Sedaqah

What is Sadaqah?

Sadaqah - Giving in Charity
By Imam Ghazaali (R.A.H)

SADAQAH (giving in charity) is a deed designed to eliminate the spiritual malady of miserliness. But because the heart of the giver is not immune from show and insincerity, it has been emphasized that Sadaqah should always be given secretly. Certainly, Riyaa (show) and miserliness art both very destructive diseases and Sadaqah that is rendered secretly is a powerful remedy to them.

In the grave, Riyaa assumes the form of a snake and miserliness takes the appearance of a scorpion and both are set on the sinner to inflict torture and pain. Thus, one who desists from spending in the Path of Allah out of miserliness has, in reality, incurred the punishment of scorpions and one who spends, but with insincerity, has, in fact opted for the punishment of snakes.
source (www.uwt.org)