Answered by Shaykh Amjad Rasheed
Translated by Wajihah Gregor
It is permissible to give beggars in the Western countries money if it is obvious that they are genuinely invalid, while it appears that others are capable of working and only beg for the purpose of purchasing cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs? How must a Muslim handle these situations, knowing that giving them money only discourages them from improving their situation by finding a job?
(1) Our Imam have explicitly said that it is permissible for a Muslim to give charity to people whether they are rich or poor, Muslim or non-Muslim. However, it is impermissible for someone wealthy or able to work to ask people for money.
(2) If the one giving charity knows or deems it most probable that the beggar will use the charity for impermissible things, it is impermissible for him to give it to him.