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Giving money to beggars suspected of being false

Answered as per Shafi'i Fiqh by Qibla.com

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?

Answer:
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

(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.

الجواب : يجوز للمسلم إعطاء صدقته للغني والفقير مسلماً كان أو كافراً كما صرح به أئمتنا، لكن يحرم على الغني أو القادر على الكسب أن يسأل الناس المال. وإذا علم المتصدقُ أو غلب على ظنه أن السائل يصرف مالَ الصدقة في محرَّم حَرُمَ عليه إعطاؤه.

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