The month of November has become synonymous with gratitude and giving. Despite the holiday’s complicated history, Thanksgiving Day, typically observed on the fourth Thursday of the month, has become a time for families to gather and express thanks for their blessings. The Tuesday that follows is now widely recognized as “Giving Tuesday,” a day when charitable organizations encourage generous donations as a counterbalance to the consumerism of Black Friday. For Muslims, gratitude and giving are inseparable. One of the genuine ways to express thanks is to share what Allah has entrusted to us. In describing the believers, Allah says they are those “who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and donate from what We have provided for them” (Quran 2:3).
When I think of charity, I immediately remember my sweet, maternal grandmother who taught us, “Haz el bien y no mires a quien,” or do good without focusing on who receives it. She lived by that wisdom. My Puerto Rican grandmother always had a warm thermos of coffee ready, along with cake or a plate of food, for anyone who happened to pass by her front door. Learning about charity should begin early, just as it did for me, and our children benefit most when they witness us embodying this part of our faith. When families engage in charitable deeds together, generosity becomes a natural and joyful practice and a fond memory.
With that in mind, I selected seven powerful ahadith that families can reflect on together. These narrations highlight different forms of charity, expand our understanding of generosity, and offer simple practices we can implement at home to show gratitude to Allah for His unending generosity.
Here are the “Sadaqah Seven”:
1. Charity is a shade on the Day of Judgment
An important lesson about charity is that it benefits the giver even more than the receiver. Just as charity purifies wealth and softens the heart, it will serve as protection on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Everyone will be in the shade of their charity until judgment is carried out between the people” (Sahih Ibn Hibban 3310). This hadith helps children understand that every act of generosity creates spiritual shade that we will desperately need in the Hereafter.
2. The best charity begins with family
Many imagine charity as something directed toward neighbors or strangers, yet the Prophet prioritized supporting one’s own household. Abu Huraira reported that he asked, “O Messenger of Allah, which charity is best?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, replied, “One with little property to give. Begin with your dependents” (Sunan Abi Dawud 1677). This reminds families that caring for one another financially, emotionally, and through acts of service, is among the most beloved forms of charity. It may also motivate children to be generous with their siblings and other family members.
3. Charity becomes a barrier from the Hellfire
Generosity not only provides shade but also serves as a shield against punishment. Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “O Aisha, set up a barrier from the Hellfire, even with half of a date in charity, for it settles the hungry in place of the full” (Musnad Ahmad 24501). This narration helps children see that even the smallest act of kindness counts with Allah.
4. Charity is the only enduring wealth
Wealth and possessions are temporary, but what we spend in the path of Allah remains with us forever. Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The servant says: My wealth, my wealth! Yet he only gets three things from his wealth: he eats and it perishes, he wears clothes and they wear out, or he gives in charity and it is stored for him. Whatever is beyond this will depart and be left for other people” (Sahih Muslim 2959). This is a powerful reminder for families that true wealth is what we give away, not what we keep.
5. Charity is multiplied beyond measure
Charity is one of the few deeds whose reward Allah describes with imagery of growth and abundance. Aisha reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, Allah will raise up a date or a morsel in charity, just as one of you raises his mare or his young, until it becomes like the mountain of Uhud” (Sahih Ibn Hibban 3317). Parents can teach children that even a tiny act of generosity can become a mountain of reward. A fun and simple way to implement this lesson at home is to have children collect spare change in a jar for a year without counting it. Once the year is over, convert it to dollars so they can see how much they collected and give it to them so they can donate the amount to the masjid.
6. Charity is for everyone, regardless of religion
Some Muslims mistakenly believe that charity should only be directed toward other Muslims. However, the Prophet instructed believers to give to anyone in need. I saw this firsthand when Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated Puerto Rico. Although the island hosts a small Muslim population, Muslims in the US were hesitant to give because Puerto Rico is “not a Muslim land.” Yet charity is meant to uplift humanity. Again, I remembered my grandmother’s words: haz el bien y no mires a quien – we should strive to do good without discriminating.
Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, initially ordered charity only for Muslims, until Allah revealed the verse: “It is not upon you to guide them, for Allah guides whom He wills. Whatever you spend of good is for your own selves… Whatever you spend of good, you will be fully repaid and will not be wronged” (Quran, 2:272). After this revelation, the Prophet ordered that charity be given to anyone who asked, from every religion (Tafsir Ibn Abi Hatim 2853).
7. Charity holds the reward of striving in the path of Allah
Giving from what we love, including our wealth, time, energy, and comfort, requires effort and sacrifice. For that reason, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, compared charitable work to striving in the cause of Allah. He said, “One who works for charity in a just cause is like one who campaigns in the way of Allah until he returns home” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 645). Families can take from this that meaningful acts of service carry immense spiritual weight.
Allah is Ar-Razzaq, the Provider or Bestower of Sustenance, and part of the human spiritual connection is the desire to give in a way that reflects His generosity. When we give from what we love, we imitate a divine attribute and cultivate a heart that is more receptive to the blessings already present in our lives. Charity is mentioned repeatedly in the Quran, and the Sunnah contains countless narrations that underscore its benefits. Across these teachings, a consistent thread emerges that charity purifies wealth, strengthens family ties, uplifts communities, and draws a believer closer to Allah. It is an act of worship that transcends wealth and touches every part of daily life, from speaking kindly to offering emotional support to removing harm from someone’s path. Additionally, the reward of charity is far greater than what the eye can measure. Allah says in the Quran:
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah is that of a grain that sprouts into seven ears, each bearing one hundred grains. Allah multiplies the reward even more for whomever He wills. Allah is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing” (Quran, 2:261).
We have so much to be thankful for, alhamdulillah. Why not share our blessings and teach our children that gratitude is best expressed through giving?
Bio:
Wendy Díaz is a Puerto Rican Muslim writer, award-winning poet, translator, former educator, and mother of six (ages ranging from toddler to teen). She is the co-founder of Hablamos Islam, a non-profit organization that produces educational resources about Islam in Spanish (hablamosislam.org). She has written, illustrated, and published over a dozen children’s books and currently lives with her family in Maryland. Follow Wendy Díaz on social media @authorwendydiaz and @hablamosislam.
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