Question
Is there a narration that says if you own less than 60 000 you are a pauper?
Answer
You are probably referring to the following narration recorded in Musnadul Firdaws:
Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Wealth/affluence is sixty thousand. Whoever does not own sixty thousand is a pauper.”
(Musnadul Firdaws, Hadith: 4316)
However, ‘Allamah Suyuti (rahimahullah) has cited this narration in his book on fabricated Hadiths. The Hadith is not suitable to quote.
(Dhaylul La-Alil Masnu’ah, vol. 2 pg. 763, Hadith: 953)
The Fuqaha (jurists) have differed with regard to the exact amount that is required to be regarded as wealthy thereby rendering begging impermissible. There a several narrations which mention this. Some narrations stipulate fifty dirhams, others state that if a person has sufficient for two meals for the day, then he is considered ‘wealthy’.
(Refer: Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 155 and 650, Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 1623 and Fathul Bari, before Hadith: 1476)
Kindly refer to a Mufti/Darul Ifta for further clarification.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar