Al-Sadaqah serves as atonement for our sins.
If we
want our sins to be forgiven, and that of our beloved ones who have
passed away from this world then in addition to Taw bah and
Istighfar (repenting and seeking forgiveness), we must also give
al-Sadaqah (alms to the poor).
S V
Mir Ahmad ‘Ali
writes in
his Tafseer:
There
were some Muslims who did not accompany the Holy Prophet (saww) on the
expedition of Tabuk. When the Holy Prophet (saww) returned to Madina,
several verses were revealed to condemn these Muslims. Fearing the
punishment of Allah (SWT), Abu Lubaba and two other companions (who were
among the guilty) tied themselves to the pillars of the Masjid and said
that they would continue to remain tied till death unless the Holy
Prophet (saww) untied them as a gesture of forgiveness. They were
forgiven by Allah (SWT) and the following verse was revealed,
“And there are others who have confessed their sins. They have mixed up
a good action with another that was evil. It may be that Allah will turn
to them (with Mercy); Verily Allah is Oft-forgiving, Merciful”.
(9:102)
On being
freed, all three of them presented the Holy Prophet (saww) with gifts,
which he (saww) refused to accept, and said that he could not accept
anything from them unless he received Allah (SWT)’s command. Thereupon,
the following verse was revealed,
“Take alms out of their wealth; thereby you will cleanse them and purify
them; and pray for them…”
(9:103)
The Holy
Prophet (saww) has said,
“Verily the alms will cool down the
heat in the graves for those who gave them; and on the Day of Judgement,
a believer will remain in the shade of his alms”.