Zakaat - Rules and modern issues

Directives for those receiving Zakaat

The Shariah has insisted that the person who is capable enough shouldn’t beg.  The person who can earn his own livelihood shouldn’t stretch out a hand.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has warned the person who begs in spite of being capable of earning a living.  This is to ensure that people like them stop begging and the rights due to the poor aren’t trampled upon.  There is a Hadith in Jame’ Tirmidhi:

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Hubshi bin Junada (May Allah be well pleased with him) Salvili (May Allah be well pleased with him), he says:  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  It is not permissible for an affluent person or a person with a whole body, except for those who are dirt poor or facing an extremely pressing need.  The person who begs of people to increase his (or her) wealth, then on the Day of Judgment, this begging will be expressed in the form of scratches on the face and in the form of embers from hell which that person will eat.  So, any body who wants to may increase or decrease (this punishment).  (Jame’ Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 655)