Giving charity is always rewarding, but there are some important considerations which we should keep in mind, which will increase our rewards.

1. Sadaqah must be done sincerely for the pleasure of Allah and not out of riya’ (show off) to gain praise or recognition from others:

“O you who believe! Do not render vain your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men and he does not believe in Allah nor in the last Day.” (Qur’an, 2: 264)

Hadhrat Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas RA narrated that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said, “…whatever you spend (for Allah’s sake) you will be rewarded for it, even for a morsel of food which you may put in the mouth of your wife.” [Bukhari]

2. It is better to conceal what we give or do as sadaqah:

“And whatever you spend in charity or whatever vow you make, be sure Allah knows it all. But the wrongdoers have no helpers. If you disclose (acts of) charity, even so it is well, but if you conceal them and make them reach those (really) in need, that is best for you. It will remove from you some of your (stains of) evil. And Allah is well acquainted with what you do.” (Qur’an, 2:270-271)

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “Seven people will be shaded by Allah under His shade on the day when there will be no shade except His. They are: 1. a just ruler, 2. a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah, 3. a man whose heart is attached to the mosque, 4. two men who love each other for Allah’s sake, meeting for that and parting for that. 5. a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position but he says, “I fear Allah”, 6. a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity, and 7. a man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears.” [Bukhari]

3. Sadaqah must be from halal (lawful) source:

Abu Hurairah RA narrated that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said, “If one gives in charity what equals one date-fruit from the honestly earned money and Allah accepts only the honestly earned money Allah takes it in His Right (hand). And then, enlarges its reward for that person (who has given it), as anyone of you brings up his baby horse, so much so that it becomes as big as a mountain.” [Bukhari]

4. Begin charity with your dependents:

Hakim ibn Hizam RA narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “The upper hand is better than the lower hand, (i.e., he who gives charity is better than him who takes it). One should start giving first to his dependents. And the best object of charity is that which is given by a wealthy person (from the money which is left after his expenses.) And whoever abstains from asking others for some financial help, Allah will give him and save him from asking others, Allah will make him self-sufficient.” [Bukhari]

Abu Umamah RA narrated that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said: “O son of Adam, it is better for you if you spend your surplus (wealth), but if you withhold it, it is evil for you. There is (however) no reproach for you (if you withhold means necessary) for a living. And begin (charity) with your dependents; and the upper hand is better than the lower hand.” [Muslim]

5. Not to delay giving of sadaqah nor show lethargy or negligence in giving sadaqah:

And spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before death should come to any of you and he should say, “O my Rabb! Why do you not give me respite for a little while? I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good.” (Qur’an, 63:10)

Haritha ibn Wahb RA narrated that he heard the Prophet ﷺ saying, “O people! Give in charity as a time will come upon you when a person will wander about with his object of charity and will not find anybody to accept it, and anyone (who will be requested to take it) will say, “If you had brought it yesterday, I would have taken it, but today I am not in need of it.” [Bukhari]

Abu Hurairah RA narrated that a man came to the Prophet ﷺ and asked, “O Allah’s Messenger which charity is the most superior in reward?” He replied, “The charity which you practice while you are healthy, niggardly and afraid of poverty and wish to become wealthy. Do not delay it to the time of approaching death and then say, ‘Give so much to such and such, and so much to such and such.’ (And it has already belonged to such and such (his heirs).” [Bukhari]

6. Do not count the sadaqah you give:

“Spend in charity and do not keep count for then Allah will also keep count in giving you provision.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

7. Seek only the desire to see Allah, which is the supreme success in Paradise:

Do not expect favour or reward from any person for the sadaqah you give: “Those who spend their wealth for increase in self-purification, and have in their minds no favour from anyone for which a reward is expected in return, but only the desire to seek for the Countenance of their Creator Most High; and soon will they attain (complete) satisfaction.” (Qur’an, 92:18-21)