The Prohibition of Begging in Islamic Law

Devin Halim Wijaya27 April 2025

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In Islam begging and panhandling are strictly forbidden unless there is an actual need. Islam emphasizes independence dignity preservation and the value of hard work. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ cautioned against begging on numerous occasions likening it to facial disfigurement caused by wounds. Begging is frequently viewed in contemporary society as a simple way to get out of financial difficulties. Islam on the other hand emphasizes diligence and faith in Allah ﷻ providing a different viewpoint. Based on Quranic verses and genuine Hadith this article will thoroughly explain Islamic prohibitions against begging and how Islam stance of it.

Also read:The Role of Sustenance and Wealth in Da’wah

The Islamic law on begging

Islam strictly forbids persistent begging. As stated by the Prophet ﷺ:

مَا زَالَ الرَّجُلُ يَسْأَلُ النَّاسَ، حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ لَيْسَ فِيْ وَجْهِهِ مُزْعَةُ لَحْمٍ

a person who keeps begging from others, until the Day of Resurrection come and there is no flesh on his face. (Narrated by Al-Bukhâri:1474) and Muslim:1040).

In the Hereafter begging will appear very badly as this hadith illustrates, this shows that begging is a serious sin deserves it’s own punishment. In a different hadith the Prophet ﷺ said:

مَنْ سَأَلَ مِنْ غَيْرِ فَقْرٍ فَكَأَنَّمَا يَأْكُلُ الْجَمْرَ

Whoever begs from others without a need, it is as if he is eating burning coals (Narrated by Ahmad: IV/165).

Again this hadith really showed a bad consecuences of begging in Islamic view.

Nonetheless Islam allows for exceptions in cases of true need. This is what the Prophet ﷺ said in that matter:

يَا قَبِيْصَةُ، إِنَّ الْـمَسْأَلَةَ لَا تَحِلُّ إِلَّا لِأَحَدِ ثَلَاثَةٍ : رَجُلٍ تَحَمَّلَ حَمَالَةً فَحَلَّتْ لَهُ الْـمَسْأَلَةُ حَتَّى يُصِيْبَهَا ثُمَّ يُمْسِكُ، وَرَجُلٍ أَصَابَتْهُ جَائِحَةٌ اجْتَاحَتْ مَالَهُ فَحَلَّتْ لَهُ الْـمَسْأَلَةُ حَتَّى يُصِيْبَ قِوَامًا مِنْ عَيْشٍ –أَوْ قَالَ : سِدَادً مِنْ عَيْشٍ- وَرَجُلٍ أَصَابَتْهُ فَاقَةٌ حَتَّى يَقُوْمَ ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنْ ذَوِي الْحِجَا مِنْ قَوْمِهِ : لَقَدْ أَصَابَتْ فُلَانًا فَاقَةٌ ، فَحَلَّتْ لَهُ الْـمَسْأَلَةُ حَتَّى يُصِيْبَ قِوَامًا مِنْ عَيْش ٍ، –أَوْ قَالَ : سِدَادً مِنْ عَيْشٍ- فَمَا سِوَاهُنَّ مِنَ الْـمَسْأَلَةِ يَا قَبِيْصَةُ ، سُحْتًا يَأْكُلُهَا صَاحِبُهَا سُحْتًا.

“O Qabiishah! Indeed begging is not lawful, except for one of three people: (1) a person who has incurred the debt of another, he may beg until he pays it off, then stop, (2) a person who has been afflicted with a calamity that depletes his wealth, he may beg until he finds rest, and (3) a person who has been afflicted with a hardship of life so that three reasonable men from his people say, “So-and-so has been afflicted with a hardship of life,” he may beg until he finds rest.” (3) a person who has been afflicted with a hardship of life so that three reasonable men from his people say, “So-and-so has been afflicted with a hardship of life,” he may beg until he finds rest. Begging other than for these three things, O Qabishah! It is haram, and the one who eats it is eating the haram” (Narrated by Muslim:1044 and Abu Dawud:1640).

These exclusions demonstrate Islams well-rounded approach which acknowledges true need while prohibiting the misuse of this bad habit.

Also read:Patience and Giving up: Two Different Concepts Often Misunderstood

The negative effects associated with begging

The negative effects of begging are numerous and include both material and spiritual ones including:

Loss of dignity and self-respect: Begging reduces one to the mercy of others whereas Islam teaches upholding ones dignity via hard work.

Reducing the blessings of sustenance: Money earned by begging is not blessed. That simply because that money earned by begging is earned by unlawful way in Islamic law. If someone is able to work but decides to beg instead their money will not add any additional positives for them as they will not improve themselves nor they add any benefit to the society.

When not required it becomes sinful: Islam takes the idea of needless begging very seriously. The previous hadiths listed in this article show that the needless begging or begging for somebody who can work is a serious sin deserves it’s own punishment in the hereafter.

Also read:How to Perform Da’wah in the Workplace?

Muslim Ways to Prevent Begging

There are useful alternatives to begging in Islam:

Lawfully working and earning money: Honest labor was valued by Islam as stated by the Prophet ﷺ:

لَأَنْ يَحْتَطِبَ أَحَدُكُمْ حُزْمَةً عَلَى ظَهْرِهِ خَيْرٌ لَهُ مِنْ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ أَحَدًا فَيُعْطِيَهُ أَوْ يَمْنَعَهُ

‘Indeed, if one of you takes a rope and goes to the mountain (to look for firewood), then he comes back carrying a bundle of firewood on his back and sells it, this is better than him begging people, whether he is given or refused.’ (Narrated by Bukhari:1402 and Muslim:1044)

Even a small legal job is more honorable than begging.

Faithful to Allah ﷻ: Reliance on Allah ﷻ is taught in Islam. Allah ﷻ would provide for you just as He provides for birds who depart hungry in the morning and return full in the evening if you trusted Him as He deserves . It is our responsibility to seek out the provision that Allah ﷻ promises.

Taking gifts without requesting them: Islam accepts assistance or gift but it forbids asking for it needlessly.

Also read:The Ethics of a Moslem Professional: Honoring Work Hours

In conclusion

In Islam begging is forbidden unless there is an actual need specified by hadith. It diminishes blessings, erodes dignity and can lead to sin. Islam teaches people to be self-sufficient by working legally, being patient and having faith in Allah ﷻ. Muslims uphold their honor and responsibly meet their needs by adhering to these principles. Hopefully we can be a honourable muslims that work for our needs and not begging others for it.