Hadith Text

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The poor person is not the one who asks a morsel or two (of meals) from the others, but the poor is the one who has nothing and is ashamed to beg from others."

Source Reference

Sahih al-Bukhari 1476 - Book: Obligatory Charity Tax (Zakat)

Scholarly Commentary

This profound hadith redefines the concept of poverty in Islam, distinguishing between outward appearance and true need. The Prophet (ﷺ) clarifies that true poverty is not merely about asking for small amounts of food, but rather encompasses those who suffer in silence due to their dignity and self-respect.

The scholars explain that this teaching emphasizes the importance of proactively seeking out and assisting those who are too modest to display their poverty. Such individuals, despite their genuine need, maintain their honor by not begging, making them particularly deserving of zakat and charity.

This hadith serves as a crucial guidance for zakat distributors and charitable organizations, reminding them to look beyond obvious beggars and identify those hidden poor who maintain their dignity despite their desperate circumstances.

Legal Implications

According to Islamic jurisprudence, this hadith establishes that the "fuqara" (poor) eligible for zakat include not only those who openly beg, but more importantly, those who conceal their poverty out of modesty.

Scholars derive from this that Muslims have a collective responsibility to identify and assist such individuals, making their condition a priority in charitable distribution.