❀ Begging as a Profession and Unnecessary Asking Without Need ❀
Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
Islam severely warns against habitual begging and turning asking others into a profession, especially when there is no genuine need. The following authentic narrations of the Prophet ﷺ illustrate the severity of this matter:
Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (رضي الله عنهما):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Those who take begging as their profession will appear on the Day of Judgment in such a state that there will be no flesh on their faces."
[Bukhārī: 1474, Kitāb al-Zakāh: Chapter on Asking to Accumulate Wealth; Muslim: 1040]
Narrated by Abū Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever asks people to increase his wealth is actually asking for burning coals—he may take less or more as he wishes."
[Muslim: 1041]
Narrated by Zubayr bin al-‘Awwām (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"If one of you takes a rope, gathers firewood from the forest, carries it on his back and sells it, and Allah prevents his face from begging through this, then that is better for him than going around asking people, whether they give to him or not."
[Bukhārī: 1471, Kitāb al-Zakāh: Chapter on Self-Reliance from Begging]
Narrated by Samurah bin Jundub (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Begging is like a wound which a person inflicts upon his own face, except for the one who asks due to dire necessity or asks the ruler."
[Ṣaḥīḥ: Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 1443; al-Tirmidhī: 681, Kitāb al-Zakāh: Chapter on Prohibition of Begging; Abū Dāwūd: 1639]
These narrations clearly establish that:
◈ Habitual and unnecessary begging is a sinful act that will bring humiliation in the Hereafter.
◈ Begging to increase wealth is akin to collecting hellfire.
◈ Self-reliance, even through hard labor, is far superior to begging.
◈ Only genuine necessity or asking the ruler for help is excused.
Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
❖ Begging Without Need is Strongly Discouraged in Islam
Islam severely warns against habitual begging and turning asking others into a profession, especially when there is no genuine need. The following authentic narrations of the Prophet ﷺ illustrate the severity of this matter:
➊ Disgrace on the Day of Judgment for Habitual Beggars
Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (رضي الله عنهما):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Those who take begging as their profession will appear on the Day of Judgment in such a state that there will be no flesh on their faces."
[Bukhārī: 1474, Kitāb al-Zakāh: Chapter on Asking to Accumulate Wealth; Muslim: 1040]
➋ Begging for Wealth is Like Gathering Coals
Narrated by Abū Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever asks people to increase his wealth is actually asking for burning coals—he may take less or more as he wishes."
[Muslim: 1041]
➌ Earning Through Labor is Superior to Begging
Narrated by Zubayr bin al-‘Awwām (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"If one of you takes a rope, gathers firewood from the forest, carries it on his back and sells it, and Allah prevents his face from begging through this, then that is better for him than going around asking people, whether they give to him or not."
[Bukhārī: 1471, Kitāb al-Zakāh: Chapter on Self-Reliance from Begging]
➍ Begging is a Wound—Except in Genuine Need
Narrated by Samurah bin Jundub (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Begging is like a wound which a person inflicts upon his own face, except for the one who asks due to dire necessity or asks the ruler."
[Ṣaḥīḥ: Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 1443; al-Tirmidhī: 681, Kitāb al-Zakāh: Chapter on Prohibition of Begging; Abū Dāwūd: 1639]
✿ Conclusion:
These narrations clearly establish that:
◈ Habitual and unnecessary begging is a sinful act that will bring humiliation in the Hereafter.
◈ Begging to increase wealth is akin to collecting hellfire.
◈ Self-reliance, even through hard labor, is far superior to begging.
◈ Only genuine necessity or asking the ruler for help is excused.
