The prevalence of beggars in Ramadan: How do we know who is in need?
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Question : This questioner says: Beggars are very numerous in Ramadan to the extent that we do not know who is deserving and who is a fraud. How do we deal with this group, Shaykh Muhammad?
Answer : If it is most likely in your opinion that he is in need, give to him, for you are on the right path. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) told us about a man who went out with his charity and gave it to a rich person. The people began to talk about it, saying, "He gave charity to a rich person last night." It was said to him, "This is the man who gave charity. Your charity has been accepted, perhaps this rich person will be inspired by you and give charity." If he gives his charity to one he thinks is worthy of charity, Allah the Exalted accepts it.
But if it is most likely in your opinion that he is a beggar who only seeks to accumulate wealth, do not give to him, and direct advice to him. Tell him that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 1041 and he informed (peace and blessings be upon him) that a person does not and may Allah protect us from that.
And on this occasion, I advise my brothers who have been afflicted with this profession, which is begging. I advise them to refrain from it and to be content with what Allah the Exalted has given them. If they have wealth, let them be content with the wealth. If they do not have wealth but they have strength and energy, let them be content with the strength and energy Allah has given them, and let them go down to the field of work.
Answer : If it is most likely in your opinion that he is in need, give to him, for you are on the right path. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) told us about a man who went out with his charity and gave it to a rich person. The people began to talk about it, saying, "He gave charity to a rich person last night." It was said to him, "This is the man who gave charity. Your charity has been accepted, perhaps this rich person will be inspired by you and give charity." If he gives his charity to one he thinks is worthy of charity, Allah the Exalted accepts it.
But if it is most likely in your opinion that he is a beggar who only seeks to accumulate wealth, do not give to him, and direct advice to him. Tell him that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
He who begs the riches of others to increase his own is asking only for live coals, so let him ask a little or much.
مَنْ سَأَلَ النَّاسَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ تَكَثُّرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَسْأَلُ جَمْرًا فَلْيَسْتَقِلَّ أَوْ لِيَسْتَكْثِرْ،He keeps asking people until he comes on the Day of Resurrection with no piece of flesh on his face.
يزال يسأل الناس حتى يأتي يوم القيامة وما في وجهه مزعة لحمAnd on this occasion, I advise my brothers who have been afflicted with this profession, which is begging. I advise them to refrain from it and to be content with what Allah the Exalted has given them. If they have wealth, let them be content with the wealth. If they do not have wealth but they have strength and energy, let them be content with the strength and energy Allah has given them, and let them go down to the field of work.
Source
قناة «فضيلة الشيخ محمد بن صالح العثيمين»، 1259- يكثر المتسولون في رمضان كيف نعرف من هو بحاجة؟/سؤال على الهاتف 📞 /ابن عثيمين — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.