's reward it is regarded as Sadaqa for him."  

Bukhari Volume 7, Book 74, Number 5611:

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

Abu Talha had the largest number of date palms from amongst the Ansars of Medina. The dearest of his property to him was Bairuha garden which was facing the (Prophet's) Mosque. Allah's Apostle (s) used to enter it and drink of its good fresh water. When the Holy Verse:

'By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you spend (in charity) of that which you love.' (3.92) was revealed,

Abu Talha got up and said, "O Allah's Apostle (s)! Allah says: By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you spend of that, which you love,' and the dearest of my property to me is the Bairuha garden and I want to give it in charity in Allah's Cause, seeking to be rewarded by Allah for that. So you can spend it, O Allah's Apostle (s), where-ever Allah instructs you. ‘Allah’s Apostle (s) said, "Good! That is a perishable (or profitable) wealth" ('Abdullah is in doubt as to which word was used.) He said, "I have heard what you have said but in my opinion you'd better give it to your kith and kin." On that Abu Talha said, "I will do so, O Allah's Apostle (s)!" Abu Talha distributed that garden among his kith and kin and cousins.  

Bukhari Volume 8, Book 83, Number 6087: [6164 Volume 8]

Narrated Abu Huraira:

A man came to the Prophet (s) and said, "I have been ruined for I have had sexual relation with my wife in Ramadan (while I was fasting)" The Prophet (s) said (to him), "Manumit a slave." The man said, "I cannot afford that." The Prophet (s) said, "(Then) fast for two successive months continuously". The man said, "I cannot do that." The Prophet (s) said, "(Then) feed sixty poor persons." The man said, "I have nothing (to feed them with)." Then a big basket full of dates was brought to the Prophet (s). The Prophet (s) said, "Where is the questioner? Go and give this in charity." The man said, "(Shall I give this in charity) to a poorer person than l? By Allah, there is no family in between these two mountains (of Medina) who are poorer than we." The Prophet (s) then smiled till his premolar teeth became visible, and said, "Then (feed) your (family with it)." [See Volume 3, Ahadis Nos. 1936, 1937]

Note: Charity begins at home might a be well known cliché in today’s world but very few may be knowing roots of this sagacious practice was laid down some 1400 years ago by Prophet Muhammad (s), the Mentor of Humanity.   

(3) Give charity in good health wait
Not till death time

(7) CHAPTER. (NOT) Giving in charity at the time of death

Bukhari Volume 4, Book 55, Number 2748:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

A man asked the Prophet (s), "O Allah's Apostle! What kind of charity is the best?" He replied. "To give in charity when you are healthy and greedy hoping to be wealthy and afraid of becoming poor. Don't delay giving in charity till the time when you are on the death bed when you say, 'Give so much to so-and-so and so much to so-and so,' and at that time the property is not yours but it belongs to so-and-so (i.e. your inheritors)."

(4) Delay not giving in charity 

(18) CHAPTER. Thinking of something during As-Salat (the prayer).

'Umar said, "I think of organizing my troops while I am in Salat (prayer)."

Bukhari Volume 2, Book 21, Number 1221:

Narrated 'Uqba bin Al-Harith:

I offered the 'Asr prayer with the Prophet (s) and after finishing the prayer with Taslim he got up quickly and went to some of his wives and then came out. He noticed the signs of astonishment on the faces of the people caused by his speed. He then said, "I remembered while I was in my prayer that a piece of gold was lying in my house and I disliked that it should remain with us throughout the night, and so I have ordered it to be distributed."

(19) CHAPTER. The one who follows up his charitable gifts with reminders of generosity; as is referred to in Allah's Statement:

"Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury..." (2:262) 

(20) CHAPTER. Whoever loves to given something in charity on the very day (on which he receives his earnings).

Bukhari Volume 2, Book 24, Number 1430:

Narrated 'Uqba bin Al-Harith:

Once the Prophet (s) offered the 'Asar prayer and then hurriedly went to his house and returned immediately. I (or somebody else) asked him (as to what was the matter) and he said, "I left at home a piece of gold which was from the charity and I disliked letting it remain a night in my house, so I got it distributed.”  

(5) Give not reluctantly

Bukhari Volume 3, Book 51, Number 2591:

Narrated Asma:

Allah's Apostle (s) said, "Give (in charity) and do not give reluctantly lest Allah should give you in a limited amount; and do not withhold your money lest Allah should withhold it from you."

(6) Charity – Preference kith; maternal uncle

Bukhari Volume 3, Book 47, Number 2592:

Narrated Kurib:

The freed slave of Ibn 'Abbas, that Maimuna bint Al-Harith told him that she manumitted a slave-girl without taking the permission of the Prophet (s). On the day when it was her turn to be with the Prophet (s), she said, "Do you know, O’ Allah's Apostle (s), that I have manumitted my slave-girl?" He said, "Have you really?" She replied in the affirmative. He said, "You would have got more reward if you had given her (i.e., the slave-girl) to one of your maternal uncles."