In the world we live, when credit and loans are so easily available…one no longer needs to trail the streets to be amongst those who ask without need. It is tantalisingly simple to obtain a loan, a few clicks of buttons and money that we don’t truly need, is filling our bank accounts. We bask in the luxury, not reflecting upon the consequences of our actions.
While many loans and credit will incur riba (interest or usury), a big crime in of itself, today our focus is on another aspect,
Sahl Ibn Handhaliyyah reported that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘Whoever asks people for money when he has what is sufficient for him is only asking for more of the embers of Hell.’ They asked him, ‘O Messenger of Allah! What is sufficient so that he does not have to ask for more?’ He said, ‘Having enough to eat lunch and dinner.’ (Abu Dawud)
What an amazing lesson and warning from our beloved Prophet who cared for us and wished that no harm should befall us. He left behind such words for us to cling on to, to live by so that we do not cause our own afflictions.
Holding a burning ember from this earth is torture enough, for anyone who has accidentally burnt themselves know that fire is not to be played with. However, the hadith mentions an ember from hell. Hell; whose fire is seventy times hotter than our earthly flames! Hell; whose heat alone causes faces to melt and bellies to boil. What would a burning ember from deep within it cause of pain! May Allah protect us.
My dear brothers and sisters. The responsibility is upon our shoulders. We have to stop our habits of begging, borrowing and asking without need. Let us learn to be content with what we have, and spend wisely and only from what is within our means.
Further to the threat of amassing burning embers, Ibn Mas’ud reported that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘whoever asks people for money when he has what is sufficient for him will come on the day of Judgement with scratches and lacerations on his face.’ (Ahmad)
Only Allah knows the severity of these lacerations, and how they came about, but nonetheless in no way are they pleasant. Rather they are an apparent manifestation of Allah’s displeasure, for the world to see, on a Day when everyone will be gathered. What an embarrassment it would be!
It was narrated that Qabeesah ibn Mukhaariq al-Hilaali said: The Messenger of Allah said: “O Qabeesah, asking for help is not permissible except in one of three cases: a man who has incurred a debt (in order to reconcile between two parties), for whom it is permissible to ask for help until he has paid it off, then he should refrain; a man who has been stricken by a calamity that has destroyed all his wealth, for whom it is permissible to ask for help until he gets enough to get by – or he gets enough to meet his basic needs; and a man who is stricken by poverty and three men of wisdom among his people acknowledge that So and so has been stricken by poverty, then it becomes permissible for him to ask for help until he gets enough to get by – or to meet his basic needs. Apart from these cases asking for help, O Qabeesah, is haram and the one who begs is consuming something haram.” (Ahmad, Muslim, an-Nasa’i and Abu Dawood)
Those who beg and take what they do not need, must be wary of the threat of punishment. They are consuming that which is unlawful for which there is a hefty price to pay in the akhirah.
In another hadith, our Prophet taught, “Charity is not permissible for a rich person, or for one who is strong and healthy.” (Bukhari, Muslim, Abu, Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
Only ask for what you need, and do not exceed the limits. In this way, society will function in harmony, and the wealth can go to those are truly deserving of it, and in need of it.
On the other hand, for those who are the givers, these ahadith should in no way hinder our charity. Rather our hands and hearts should be open to give to others. Repulsing or chiding the beggar is also disallowed because Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “and do not chide the one who asks for help.” [ad-Duha 93:10]
Furthermore, the Prophet peace be upon him taught us, “Allah helps His slave as long as he helps his brother.” (Muslim) What a great principle to live by! Believing in this and acting upon it prevents miserliness and stinginess. It limits greed, and teaches the believer to be generous whether with his time, effort or wealth.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “A man said: I shall certainly give charity. He went out with his charity and placed it in the hand of a thief. The next morning, they said: He gave charity to a thief. He said: O Allah, praise be to You; I shall certainly give charity (again). He went out with his charity and placed it in the hands of a prostitute. The next morning they said: Last night he gave charity to a prostitute. He said: O Allah, praise be to You for a prostitute. I shall certainly give charity (again).’ He went out with his charity and placed it in the hand of a rich man. The next morning, they said, Last night he gave charity to a rich man. He said: O Allah, to You be praise for a thief, a prostitute and a rich man. It was said to him: As for what you gave in charity to a thief, perhaps it will be the cause of his refraining from stealing; as for the prostitute, perhaps it will be the cause of her refraining from fornication; and as for the rich man, perhaps he will learn a lesson and spend from that which Allah has given him.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
If a person gives to one who is seemingly undeserving thinking that he is in need of it, he will still have his reward, for his actions is based on his intention, and he genuinely thought that person was in need, even if he later learns that he was not. His action is accepted and he will be rewarded, but as for the one who takes without need, then he needs to ponder upon the warnings issued by the messenger, and think twice before he takes or asks.