Giving food of expiation to beggars

2-11-2016 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalaamu alaykum. In the previous question, you said that we can give the food (for breaking a vow) to 10 beggars. However, in the Quran and a hadith, the Miskeen (the poor and needy person) is described as the one who is in need but who does not show it to other people and of whom people may think that he is well off. So how can beggars fit into this punishment for breaking a vow? May Allaah reward you.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

The Miskeen is of two kinds: A kind who does not show his need and poverty; rather, he graciously refrains from begging people for money. This kind is worthier of the financial help of the rich and that they help him meet his needs. The second kind shows his need for money and asks people for it. This second kind is also eligible to receive Zakah, charity, expiations (for breaking a vow), and the like on the condition that you most likely believe that he really is from those who deserve to be given. Allaah Almighty mentioned this kind in the Quran and clarified that he has a known right in the money of the wealthy: {And those within whose wealth is a known right for the beggar and the destitute.} [Quran 70:24-25]

What you mentioned, that the Miskeen in the Quran and Sunnah is only that who does not show his need to other people is absolutely incorrect. The answer that we gave you before, that it is permissible to give charity to beggars if it is believed that they are most likely honest, is correct without any trace of doubt.

Allaah knows best.