I know there is a Hadith mentioning giving charity [sadaqah] will prevent calamities.
Are there any Hadiths mentioning giving sadaqah upon hearing good news or when you experience a good event in your life?
For example if someone’s son reads ‘Alhamdulillah’ for the first time ever and if the parent, due to joy, wants to give sadaqah for that blessing.
Answer
One is indeed encouraged to do so in such times.
One form of expressing one’s gratitude, is to do a good deed, like to observe a fast or give charity etc.
There are several examples of the Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhum) expressing their gratitude to Allah Ta’ala for his favour by donating a portion of their wealth. Hereunder are some examples:
1. Sayyiduna Ka’b ibn Malik (radiyallahu’anhu), upon receiving the good news of Allah Ta’ala accepting his repentance, gave his clothes to the person who passed on this message to him.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 4418)
2. Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu’anhu) had slaughtered a camel when he completed memorising Surah Baqarah.
(Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 1805)
This was obviously something which he consired as a huge achievement and a happy occasion.
3. When Nabi Musa (‘alayhis salam) and his followers were saved by Allah Ta’ala from Fir’awn, Musa (‘alayhis salam) observed a fast as his form of gratitude to Allah Ta’ala.
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2653)
Although this is not an example of sadaqah, but it does prove that one should do an act of obedience as shukr (gratitude) for things going in his/her favour.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar