How to Deal with Beggars
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Question:
Our brother asks another question as well, saying: We have many people who stand in the streets and extend their hands seeking money, and we do not know whether these people pray and are deserving of charity or not?
Also, we do not know whether they are in need of it or not? And yet, we feel hesitant if we do not give to them, in application of the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Duha:10]. Is giving to them permissible and required of us? Or is it a form of assisting them in idleness and laziness regarding work?
And if we do not know their condition, whether they observe the limits of Allah or not, what is the ruling on what we are doing? Please inform us, and may Allah guide you.
Answer:
Allah the Exalted says: [Adh-Dhariyat:19]. In the wealth of the believers, there is a right for the beggar and the one who is deprived. The beggar has three states: sometimes you know that he is rich, sometimes you know that he is poor, and sometimes you do not know his condition.
So if you do not know his condition, or you know that he is poor, the Sunnah for you is to give him what is easy, even if it is little:Sahih Muslim 1016b.
As for if you know that he is rich, the obligatory thing is to advise him, forbid him from this action, and deter him from it; because Allah has forbidden it for him. It is not permissible to beg while in abundance. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 1041.
So it is obligatory for the one who has money sufficient for him not to beg, and to beware of begging. As for you, O passerby by the beggar! If you do not know his condition, or you know that he is poor, it is recommended for you to give him what is easy, due to the noble verse: [Adh-Dhariyat:19]. And in the other verse: [Al-Ma'arij 70:24] for the beggar and the one who is deprived [Al-Ma'arij:24-25].
And it is not permissible for you to rebuke him; due to the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Duha:10]. And His saying -Exalted and Majestic is He-: [Al-Baqarah:263].
And if he is a young man, advise him to work if he finds work, so that he becomes independent of begging. If he is strong, even if he is not young, if he is strong, advise him to work and strive to seek sustenance, so that Allah makes him independent of begging. So the believer advises his brother and directs him to good, helps him in good, and assists him if he needs assistance. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
Our brother asks another question as well, saying: We have many people who stand in the streets and extend their hands seeking money, and we do not know whether these people pray and are deserving of charity or not?
Also, we do not know whether they are in need of it or not? And yet, we feel hesitant if we do not give to them, in application of the saying of Allah the Exalted:
And as for the petitioner, do not repel [him].
وَأَمَّا السَّائِلَ فَلا تَنْهَرْAnd if we do not know their condition, whether they observe the limits of Allah or not, what is the ruling on what we are doing? Please inform us, and may Allah guide you.
Answer:
Allah the Exalted says:
And from their properties was [given] the right of the [needy] petitioner and the deprived.
وَفِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ حَقٌّ لِلسَّائِلِ وَالْمَحْرُومِSo if you do not know his condition, or you know that he is poor, the Sunnah for you is to give him what is easy, even if it is little:
So protect (yourselves) against Fire even if it is with the help of half a date.
فاتقوا النار ولو بشق تمرةAs for if you know that he is rich, the obligatory thing is to advise him, forbid him from this action, and deter him from it; because Allah has forbidden it for him. It is not permissible to beg while in abundance. 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.
من سأل الناس أموالهم تكثرًا، فإنما يسأل جمرًا، فليستقل أو ليستكثرSo it is obligatory for the one who has money sufficient for him not to beg, and to beware of begging. As for you, O passerby by the beggar! If you do not know his condition, or you know that he is poor, it is recommended for you to give him what is easy, due to the noble verse:
And from their properties was [given] the right of the [needy] petitioner and the deprived.
وَفِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ حَقٌّ لِلسَّائِلِ وَالْمَحْرُومِAnd those within whose wealth is a known right
وَالَّذِينَ فِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ حَقٌّ مَعْلُومٌ And it is not permissible for you to rebuke him; due to the saying of Allah the Exalted:
And as for the petitioner, do not repel [him].
وَأَمَّا السَّائِلَ فَلا تَنْهَرْKind speech and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury
قَوْلٌ مَعْرُوفٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ يَتْبَعُهَا أَذًىAnd if he is a young man, advise him to work if he finds work, so that he becomes independent of begging. If he is strong, even if he is not young, if he is strong, advise him to work and strive to seek sustenance, so that Allah makes him independent of begging. So the believer advises his brother and directs him to good, helps him in good, and assists him if he needs assistance. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.