Fatwa ID: 07165
Answered by: Maulana Safraz Mohammad
Question:
Is there a difference between soliciting donations and begging? I ask because I know begging is prohibited unless there is a dire need and as a last resort.
For example, would it be wrong for an organisation to ask for voluntary contributions of money to support itself or a beneficial cause, like helping those worthy of charity, or would that be considered begging? Also, let’s say I’m a worthy recipient of zakat or charity, like someone who is totally devoted to studying Islam and therefore not working (included in Fi Sabilillah by some scholars), would it be considered begging for me to ask people for assistance? If there is a difference can you explain how please Thanks!
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
It is permissible for an organisation or institution which looks after the poor and needy to solicit donations like Zakāt for the people in their care.
There is a very clear distinction between soliciting donations to care for the poor and needy and begging. Begging others for one’s own personal needs is not advisable in Islam. However, seeking funds to run an organisation which caters for the poor and needy and looks after their interest and needs is permissible. This is proven by many narrations of the Prophet ( peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) where he solicited donations on different occasions (Tabook expedition, etc).
«حاشية ابن عابدين = رد المحتار ط الحلبي» (2/ 344):
«وَيُشْتَرَطُ أَنْ يَكُونَ الصَّرْفُ (تَمْلِيكًا) لَا إبَاحَةً كَمَا مَرَّ (لَا) يُصْرَفُ (إلَى بِنَاءِ) نَحْوِ (مَسْجِدٍ وَ) لَا إلَى (كَفَنِ مَيِّتٍ وَقَضَاءِ دَيْنِهِ) أَمَّا دَيْنُ
«حاشية ابن عابدين = رد المحتار ط الحلبي» (2/ 344):
«وَفِي التَّمْلِيكِ إشَارَةٌ إلَى أَنَّهُ لَا يُصْرَفُ إلَى مَجْنُونٍ وَصَبِيٍّ غَيْرِ مُرَاهِقٍ إلَّا إذَا قَبَضَ لَهُمَا مَنْ يَجُوزُ لَهُ قَبْضُهُ كَالْأَبِ وَالْوَصِيِّ وَغَيْرِهِمَا وَيُصْرَفُ إلَى مُرَاهِقٍ يَعْقِلُ الْأَخْذَ كَمَا فِي الْمُحِيطِ قُهُسْتَانِيٌّ وَتَقَدَّمَ تَمَامُ الْكَلَامِ عَلَى ذَلِكَ أَوَّلَ الزَّكَاةِ»
عن عبد الرحمن بن خباب، قال: شهدت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو يحث على جيش العسرة فقام عثمان بن عفان فقال: يا رسول الله علي مائة بعير بأحلاسها وأقتابها في سبيل الله، ثم حض على الجيش فقام عثمان بن عفان فقال: يا رسول الله علي مائتا بعير بأحلاسها وأقتابها في سبيل الله، ثم حض على الجيش فقام عثمان بن عفان فقال: يا رسول الله علي ثلاث مائة بعير بأحلاسها وأقتابها في سبيل الله، فأنا رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ينزل عن المنبر وهو يقول: ما على عثمان ما عمل بعد هذه، ما على عثمان ما عمل بعد هذه.
(سنن الترمذی،ابواب المناقب، باب في مناقب عثمان بن عفان،رقم الحديث:3700،ج:2،ص:211)
Only Allah تعالي Knows Best
Written by Maulana Safraz Mohammad
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
