what is the commandment about beggars in Islam?
In Islam, the treatment of beggars and the commandment surrounding them is outlined in both the Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
The Qur'an states, (Alms are) for the poor who are straitened for the cause of Allah, who cannot travel in the land (for trade). The unthinking man accounteth them wealthy because of their restraint. Thou shalt know them by their mark: They do not beg of men with importunity. And whatsoever good thing ye spend, lo! Allah knoweth it.
2:273. This verse emphasizes that the poor, who are striving in the way of Allah and do not beg insistently, are deserving of alms and support.
Additionally, there is a narration from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that provides guidance on the issue of begging. It recounts an incident where A man from the Ansar came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and asked him, 'Do you have something in your house?' He replied, 'Yes, a cloak we wear part of and spread part of, and a drinking vessel for water.' The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Bring them to me.' When he brought them, the Messenger of Allah took them in his hand and asked, 'Who will buy these?' A man said, 'I will take them for a dirham.' Another said, 'Who will offer more than one dirham? Twice or thrice?' Then a man said, 'I will give two dirhams.' So he gave them to him and took the two dirhams and handed them to the Ansari man who said, 'Buy with one of them food and throw it to your family. Buy with the other a firewood and bring it to me.' He did so; then the Messenger of Allah took it and tied a stick to it with his hand and said, 'Go gather firewood, and I don’t expect to see you for fifteen days.' So he went and gathered firewood and sold it; then he came with ten dirhams. The Prophet said, 'Buy food with some of it and clothing with some of it. This is better for you than coming and asking. The begging will be a thorn in your face on the Day of Resurrection. Begging is only appropriate for one in utter poverty, a heavy debt, or severe bleeding.'
Sunan Ibn Majah 13:62.
These teachings highlight the importance of assisting those in need while also encouraging self-sufficiency and the avoidance of begging unless absolutely necessary.
Sources
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2:273 · Al-Baqara
2:273 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
لِلْفُقَرَآءِ ٱلَّذِينَ أُحْصِرُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْبًۭا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَحْسَبُهُمُ ٱلْجَاهِلُ أَغْنِيَآءَ مِنَ ٱلتَّعَفُّفِ تَعْرِفُهُم بِسِيمَٰهُمْ لَا يَسْـَٔلُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ إِلْحَافًۭا ۗ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌ
(Alms are) for the poor who are straitened for the cause of Allah, who cannot travel in the land (for trade). The unthinking man accounteth them wealthy because of their restraint. Thou shalt know them by their mark: They do not beg of men with importunity. And whatsoever good thing ye spend, lo! Allah knoweth it.
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Sunan Ibn Majah 13:62
Sunan Ibn Majah · Book 13, Hadith 62 · Narrated by Anas ibn Malik
A man from the Ansar came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and asked him, "Do you have something in your house?" He replied, "Yes, a cloak we wear part of and spread part of, and a drinking vessel for water." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Bring them to me." When he brought them, the Messenger of Allah took them in his hand and asked, "Who will buy these?" A man said, "I will take them for a dirham." Another said, "Who will offer more than one dirham? Twice or thrice?" Then a man said, "I will give two dirhams." So he gave them to him and took the two dirhams and handed them to the Ansari man who said, "Buy with one of them food and throw it to your family. Buy with the other a firewood and bring it to me." He did so; then the Messenger of Allah took it and tied a stick to it with his hand and said, "Go gather firewood, and I don’t expect to see you for fifteen days." So he went and gathered firewood and sold it; then he came with ten dirhams. The Prophet said, "Buy food with some of it and clothing with some of it. This is better for you than coming and asking. The begging will be a thorn in your face on the Day of Resurrection. Begging is only appropriate for one in utter poverty, a heavy debt, or severe bleeding.
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