The Ruling on Giving Charity to One Who Appears Capable of Earning a Livelihood

The question: The first letter in this episode is from Kamil Muhammad al-Hasan Ahmad al-Nur al-Din from the Northern Region of Sudan. We had previously presented a question about looking into the Torah and the Gospel in a past episode, and here we are presenting the rest of our brother Kamil’s questions in this episode: He says, Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Ma'arij: 24-25]. I ask for clarification of the meaning of the verse; because what prompted me to ask is that a person stands before me whose features indicate that he is strong and able to work and earn a living from the work of his hands, and he asked me to give him money as charity. Is it permissible for me to give charity to people like these? Please inform us, may Allah reward you?
Answer: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, and may Allah send blessings and peace upon the Messenger of Allah, upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow his guidance.
As for what follows: Allah the Exalted says: [Al-Dhariyat: 15-19].
The scholars have differed regarding the truth of this, and it was said: it is zakah, and it was said: it is other than zakah. So the most perfect of the believers give a right from their wealth to the poor and the needy, other than zakah, competing in good deeds, hastening to acts of righteousness, and showing compassion to those in need and the poor. So the questioner, and whoever asks and begs, has a right, except if you know that he is rich and does not deserve zakah, in which case he is not given, and it is explained to him that it is not permissible for him to ask. But if he is unknown and his condition is not known, or if he is known to be poor and in need, then he is given from zakah and from other charity. As for the deprived (al-mahrum), he is the poor person who has been deprived of wealth, or one who had wealth but was struck by a calamity that swept away his wealth, so he became poor; he is given from zakah and from other charity. And if the one who comes forward asking is strong, then he is advised and told: it is not lawful for a rich person or a strong person who earns a living. If he excuses himself and mentions that he has no work and nothing to support his condition, he is given. It is established from him (peace and blessings be upon him): A person may be physically strong but not find work, so he remains in severe need. Or he may have an internal ailment that prevents him from working, but the appearance of his body indicates that he is strong. If he shows what indicates his entitlement, he is given and believed in this, out of a desire to show compassion to those in need, and because this may occur. Wealth may become available to the strong person, or it may not become available, either due to a scarcity of jobs in the country or for other reasons. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.