Is it permissible for one to ask people for charity on behalf of the poor?

The questioner : Of course, he would be one of the donors.

The Shaykh : Donors.

The questioner : Does it appear, Shaykh, that he is the one who collects charity from people and distributes it to those who are entitled to it?

The Shaykh : Yes, if he is given it? By Allah, I do not know. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said And when the people who came to him arrived, he encouraged people to give charity. But for a person to go and ask people persistently so that they give charity to be distributed to others, there is a concern with that. First, it involves a kind of humiliation, and second, if he is someone from whom one feels shy, the donor may only give to him out of shyness. So for him to go and say to people, "Give your zakah, give your charity," is not appropriate. However, if he wants to collect for a specific poor person who is in dire need, then there is no harm in that, if Allah wills, we hope.