MubarekMuslimah
Junior Member
Salaams brothers and sister
I have a question about begging. Maybe those in the UK will know what I mean. I get the tube ( train) everyday to and from work. Sometimes on my tube train there is a woman who passes from carriage to begging for change. She is dressed as a muslimah( long skirt and headscarf) though her headscarf is half way back on her head and tied under the chin. She begs for money going to each person in turn showing a bit of cardboard with something written on it I cant understand. She speak little or no English.
Anyway when she approached me she said "please sister" but I honestly had no change so I couldnt give her anything. I have seen her twice now and I dont know whether to give her money ( if I have it)
I know that we must give in charity and help the poor, I know the great importance of this. But I am a bit confused about something - I thought begging was haraam?? I am not certain she is muslim definatly or that she may only be muslim culturally. Her clothes and appearance are not one of someone who is poor - she is healthy looking and her clothes look quite new and clean. The reason I am skeptical of her is because in London there are a lot of 'gangs' of people who beg on the Trains and buses and who are con artists and not poor at all and they often dress like this - as eastern european ror efugees etc and they hassle people, like she does, I have seen her annoy people even when they have clearly said no.
I know I shouldnt doubt her sincerity but I am confused on the begging issue - if I give her money am I not then encouraging her to carry on begging, even though it is haraam?? But then if she needs it..... In the UK we have benefits system for those who need it - housing, health, money - its all given to you from the country's taxes if you are poor. There is no need to beg in theory because she can be provided what she needs by the system- and as a woman she would get high priority - in the UK its very easy.
So....do I give her money regardless of all this? Or not? Or only sometimes?? I don't know. WOuldnt it be better to give to some kind of charity to help people like her?? I cant speak to her about this because she doesnt seem to speak English.
Or am I just being mean?? May Allah swt forgive me for all my bad thoughts:astag: .
Any advice please?:shymuslima1:
Jazak'allah
Salaams
I have a question about begging. Maybe those in the UK will know what I mean. I get the tube ( train) everyday to and from work. Sometimes on my tube train there is a woman who passes from carriage to begging for change. She is dressed as a muslimah( long skirt and headscarf) though her headscarf is half way back on her head and tied under the chin. She begs for money going to each person in turn showing a bit of cardboard with something written on it I cant understand. She speak little or no English.
Anyway when she approached me she said "please sister" but I honestly had no change so I couldnt give her anything. I have seen her twice now and I dont know whether to give her money ( if I have it)
I know that we must give in charity and help the poor, I know the great importance of this. But I am a bit confused about something - I thought begging was haraam?? I am not certain she is muslim definatly or that she may only be muslim culturally. Her clothes and appearance are not one of someone who is poor - she is healthy looking and her clothes look quite new and clean. The reason I am skeptical of her is because in London there are a lot of 'gangs' of people who beg on the Trains and buses and who are con artists and not poor at all and they often dress like this - as eastern european ror efugees etc and they hassle people, like she does, I have seen her annoy people even when they have clearly said no.
I know I shouldnt doubt her sincerity but I am confused on the begging issue - if I give her money am I not then encouraging her to carry on begging, even though it is haraam?? But then if she needs it..... In the UK we have benefits system for those who need it - housing, health, money - its all given to you from the country's taxes if you are poor. There is no need to beg in theory because she can be provided what she needs by the system- and as a woman she would get high priority - in the UK its very easy.
So....do I give her money regardless of all this? Or not? Or only sometimes?? I don't know. WOuldnt it be better to give to some kind of charity to help people like her?? I cant speak to her about this because she doesnt seem to speak English.
Or am I just being mean?? May Allah swt forgive me for all my bad thoughts:astag: .
Any advice please?:shymuslima1:
Jazak'allah
Salaams