BENEFIT 343: The difference between prohibited begging, good intercession, and encouragement of charity

Question: During the blessed month of Ramaḍhān, we observe many Hizbees exploiting this sacred time for begging under the pretext of inviting to Islam and expanding masājid. They often mislead people by citing religious texts that encourage charity and good intercession. Could you clarify the differences between these three concepts: prohibited begging, good intercession, and encouragement of charity? Sheikh Najeeb Ash-Shar’abi ḥafidhahullāh answered: ▪️Encouragement of charity involves motivating people to give by citing evidence from the Qur'ān and Sunnah. It is not directed at a specific individual for a particular case but rather a general exhortation, such as urging people to give charity. ▪️Good intercession, on the other hand, is directed toward a specific individual on behalf of another person or a particular entity, advocating for a designated cause. ▪️Prohibited begging occurs when a person asks for financial assistance for themselves without necessity. Begging is forbidden, as the Prophet ﷺ said in an authentic hadith reported by Ibn ’Umar (may Allāh be pleased with them both): "A man will continue asking people for money until he meets Allāh (on the Day of Judgment) with no flesh left on his face." [Bukhari and Muslim] Additionally, Abu Huraira (may Allāh be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever begs from people to increase his wealth is merely collecting burning embers. Let him take more or less as he wishes." [Muslim] In another narration, Qabeesah (may Allāh be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said to him: "O Qabeesah, asking for money is not permissible except in three cases: (1) a man who bears a financial burden on behalf of others—he is permitted to ask until he repays it and then must stop; (2) a man afflicted by a calamity that has destroyed his wealth—he may ask until he attains sustenance; and (3) a man struck by severe poverty, confirmed by three knowledgeable individuals of his community—he may ask until he attains sufficient livelihood. Any other form of begging is unlawful, and the one who engages in it consumes prohibited wealth." [Muslim] Thus, these three concepts are distinct. Prohibited begging is forbidden, as evidenced by the aforementioned hadiths. Encouraging charity is a praiseworthy act and is encouraged by numerous texts from the Qur'ān and Sunnah. Similarly, good intercession is also encouraged, as Allāh says in the Qur'ān: "Whoever intercedes for a good cause will have a share in it, and whoever intercedes for an evil cause will share in its burden. And Allāh maintains control over all things." [Surah An-Nisa: 85] Furthermore, Abu Musa (may Allāh be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Intercede, and you will be rewarded, and Allāh will decree through His Prophet whatever He wills." [Bukhari and Muslim] In another narration in Muslim, it is mentioned that when someone in need came to the Prophet ﷺ, he would say: "Intercede, and you will be rewarded." Good intercession is a form of mediation, whether to bring about a benefit or to prevent harm. An example of this is an incident narrated by Jareer ibn Abdillah (may Allāh be pleased with him): "We were with the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ one morning when a group of poor, barefoot, and scantily dressed people from the tribe of Muḍhar came. Upon seeing their distress, the Prophet's face changed. He instructed Bilal to call for prayer, then he addressed the people, encouraging them to give charity, saying: 'A man should give in charity from his gold, silver, clothes, wheat, dates—even if it is only half a date.' Then a man from the Anṣār brought a large amount, and others followed until food and clothes were piled up. The Prophet's face lit up with joy, and he said: 'Whoever initiates a good practice in Islam will have its reward and the reward of those who follow it without decreasing their rewards in the slightest.