273- THE CHARITY IS TO BE GIVEN TO THE POOR WHO ARE RESTRAINED IN THE CAUSE OF ALLAH, THEY CAN NOT TRAVEL IN THE LAND, THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW THEM THINK THEM WEALTHY BECAUSE OF BEING UNWILLING TO BEG, YOU KNOW THEM BY THEIR LOOKS, THEY DO NOT ASK FOR CHARITY INCESSANTLY, AND WHATEVER GOOD YOU SPEND ALLAH KNOWS IT WELL. 

In this Ayah, Allah the Highest gives us a detailed description of those who deserve charity.  Of course one can be like the above and old or sick or have any thing else, yet these are the characteristics in common.

1-    The poor. 

2-    Who are restrained in the cause of Allah.

3-    They can not travel in the land.

4-    Those who do not know them think them wealthy because of being unwilling to beg.

5-    You know them by their looks.

6-    They do not ask for charity incessantly.

Historical background:

Many of the Muslims migrating from Makah to Medina were very poor as they had to leave most of their property behind, and some were poor anyway.  They lived on very little in Medina.  The Ansar who were the people of Medina were generous to them, but they also had limited means.  Those poor people tried to do any work they can to earn money, but they had little means to trade or to travel for trading, they were known, yet they would not beg or ask any one for help incessantly.

Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “The poor is not the person who goes around to be satisfied with a date or two, one or two pieces of bread, but the poor is the who does not have enough for his needs, is not notice to be given charity and does not ask people for anything” (A: 1; 384 & D: Zakah; 34 & N: Zakah; 76)

People in need, who do their best to earn their living but can not because of circumstances, illness, old age, or any other reason including debt should be helped by charity.  They do not trouble people by frequent demands, and they do not go around begging.  They try to keep their need not known to every one, but one can see their poverty in their looks, cloths, health etc. 

The poor is not necessarily penniless, they may have little money that is not enough for their and their families needs.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “He who asks for charity claiming that he is in needs, on the Day of Resurrection his begging will show as a bruise on his face”.  The Muslims said: “Allah’s messenger; how much money makes a person not in need?”  He said: “Fifty Dirham (silver coin) or the equivalent in gold”.  (T: Zakah; 22 & N: Zakah; 87 & A: 1; 388)

A person who fell on hard times after being rich and who has debt he can not pay may be given charity or Zakah.  Abu Saed El Khodari reported: “A man made a loss on fruit he bought at the time of Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him.  His debt went on increasing.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him told us: “Give him Sadaqah (Charity)” People gave him charity but it was not enough to repay his debt.  Then Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said to his debtors: “Take what you find with him, and only take that”.  (M: Mosaqah; 18 & T: Zakah; 24)

Allah the Highest knows well all we do and what do it for and we will be recompensed in full, in this life and in the Hereafter.

B: Bukhari   M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   A: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

Da: Daremy   Ma: Ibn Magah                   N: Nesae      T: Termezi