Every month, I am giving money towards voluntary charity (sadaqah) to eliminate the spiritual malady of miserliness.
What is Sadaqah?
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 are both very destructive diseases and Sadaqah that is rendered secretly is a powerful remedy to them.
Source: http://www.uwt.org/site/article.asp?id=170
What is more important, giving money to eliminate the spiritual malady of miserliness or to save up for hajj? What I mean is, if I save up for hajj only, I might become weak and when I see such a large sum of money, I may not want to spend it. Which is the whole point of me giving money towards sadaqah to eliminate the spiritual malady of miserliness.
Anyway, at my current rate, I am giving an equal amount towards sadaqah monthly as I am saving monthly for hajj. At this rate, I may not have enough money for hajj until I am about 110 years old!!! I could half this to 55 years if I stop giving towards sadaqah, but then risk developing the illness above and may not be able to spend the money towards hajj...
So my question, should I stop giving towards sadaqah to reduce the time it takes me to save for hajj and risk the disease of miserliness taking over me, or should I hope to live and have enough energy to do hajj at the age of 110?