⭑ The Profession of Begging in the Light of Authentic Ahadith ⭑
Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
Begging as a profession is a cause of humiliation and disgrace in both this world and the Hereafter. Several Ahadith clearly warn against it:
① ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
مازال الرجل يسأل الناس حتى ياتي يوم القيامة ليس فى وجهه مزعة لحم
“A man will keep on asking people (for help) until he will come on the Day of Resurrection with no flesh left on his face.”
[Bukhari: 1484; Muslim: 1040; al-Nasa’i: 2584]
② Samurah bin Jundub رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Indeed, begging is scratches (marks) by which a man injures his own face. Whoever wishes, let him keep these marks, and whoever wishes, let him refrain — except when one asks from a ruler or in a matter where one has no other option.”
[Sahih: Sahih al-Targhib: 792; Abu Dawud: 1639; al-Nasa’i 5/100; Tirmidhi: 681; Ibn Hibban: 3388]
③ Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“If the one who begs knew what (humiliation and sin) there is in it, he would never beg.”
[Hasan li-ghayrihi: Sahih al-Targhib: 797; al-Tabarani in al-Kabir]
④ Jabir bin ‘Abdullah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever begs while he is not in need will be raised on the Day of Resurrection with scratches on his face.”
[Sahih li-ghayrihi: Sahih al-Targhib: 800; al-Tabarani in al-Awsat]
⑤ ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ud رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever begs while he possesses that which makes him independent, his begging will come on the Day of Resurrection as scratches, cuts, or marks on his face.”
It was asked: “O Messenger of Allah! What makes him independent?” He ﷺ replied:
“Fifty dirhams or its equivalent in gold.”
[Sahih: al-Silsilah al-Sahihah: 499; Ibn Majah: 1502; al-Nasa’i: 2591; Abu Dawud: 1626; Tirmidhi: 650–651]
⑥ Thawban رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Who will guarantee me one thing, and I will guarantee him Paradise?”
I (Thawban) said: “I will.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Do not ask people for anything.”
After that, Thawban رضي الله عنه would never ask anyone for anything — even if his whip fell while riding, he would get down and pick it up himself.
[Sahih: Sahih Ibn Majah: 1487; Ibn Majah: 1838; Abu Dawud: 1643; al-Nasa’i: 2589; al-Hakim 1/412]
Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
⮚ Ruling & Consequences
Begging as a profession is a cause of humiliation and disgrace in both this world and the Hereafter. Several Ahadith clearly warn against it:
① ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
مازال الرجل يسأل الناس حتى ياتي يوم القيامة ليس فى وجهه مزعة لحم
“A man will keep on asking people (for help) until he will come on the Day of Resurrection with no flesh left on his face.”
[Bukhari: 1484; Muslim: 1040; al-Nasa’i: 2584]
② Samurah bin Jundub رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Indeed, begging is scratches (marks) by which a man injures his own face. Whoever wishes, let him keep these marks, and whoever wishes, let him refrain — except when one asks from a ruler or in a matter where one has no other option.”
[Sahih: Sahih al-Targhib: 792; Abu Dawud: 1639; al-Nasa’i 5/100; Tirmidhi: 681; Ibn Hibban: 3388]
③ Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“If the one who begs knew what (humiliation and sin) there is in it, he would never beg.”
[Hasan li-ghayrihi: Sahih al-Targhib: 797; al-Tabarani in al-Kabir]
④ Jabir bin ‘Abdullah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever begs while he is not in need will be raised on the Day of Resurrection with scratches on his face.”
[Sahih li-ghayrihi: Sahih al-Targhib: 800; al-Tabarani in al-Awsat]
⑤ ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ud رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever begs while he possesses that which makes him independent, his begging will come on the Day of Resurrection as scratches, cuts, or marks on his face.”
It was asked: “O Messenger of Allah! What makes him independent?” He ﷺ replied:
“Fifty dirhams or its equivalent in gold.”
[Sahih: al-Silsilah al-Sahihah: 499; Ibn Majah: 1502; al-Nasa’i: 2591; Abu Dawud: 1626; Tirmidhi: 650–651]
⑥ Thawban رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Who will guarantee me one thing, and I will guarantee him Paradise?”
I (Thawban) said: “I will.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Do not ask people for anything.”
After that, Thawban رضي الله عنه would never ask anyone for anything — even if his whip fell while riding, he would get down and pick it up himself.
[Sahih: Sahih Ibn Majah: 1487; Ibn Majah: 1838; Abu Dawud: 1643; al-Nasa’i: 2589; al-Hakim 1/412]
