The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed (of grain) which grows seven spikes: in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies (His reward) for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
The benefits of sadaqah are outlined clearly and precisely in the Al-Quran. However, it is time to question the sustainability of the act itself.
Some individuals will set aside some funds from their salary every month to do charity with the intention of wealth cleansing. Some people will do targeted charity like they will give sadaqah to a selected low-income household by giving necessities and food supply every month. However, this targeted charity has turned the receivers to be dependent on the charity given by people. The charity done by people has become an expectation to these needy people. They didn’t work and earn money waiting for the monthly sadaqah from people. There was also a case where this one family went on Facebook saying they are unsatisfied with the sadaqah given to them.
This writing is not a statement of saying sadaqah is not a good practice. On one side, sadaqah benefits the people who give but on the receiving side, it is not empowering. Sadaqah has made people become lazy and not wanting to strive to live better.
On a higher level, there are many institutions and NGOs established to help people from countries that are in the middle of crisis and refugees. These institutions are the intermediaries of the public to channel their resources to these needy people. Temporarily, these resources can do the trick yet in the long term we couldn’t see the crisis or war is ending in their country by sending those resources. Meanwhile, why aren’t the authorities doing something that could totally set them free from the crisis? Is that all they could do? Sustainable development goals could not be achieved if it is only practiced on the individual level, the policy and the authorities should also be revised so that improvement can start from the top. The crisis that happens in countries definitely is not caused by civilians, it is all the doings of the higher levels. People suffered due to poor governance and political crisis.
Going back to the topic of sadaqah. Sadaqah is not just providing financial help to the needy. It can also in terms of providing cheap education to people. This is what I and my mother are doing. We open fardhu ain classes for people to come and learn and doesn’t put any price as the students can pay the amount they could afford. In that way, people who cannot afford to buy textbooks and uniforms can come to our house to learn fardhu ain. Attending schools can be a huge burden to parents, some of them don't send their children to school due to the high cost of buying school necessities. Getting an education should not be a burden.
All in all, sadaqah is undoubtedly good for everyone. However, it should not be an excuse for people to stay in the same living state and only expect people to help them. They have to do something to help themselves. This is also advised to the authorities to do their job properly to govern the country. A responsible leader should not let the people live in hardships.
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