Voluntary Sadaqa

1. Voluntary charity is sunnah and mustahabb at any time.
2. Especially if given in secret.
3. And in special times and places such as Ramadhan, the ten days of dhul-hijja, in the two sanctuaries, etc.
4. The recipient being a neighbor adds to its thawaab.
5. Likewise to a blood relative (especially one for whom you are not responsible) as that is both sadaqa and silatu rahim (connecting family ties).
6. If one give sadaqa which diminishes what his needed for his responsibilities or causes harm to himself or to his creditor, he commits a sin by doing that.
7. One who has not patience or is not used to living with very limited means should not reduce his property through sadaqa to less than his complete needs.  (Heirs must also be considered.)
8. Al-mann (showing off, expecting gratitude or favors in return) when giving is a major sin and obliterates and reward for the sadaqa.