Is Begging in Islam Allowed?
Begging in Islam is forbidden except in case of dire necessity. Muslims believe it's better to depend on Allah for everything, the "Provider & Protector."
According to Islamic beliefs, no Muslim should ever be hungry and no Muslim must ever beg. This means that as a Muslim nation, it's believed that it is the community's responsibility to assist those who are in genuine need.
When this situation arises, it is a time when both the poor and the rich will be tested. It is a time when a Muslim must depend on Allah solely for support and sustenance. Islam teaches that it is better to work than to accept charity except for three reasons:
According to Hadith Muslim, "What is besides these in begging is unlawful and its owner eats unlawful things."
Sayyiduna Zubair Bin Awam (peace be upon him*) reported that the Glorious Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "That one of you takes his rope and then comes with a load of wood upon his back and sells it is better than to beg of men whether they give or reject him." (Hadith Bukhari)
It is understood that begging is not the same as a Muslim desiring to give sadakah or charity to a person who is in need. The people deserving charity are eight: wayfarer, the bankrupt, the needy, converts, captives, collectors of zakat, and the cause of Allah. (List from Quran 2:177)
Why is Begging Unlawful in Islam?
There are three primary reasons why begging is prohibited. According to Islam:
All Muslims fear judgment day and the day when one meets Allah; one must explain their actions in this life and how the time was spent.
"Begging is similar to scratching the flesh off your face; so if someone wants to save his face he should avoid it, except for asking from the ruler or asking in case of dire need." (Reported by Abu Dawud and An-Nisa'i)
Notably, when the hadith speaks about "the ruler," this refers to government and welfare.
The Destitute is the One Who Does not Ask
According to the hadith, it is better not to ask and depend on Allah for all sustenance. In Islam, blessed be the Muslim who gives to such a person in their attempts to please Allah.
Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "The destitute (miskeen) is not one who goes around begging from people and desists when given a morsel or two. The destitute is a person who does not have enough for his sustenance, yet people do not realize that (his needy condition) so as to give him in charity, and he does not ask people (for charity). "(Hadith Bukhari)
Summary of Begging in Islam
It is not haram (forbidden) in Islam to accept charity that is freely given from a Muslim who is trying to please Allah. It is forbidden to beg when a genuine need does not exist. No Muslim of faith would ever beg on the streets, in the malls or by the doors of cars for sustenance. In fact, Muslims are instructed to avoid giving charity to one who begs regularly.
It is forbidden for a Muslim to tell friends and neighbors about loss of employment and home with hopes of charity. It is with sincere hope though, that Muslims will indeed help those in dire need and that charity be given daily, weekly and monthly to please Allah, the "Creator, the Benefactor and the Forgiver of Sins, not just at Ramadan.
* Muslims invoke Allah's blessings on the Prophet Muhammad and other companions whenever their names are mentioned.
According to Islamic beliefs, no Muslim should ever be hungry and no Muslim must ever beg. This means that as a Muslim nation, it's believed that it is the community's responsibility to assist those who are in genuine need.
When this situation arises, it is a time when both the poor and the rich will be tested. It is a time when a Muslim must depend on Allah solely for support and sustenance. Islam teaches that it is better to work than to accept charity except for three reasons:
- A man who has debts is allowed to beg until the debt is paid in full.
- A man who has experienced a disaster which has ruined his home — such as with an earthquake or tornado — is allowed to beg until he able to work once more.
- A man who is starving or in dire need is permitted to beg if three men speak of this need or express their agreement that this is appropriate for the individual. It is lawful for this Muslim to beg until able to work once more.
According to Hadith Muslim, "What is besides these in begging is unlawful and its owner eats unlawful things."
Sayyiduna Zubair Bin Awam (peace be upon him*) reported that the Glorious Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "That one of you takes his rope and then comes with a load of wood upon his back and sells it is better than to beg of men whether they give or reject him." (Hadith Bukhari)
It is understood that begging is not the same as a Muslim desiring to give sadakah or charity to a person who is in need. The people deserving charity are eight: wayfarer, the bankrupt, the needy, converts, captives, collectors of zakat, and the cause of Allah. (List from Quran 2:177)
Why is Begging Unlawful in Islam?
There are three primary reasons why begging is prohibited. According to Islam:
- Begging will cause the Muslim to lose dependence on Allah alone. The Muslim turns from asking Allah for money and support and turns to asking men for help.
- The Muslim who begs lowers himself before others and thus loses honor and dignity.
- The Muslim who begs causes others to go without. Muslims are afraid to anger Allah by not helping the beggar and the person who gives charity and does not have the funds, feels a loss of property for their family
All Muslims fear judgment day and the day when one meets Allah; one must explain their actions in this life and how the time was spent.
"Begging is similar to scratching the flesh off your face; so if someone wants to save his face he should avoid it, except for asking from the ruler or asking in case of dire need." (Reported by Abu Dawud and An-Nisa'i)
Notably, when the hadith speaks about "the ruler," this refers to government and welfare.
The Destitute is the One Who Does not Ask
According to the hadith, it is better not to ask and depend on Allah for all sustenance. In Islam, blessed be the Muslim who gives to such a person in their attempts to please Allah.
Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "The destitute (miskeen) is not one who goes around begging from people and desists when given a morsel or two. The destitute is a person who does not have enough for his sustenance, yet people do not realize that (his needy condition) so as to give him in charity, and he does not ask people (for charity). "(Hadith Bukhari)
Summary of Begging in Islam
It is not haram (forbidden) in Islam to accept charity that is freely given from a Muslim who is trying to please Allah. It is forbidden to beg when a genuine need does not exist. No Muslim of faith would ever beg on the streets, in the malls or by the doors of cars for sustenance. In fact, Muslims are instructed to avoid giving charity to one who begs regularly.
It is forbidden for a Muslim to tell friends and neighbors about loss of employment and home with hopes of charity. It is with sincere hope though, that Muslims will indeed help those in dire need and that charity be given daily, weekly and monthly to please Allah, the "Creator, the Benefactor and the Forgiver of Sins, not just at Ramadan.
* Muslims invoke Allah's blessings on the Prophet Muhammad and other companions whenever their names are mentioned.