صدقة
sadaqah
The English phrase "charity" is translated into Arabic as صدقة (sadaqah).
The word صدقة refers to benevolence to less fortunate.
Meaning: benevolence to less fortunate (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the root s-d-q, which relates to truthfulness and sincerity.
Which one should you use?
While صدقة refers to voluntary charity, the term زكاة (zakat) refers specifically to the obligatory almsgiving required of Muslims.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of صدقة is صدقات, meaning charities or acts of charity.
How do you pronounce it?
sadaqah
When do people say it?
The term صدقة is often associated with the 107th sura of the Qur'an, known as سورة الماعون.
Did you know?
- The act of smiling at another person is traditionally considered a form of صدقة in Islamic tradition.
- A common tradition involves صدقة جارية (ongoing charity), such as building a water well or planting a tree, which earns rewards long after the giver has passed away.
- The word صدقة shares the same ancient Semitic DNA as the Hebrew word צְדָקָה, which also links righteousness to charity.
Examples in context
- يجب علينا جميعًا أداء الزكاة كواجبٍ تجاه المحتاجين.We all must fulfill Zakat as an obligation towards those in need.
- سأتصدق هذا الشهر لجمعية خيرية تساعد الأيتام.I will donate to a charity this month that helps orphans.
- آمل أن يكون لعملي الخيري تأثيرٌ إيجابيٌ على المجتمع.I hope my charitable work has a positive impact on the community.
- قدمتُ صدقة للمحتاجين.qaddamtu sadaqatan lil-muhtajin.I gave charity to those in need.
Example conversation
Nour and Ziad are talking about helping people.
- نور Nourأريد تقديم صدقة للجمعية.Ureedu taqdeem sadaqah lil-jam'iyyah.I want to give charity to the association.
- زياد Ziadهذا عمل طيب يا نور.Hadha 'amal tayyib ya Nour.That is a good deed, Nour.
- نور Nourهل ستشاركني في ذلك يا زياد؟Hal sutararikuni fi dhalika ya Ziad?Will you join me in that, Ziad?
- زياد Ziadنعم، سأدفع صدقة معك اليوم.Na'am, sa-adfa' sadaqah ma'aki al-yawm.Yes, I will give charity with you today.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries صدقة, CC BY-SA 4.0.
