What is the difference between zakat, infaq and sadaqah? These three things are highly recommended by Islam for its followers to do. But apparently, zakat infaq and sadaqah are still confusing for most Muslims. Are they obligatory? What is the legal basis? How is it done? And most importantly, what is the difference between zakat infaq and sadaqah that the names are also different? To better understand, let’s see the following explanation!
What are Zakat, Infaq and Sadaqah?
Before knowing what are the differences between zakat infaq and sadaqah, we need to know the definition of each term first. So that we can better understand the details of the differences between zakat infaq and sadaqah. It is possible that, just by understanding the definition, we can immediately know what the difference between zakat infaq and sadaqah is.
Definition of Zakat
A Muslim is obliged to pay his zakat. We often hear this sentence. It is not a foreign or surprising thing for Muslims. This is because zakat is included in the pillars of Islam, ranking number 3 after the creed and prayer.
So what is the definition of zakat? According to Islamic Fiqh, zakat is money that must be taken out of the wealth of the rich to be given to those who are entitled to receive it, and its implementation is bound by the rules determined by Sharia. In Islam in general, zakat means a portion of wealth that must be given to certain people under certain conditions.
Paying zakat means purifying the wealth that we have. By paying zakat, the rich distribute some of their wealth to the poor or the needy as their right. By giving zakat, a person has purified his heart and self, as well as doing the right action and obtaining His mercy. Allah swt also promises that whoever gives zakat, his wealth will increase.
Read also: Spreading Zakat Fitrah Creates Radiant Smiles
Legal Basis of Zakat
Zakat for Muslims is obligatory. The legal basis for the obligation of zakat in Islam is contained in the Qur’an, the Sunnah of the Prophet, and the consensus of scholars.
The following is the evidence in the Qur’an that makes zakat obligatory:
“And establish the prayer and pay the zakat. And whatever good you do for yourselves, surely you will have its reward with Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.”
(QS. Al-Baqarah: 110)
“Take zakat from some of their wealth (aghniya), with which you cleanse and purify them and pray for them. Indeed, your prayers will give them peace of mind. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”
(QS. At-Taubah: 103)
“And worship, pay the zakat, and obey the Messenger, that you may be granted mercy.”
(QS. An-Nur verse 56)
The following is the evidence from the Prophet’s Muhammad SAW hadith that zakat is obligatory for Muslims:
“’Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: While we were sitting by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) one day, a man came wearing very white clothes and with very black hair. He had not traveled far and none of us knew him. He sat down in front of the Prophet and pressed his knees to his knees and said: ‘O Muhammad, tell me about Islam’, so the Prophet said: ‘Islam is that you testify that there is no god but Allah and that the Prophet Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, that you establish prayer, pay Zakat, fast Ramadan and go on Hajj if you can’.” (HR Muslim from Umar bin Al-Khattab)
“Abu Abdurrahman, Abdullah ibn Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say: ‘Islam is built on five things: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that the Prophet Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, establishing prayer, paying zakat, performing Hajj, and fasting Ramadan’.” (Reported by Tirmidhi and Muslim)
Read also: Grow Kindness, Share Together, Make Orphans and Dhuafa Happy
Definition of Infak
In Arabic, the word infak (al-infaq) is similar in root and meaning to the words nafkah (al-nafaqah) and al-mashruf. These words mean cost, spending, and especially spending money, or money that is spent.
In everyday terms, the word nafkah is commonly used for the financing of family life, which is usually issued by the husband or father. Meanwhile, the word infak is commonly used to refer to the expenditure of the remnants of spending money which is not much (small). It is also used to refer to payment for goods or services that are relatively small, such as paying for public toilets or massage services.
Infaq means money that is spent, whether it is large or small. Giving can only be done with material possessions. Everyone can give an infaq. Whether they have a high or low income. Infaq also does not have to be given to certain groups (mustahik) as stipulated in zakat. Infaq can be given to anyone, such as parents, relatives, orphans, the poor, or people who are traveling.
Thus, it can be concluded that infaq is a social charity that is done voluntarily by someone and given freedom to them to determine the type of property and the amount of property they want to spend. Thus, the nature of infaq is more general than zakat.
Legal Basis of Infaq
Based on the law, infaq is categorized into three parts, namely obligatory infaq, sunnah infaq, and permissible infaq.
- Wajib infaqs are zakat, expiation, vows, infaqs for the family, and so on.
- Sunnah infaq is infaq that is highly recommended to be done, but not an obligation. For example, donations to the poor, fellow Muslims, donations for natural disasters, donations for humanity, and so on.
- Mubah Infaq are donations that do not fall into the category of obligatory and sunnah, and there is no textual recommendation in the verse or hadith. For example, infaq for social relations, inviting colleagues to eat and so on.
The suggestion and goodness of giving is also contained in the Prophet’s hadith. He said in a hadith about angels who always pray every morning and evening for those who give and vice versa.
“Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘No servant enters the morning hours of any day unless two angels descend. One of them says: ‘O Allah, give the one who gives in charity a reward.’ And the other says: ‘O Allah grant the one who withholds charity, destruction‘.” (HR. Bukhari and Muslim)
The word infaq in the Qur’anic and hadith narratives has a fairly broad meaning. It covers all types of spending of wealth.
“And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor miserly, and their spending is in the middle.” (QS. Al-Furqan: 67)
Infaq can be used for anything, but what is recommended is to spend in the way of Allah, as stated in the following verse:
“And spend (your wealth) in the way of Allah, and do not bring yourselves to destruction, and do good, for surely Allah loves those who do good.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 195)
Read also: What is Infaq? As it turns out, the answer is here
Definition of Shadaqa
Shadaqa comes from the word shadaqa which means “righteous”. So, a person who gives alms is a person who is true to his faith. The definition of almsgiving is the same as the definition of infaq. The difference is that infaq is only related to material things. While almsgiving has a broader meaning, it also involves non-material things.
Almsgiving is a voluntary gift made by a person to others, especially to the poor. Sadaqah can be given on any occasion and is not specified in terms of type, amount or time – unlike zakat.
In general, alms are assets or non-assets that are issued by a person or business entity outside of zakat for the benefit of the community. This means that charity can be done with whatever you have, including a smiling face and a smile. It can all be worth sadaqah as mentioned in the following hadith:
“Abi Dhar reported: The Prophet said to me: ‘Do not underestimate the slightest kindness even if you meet your brother with a smiling face‘.” (HR Muslim)
“Abi Dhar reported: The Prophet said: ‘Your smile on your brother’s face is worth sadaqah for you‘.” (HR Ibn Hibban)
Legal Basis of Shadaqah
The fuqaha agree that the ruling on charity is sunnah or recommended. It is rewarded if done and not sinful if left out. However, the law of charity can become haram if the person giving charity knows that his charity will be used for sin.
There are also times when the law of charity becomes wajib if a person meets another person who is starving to the point of threatening his life, while he has excess food. It can also become wajib if a person vows to give charity to a person or institution.
Sadaqah is recommended by Islam. Those who do it are even classified as people who fear Allah, so Allah loves them.
“And hasten to the forgiveness of your Lord and to a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, which is prepared for the pious, (i.e.) those who spend (their wealth) both in plenty and in want, and those who restrain their anger and forgive people their trespasses. Allah loves those who do good.” (QS. Ali ‘Imran: 133-134)
The Prophet Muhammad SAW also said that every good deed that a person does in his daily life has the value of charity in the eyes of Allah SWT.
“Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that the Prophet said: ‘Every human joint is obliged to give charity every day. Whenever a person completes his prayer, that is his charity. Every time a man fasts, that is his charity, and every time a man has intercourse with his wife, that is his charity.” (HR. Bukhari Muslim).
Read also: aThe Secrets of Charity According to Imam Al Ghazali
Difference between Zakat Infaq and Sadaqah
From the explanation above, we can find similarities and differences between zakat infaq and sadaqah. Among other things, zakat infaq and sadaqah both spend some of their wealth and spend it in the way of Allah. All three are intended to do good, help people in difficulty, and support so that the quality of life of the poor can improve. All of this is done so that the entire Muslim community lives a peaceful life. Zakat, infaq, and sadaqah all have the same reward and heavenly reward from Allah SWT.
While the differences between zakat, infaq and sadaqah include a number of things, among others:
- Firstly, the amount of zakat is determined, while infaq and sadaqah are not.
- Secondly, zakat has a nisab, while infaq and sadaqah have no nisab
- Third, zakat must be given to mustahik who are included in the 8 asnaf, while infaq and sadaqah can be given to anyone.
- Fourth, zakat is usually given by the rich or wealthy, while infaq and sadaqah can be given by anyone, whether they have a high or low income.
- Fifth, sadaqah is the same as infaq, including the laws and regulations, but infaq is related to material things, while sadaqah is broader, it can be done with non-material things such as a smile.
- Sixth, zakat is obligatory while infaq and sadaqah are Sunnah.
Let’s purify ourselves by paying zakat, infaq, and sadaqah. Dompet Dhuafa as an Islamic philanthropic organization that has been established for more than 30 years has fulfilled the mandate of tens of thousands of donors. Tens of thousands of mustahiks have also received the benefits of zakat, infaq, and alms from donors. It is time for you to be part of the good people who contribute to the welfare of Muslims in the country and the world.