Charity removes difficulties

Charity (Sadqa) is always permissible and commendable, irrespective of whether it is for a healthy person or an ill one, for someone in ease and comfort or for someone in a difficulty.  This is because charity dispels hardships and difficulties.  The fire of the wrath of Allah Ta'ala is cooled and it is protection against a bad death or death without faith (Iman).  There is a Hadith in Jame' Tirmidhi:

 

Translation of Hadith:  It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Anas Bin Malik (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Verily! Sadqa (Charity) dispels the anger of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) and saves from a death without Iman.  (Jame' Tirmidhi, Vol. 1, Pg No. 144)

 

Sadqa is a general word, regardless of whether an animal is slaughtered and its meat is distributed or it is cooked and fed or in some other way.  All are permissible and correct.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:

 

Translation of Hadith:  Indeed! The Sadqa of a believer will be a shade for him (or her) on the Day of Judgment.  (Musnad Imam Ahmed, Pg No. 170)

 

By performing good deeds like Sadqa and the like, we become worthy of the special mercy of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) and we are rewarded with the "Qurb" (closeness) of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala). 

 

As Allah Ta'ala says in Surah A'araaf:

 

..........for the Mercy of Allah is (always) near to those who do good.  Surah A'araaf (7:56)

 

And in Surah Baqarah:

 

............for Allah loves those who do good.  Surah Baqarah (2:195)

 

When a person in any difficulty or hardship gives charity (Sadqa), then he/she is in fact treating those who receive the charity with mercy.  Through this, that person receives the special mercy of Allah Ta'ala, through which difficulties and hardships ar removed. 

 

There is a Hadith in Jame' Tirmidhi:

 

Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) treats those with special mercy who treats others with mercy.  (Abu Dawood, Jame' Tirmidhi, Pg No. 423)

 
Shariah rulings about Sadqa

If for e.g. a goat/ram, etc. is slaughtered as a Wajib Sadqa (Compulsory charity), i.e. an oath (Nazar, Mannat in Urdu) was taken to slaughter a goat and give in Sadqa, then it can be given to those needy people who are not from "Sadaat" (descendants of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)).  The person giving the Sadqa should not eat it and should not give it to the immediate family members.

 

If there are other relatives who are not needy and are not "Sadaat," then they also can be given it. 

 

If the Sadqa of the goat is optional (Nafl), then the wealthy people also can be included. 

 

As given in Raddul Muhtaar, Kitab Ul Waqf.