Should one give money to beggars? Some of my friends insist that money should not be given to these so called needy beggars in our society. My question is: How are we to decide who is needy and who is not? In some cases it may be evident but in others it is not. What is the right thing to do?

Professional beggars have become a real nuisance in our societies. More so because they obstruct money from going to deserved individuals.

There is no ruling found in this regard in the Sharī`ah. It is a person's on the spot decision about giving to a beggar which sometimes may be right and at other times wrong. It is certainly very difficult to judge a beggar in such a short period of time.

A person should, however, keep in mind two things in this regard:

i) Even if a person is mistaken in his judgement and he gives some money to a beggar who is not deserving, his reward is secure with Allah.

ii) If a person must refuse a beggar, he must not scold him; the refusal should be polite.