Is It Permissible to Use Fake Money to Track Daily Sadaqa?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

Is it acceptable to use fake money to track daily sadaqa and then calculate the total at the end of the month and donate the equivalent in real money?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

It would be acceptable to use fake money to keep track of your sadaqa. However, why not use other alternative ways to keep track of your sadaqa, like writing the amount down? This way, fake money will not have to be used, and you will not have any guilt feeling.

Strive for What is Best

One should always strive for what is best for us in what we say and do, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, although both are good. Strive for that which will benefit you, seek the help of Allah, and do not feel helpless. If anything befalls you, do not say, ‘if only I had done such and such’; rather, say, ‘Qaddara Allahu wa ma sha’a fa’ala (Allah has decreed, and whatever he wills, He does).’ For (saying) ‘If’ opens (the door) to the deeds of Satan.” [Ibn Majah]

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Related:
The Definition of Haram and How the Haram is Determined.
The Fiqh of Everyday Life for Youth

I pray this helps with your question.

[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.