Is there a difference between soliciting donations and begging? I ask because I know begging is prohibited unless there is a dire need and only as a last resort.
For example, would it be wrong for an organization 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, lets say I'm a worthy recipient of zakat or charity, like someone who is totally devoted to studying Islam and therfore not working (included in Fi Sabillillah 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!
Wa alaykum salaam,
Thank you for your question. My teachers do identify a difference between soliciting for money for one’s self and soliciting on behalf of charity for others. Asking for other’s wealth or worldly advantage to benefit one’s self is considered “begging” in Islam and is prohibited except in certain cases. Asking for other’s wealth to benefit worthy people or causes according to the Sacred Law is permissible or recommended as a part of “relieving other’s needs”.
As you mentioned, begging is prohibited in most cases. Allah, Glorious is He, has said: “[Charity is] for the poor who have been restricted for the cause of Allah , unable to move about in the land. An ignorant [person] would think them self-sufficient because of their restraint, but you will know them by their [characteristic] sign. They do not ask people persistently [or at all]. And whatever you spend of good – indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.” (Qur’an 2:273) Our beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, gave us an explanation of this verse when he said: “The poor one is not the one who goes around begging from people and desists when given a morsel or two. The poor one is a person who does not have enough for his sustenance, yet people do not realize that (his needy condition) so as to give him in charity, and he does not ask people (for charity. “(Bukhari) Similarly it is narrated that the companion Abu Sa’id, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “My mother sent me to the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) to ask for help, but when I came to him I sat down. The Prophet faced me & said: ‘Whoever felt satisfied, then Allah will enrich him. Whoever is modest, Allah will make him decent. Whoever is content, then Allah will suffice him. Whoever asks people, while having a small amount, has begged the people.’ I said to myself: ‘I have a camel, al-Yaqutah, & indeed, it is worth more than a small amount.’ And I went back without asking the Prophet for anything.” (Nisa’i & Abu Dawud)
Our Master, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), allowed asking for one’s own benefit in three circumstances, saying: “Begging is permissible only for the following three kinds of people: (1) the one stricken by poverty which causes one ‘to sprawl on the earth’ (extreme poverty), (2) the one in insurmountable debt, and (3) the one who took on blood money in order to reconcile people.” In another narration, there is a fourth condition: “The one who suffers a very painful chronic illness can ask for as much money as he is in need of,” and another narration mentions “a calamity stricken man who loses all his wealth” (Abu Dawud) Extreme poverty means a person lacks the money they need for their daily provision, if a person has what they need for the day, they are not considered among the extremely poor.
Our Master Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Except for these cases, Qubaysah, begging is fire, it is devouring fire.’”(Abu Dawud) Also, “He who begs the property of others to increase his own is asking only for live coals, so let him ask little [or let him] ask much.” (Muslim ) On the other hand, he (pbuh) said: “If anyone guarantees me that he will not beg from people, I will guarantee him paradise” (Abu Dawud), and this is from the meaning of the Fatihah we say every day: “You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.” (Qur’an 1:4)
As for soliciting donations in support a project in the cause of Allah or to support others, Allah, Glorious is He, has said: “Whoever intercedes for a good cause will have a reward therefrom; and whoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a burden therefrom. And ever is Allah , over all things, a Keeper.” (Qur’an 4:85) Our Master, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “None of you truly believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself.” (Bukhari). Further, “The believer to the believer are like bricks in a wall, each reinforcing the other.” (Bukhari) Also, “Whoever removes a hardship among the hardships of this world from a believer, Allah will remove a hardship from him on the Day of Judgement. Whoever brings ease to the one who is in difficulty, Allah will bring him ease in this world and in the Hereafter… Allah is in service to a person as long as they are in service to their brother.” (Muslim)
For that, soliciting donations towards a cause that Allah has praised in the Sacred Law such offering the poor food, water, clothing, shelter, etc., or building a masjid, school, hospital or other beneficial institution will be either permissible or recommended accordingly. That said, there are some restrictions on fundraising activities. First, that the means be licit (halal). For example, raising money by having “bingo night” or dinner that serves non-halal meat, pork or wine would not be a halal means of raising money because it uses forbidden (haram) means. Second, soliciting money should not put pressure on prospective donors or ask so often it becomes an annoyance. It should be distributed in a halal manner that supports the Islamic values and activities and does not harm the cause of Islam or the Muslim community by promoting un-Islamic agendas.
Finally, regarding asking for zakat to study the din, it is the sunnah for a student to work and support themselves, thus not creating a burden on the community. However, it is considered by some of the scholars to be permissible. Some of the conditions they mention are that a person should: (a) ask for it “fi-sabili’llah” (in the path of Allah); (b) be is in dire need, (c) not be so pervasive to become an irritation to the community, (d) not debase themselves to others, (e) not ask to amass wealth.
I pray that this is beneficial. Anything good if from Allah, and anything other than that is from myself, and Allah knows best.