BENEFIT 344: As charity organisations increase, so too the number of poor people...Ajeeb!

Abu Ēsa Ali Al-Afari hafidahullah said: "Did Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal introduce it (i.e. Charity Organisations)? Did Imam Muhammad ibn Idris Ash-Shafi'ee, Imam Malik ibn Anas, or Imam Abu Hanifa before him? Likewise, the scholars and leaders before them followed the same approach (i.e. They didn't have charity organisations). Abu Bakr had wealth, yet he did not establish a charity organisation. Uthman had wealth, yet he did not establish one. Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf had wealth, yet he did not establish one. These individuals did not establish such organisations—do you understand? So, when one claims that this is part of Salafiyyah and that whoever establishes it he is such and such...Throughout the centuries for the past 1,400 years, we must recognise that Muslims did not think in this way. Instead, they supported one another directly—They would give when leaving the masjid, upon entering their homes, while dining, at the market, and even as they earned their livelihood, always supporting those in need. Today, however, the poor are turned away at the door and told to seek help from charity organisations. The wealth that was once freely given has now been taken by these organisations. Is this not the case? This is why the number of poor people has increased—because (the self appointed) عاملين عليها (i.e. those managing these organisations) are essentially operating like 24-hour ATMs.