Aslam

IN WHICH CASES BEGGING IS LAWFUL? There are three conditions of a beggar -(1) to believe that he is giving with a satisfied mind, (2) To believe that he is giving with a dissatisfied mind. (3) in the third case, there is doubt whether he is giving with a satisfied mind or dissatisfied mind, In the first case, taking charity is lawful and in the second case it is unlawful. In the third case it is doubtful whether it is lawful or unlawful. At this time of doubt, he must ask his conscience. The Prophet said: Whatever raises doubt in mind, leave it and whatever does not raise doubtin mind, accept it. The Prophet said : To eat out of own's own earnings is most pure. He also said : He who begs having riches begs of burning charcoal. Let him seek little or more of it.
This is a clear Hadis prohibiting beggary. The Prophet said :
Don't be greedly to seek the riches of others possessing something given by God. The companions asked : What is its amount? He said : Morning food and night food, In another tradition : He who begs having 50 or 40 dirhams or gold equivalant to is value begs importunately. In this connection we shall have to remember that the Prophet said : The son of Adam has got no right except in three things — (1) such a quantity of food as can keep his backbone erect, (2) such a quantity of cloth as can keep his private parts concealed (3) and such a house as can protect him. Beyond these things, he shall have to ren for account. This is the basis of necessity having regard to kind, quantity and time (1) Kind. Whatever is necessary for himself and his family members and whatever animal he possesses are included within this class. (2)Quantity. Regarding the quantity of cloth necessary for a religious man, it is one piece of wearing cloth, one shirt, one piece of hand kerchief and one piece of trouser. What is more than one piece is not necessary. Household untensils and furnitures are also likewise. Regarding daily quantity of food it is one and a half poa. Take what is necessary

166 THE BOOK OF CONSTRUCTIVE VIRTUES Vol-IV

for bare livelihood. Enjoyment of curries is additional. There should be no grandeur in house. Want is what a man lacks in his food for one day and one night, a house for his protection and a cloth for his wearing.

There are three stages of begging for future — (1) begging for the necessaries of tomorrow, (2) begging necessary things for 40 or 50 days (3) and begging of the necessary things for one year. If one possesses food for himself and family members for for one year, begging is unlawful. For this reason, the tradition says that he who possesses 50 dirhams is rich, as 50 dirhams are sufficient for a man for a year.