QUESTION:
As Salaamu Alaikum,
Can you please tell me if voluntary Sadaqah can be given to parents and siblings If they are needy? If we are giving Sadaqah to anyone do we need to inform them that it is sadaqah money?
JazakAllah
ANSWER:
Wa Alaikum As Salaam,
Yes, it is permissible to give optional/voluntary Sadaqah to parents and siblings. In fact, Sadaqah given to family members and relatives, even though they are connected by blood, will bring more rewards to the giver. In a tradition, Jabir bin Abdullah (R.A) narrated that the Prophet (S.A.S) said, ‘The best Sadaqah is that which is given when you are self-sufficient, and start with those for whom you are responsible’. (Sahih Ibn Hibban Hadith No 3334).
In another tradition, Sulaiman bin Amir (R.A) narrated that the Prophet (S.A.S) said, ‘Sadaqah (charity) given to a poor person will bring the reward for only Sadaqah, but when given to a family member/relative, it brings the rewards for two things, one for the charity and the other for upholding the family ties.’
(Sahih Ibn Hibban).
These traditions make it evident that optional/voluntary Sadaqah (charity) can be given to one’s immediate family like parents, children, siblings and others.
(Kitab An Nawazil Vol. 7 Pages 256,257 Darul Isha’at Karachi 2016).
Based on these, the authentic books of Fiqh have stated, ‘There is no difference of opinion among the Fuqaha (expert jurists) regarding the permissibility of giving optional/voluntary Sadaqah to family members and spouses. Some of them have clearly stated that it is Sunnah to give Sadaqah to such family members, and for such needy family members to accept the Sadaqah from them, even though the needy family members are from among those whose maintenance is essential upon the giver of Sadaqah.
(Al Mawsoo’ Al Fiqhiya Vol. 26 page. 331 Maktaba Uloom Islamiya Chaman Baluchistan 2011).
Therefore, as stated before, it is permissible to give optional/voluntary Sadaqah to parents and siblings if they are needy.
With respect to your other query, there is no need to inform the recipients of Sadaqah that it is Sadaqah money.
And Allah Knows best
Mufti Waseem Khan
29/10/2020