Sadaqah to ward off calamity is rooted in the Sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ said that doing good (to the people) protects one from misfortunes, and secret charity extinguishes the anger of the Lord (At-Tabaraani, graded hasan by Al-Albaani). Charity is a means by which Allah repels many kinds of affliction from the giver, by His will, alongside supplication and taking practical steps. It is not a guarantee that nothing bad will happen.
- The Sunnah names charity as a means of repelling affliction, a cause and not a guarantee.
- Giving charity with the intention of warding off a feared harm or an illness is permissible.
- The Prophet ﷺ commanded charity during an eclipse, so scholars recommend it at times of fear.
- Small or large, charity benefits the giver, and secret charity has a special merit.
What is the evidence for sadaqah to ward off calamity?
Abu Umamah reported the hadith that doing good protects one from misfortunes, that secret charity extinguishes the anger of the Lord, and that maintaining family ties increases one’s lifespan. At-Tabaraani recorded it, and Al-Albaani graded its chain hasan (in Arabic). Scholars explain that the misfortunes meant here include an evil death, such as by collapse, drowning or fire, from which the Prophet ﷺ sought refuge.
Another narration from Anas, graded saheeh by Al-Albaani, reads: “Doing good (to the people) protects one from misfortunes, calamities, and destruction.” Charity is the first of these good deeds, which is why scholars count charity among the means of repelling affliction from a servant (in Arabic), affliction of every kind, not only illness.
What did scholars say about the effect of charity?
Ibn al-Qayyim wrote that charity has a remarkable effect in repelling many kinds of affliction, even when it comes from an oppressive or sinful person, and that this is known to people from experience. If charity has this effect from one who does not seek its reward, it is even more hoped for from a sincere believer.
Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported that during an eclipse the Prophet ﷺ told the people to supplicate Allah, say Allahu Akbar, pray, and give charity. Ibn Daqeeq Al-‘Eed took this as evidence that charity is desirable when one fears something, to repel the feared misfortune.
Can you give charity with the intention of warding off calamity?
Yes. Giving charity to ward off a feared calamity is not wrong, disliked or an innovation, since charity is encouraged every day. There is also no objection to slaughtering an animal and giving its meat in charity for this purpose (in Arabic). A sick person may give charity to repel his illness, and the details are in our article on sadaqah for healing from illness.
Charity is one means among others. It does not replace supplication or medical treatment, since seeking treatment is lawful and does not contradict reliance on Allah (in Arabic). Everything remains within Allah’s decree, and if affliction comes after charity, the giver keeps the reward of the charity and of patience.
How to give sadaqah to ward off calamity
- Make your intention sincerely for Allah, and ask Him to protect you and your family from what you fear.
- Give early, without waiting for hardship to arrive.
- Give some of it in secret, since secret charity extinguishes the anger of the Lord.
- Give what you can, as a little given sincerely is accepted.
- Choose a form that suits you from the types of sadaqah, such as providing water, feeding people or sponsoring orphans.
- You can give through Qatar Charity’s general sadaqah, which directs your gift to the most urgent projects.
Charity and affliction in brief
Does charity always prevent affliction?
No. Charity is a means by which Allah repels affliction by His will. Affliction may still come for a wisdom Allah knows, and the giver then has the reward of the charity and of patience.
Can I slaughter a sheep as charity to ward off calamity?
Yes. There is no objection to slaughtering a sheep or another animal and giving its meat in charity with this intention, just as giving money or food is allowed.
Does charity replace medical treatment?
No. Seeking treatment is lawful and does not contradict reliance on Allah. Charity goes alongside treatment and supplication and does not replace them.
When is charity to ward off calamity recommended?
Charity is lawful at any time, and it is especially recommended at times of fear, as the Prophet ﷺ commanded it during an eclipse.
