Sadaqah

... is the contribution that one makes, without expecting any repayments or returns... loosely termed as "donations" in English, sadaqah covers a wider scope in its practice. It can be a smile that you gave to make someone's day, some kind words that perk someone's spirits, a positive attitude that inspires others, encouragement for someone to keep going, the teaching of knowledge, clearing someone's path, doing a good deed, helping someone in need, ...and it may include monetary contributions/ donations for a good cause.

My hypothesis is: we give because of the good that returns to us. Equally, this may not be in financial terms: it could be better health, more rizq (earnings/ income/ capability to render more help to others), the good feelings (that you are making a difference to someone somewhere), paying it forward, our paths being cleared and made smooth (literally and figuratively), and the multiple rewards that may be possible in the Hereafter.

Forgive me if this post is sounding like a sermon, however it is a simple concept: of giving and receiving.

Giving out of the goodness of our hearts and expecting nothing in return, may ironically bring you good returns (even in situations when one does not expect it). There are many wonderful souls out there who have given out 'sadaqah' in their own ways, and our press is always impressed & normally cover the financial contributions, such as:

Mackenzie Bezos' $1.6billion donation: https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/mackenzie-bezos-donates-1-6-billion-to-charity

Chuck Feeney the billionaire who gave away $9billion: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-54300268

Locally we have Ustaz Ebit Lew who opened ELEWSMART chains that offered rock bottom prices to provide groceries for the needy: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/2020/06/24/10-cawangan-pasar-raya-ebit-lew-bakal-buka-peluang-pekerjaan-bantu-golongan-memerlukan/

To conclude, keep on giving and may you receive goodness in any way shape or form while you keep at it 💕

[Backstory: I initially wanted to skew this entry to one of a skeptic (i.e. people give for selfish reasons), but the materials brought me to a different direction]