Hadhrat Junaid Baghdadi (Rahmatullahi Alaihi)’s Doubt regarding a certain Person

On one occasion, Hadhrat Junaid (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) had seen a strong, well built man begging outside the Musjid. Having seen this, Hadhrat Junaid (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) disapproved of his begging and within his heart entertained doubts regarding the man. That night he had seen in a dream that he was being instructed to consume the flesh of a corpse.  Hadhrat Junaid (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) in the dream refused to consume the meat of the dead corpse, saying that this was haraam and forbidden in Islam. Thereupon he was told by the one instructing him to eat of the dead corpse, that when you had made gheebat of that person, did you not do the same (i.e. consume the flesh of your brother)?” Hadhrat Junaid (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) was surprised and realised that this was a Divine correction from the side of Allah Ta’ala.

Upon awakening, he immediately set out in search of that person to seek forgiveness for entertaining evil thoughts regarding him. Upon seeing Hadhrat Junaid (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) approaching, the strong and well built man, who in reality was a friend of Allah Ta’ala, sighed and recited the following verse:

وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِ ﴿الشورى: ٢٥﴾

and He (Allah) is the only one that accepts the taubah of His servants. (Jawaahir Paare)

Note: From the above incident we understand that it is not permissible for anyone to look down and despise another person, as he is unaware of the latter’s inner condition. The person in the story outwardly seemed unfit for begging since he was strong and well-built. However, his inner condition (of extreme and abject poverty which was unknown to Junaid Baghdaadi (Rahmatullahi Alaihi)) allowed him to beg according to Shariah.

عن حسين بن على قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: للسائل حق وإن جاء على فرس (ابو داود رقم 1667)

Hadhrat Husain bin Ali (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “The beggar has a right, even though he comes to you riding on a horse.”  (i.e. In our context, the meaning of the Hadith is, that if a beggar comes driving in a car, we should try and render assistance to him due to him undergoing financial constraints and extreme poverty).

Q: In mufti sahebs opinion, should one give beggars on the roadside small change? We hear some people saying this is actually encouraging begging more, but some say it's good.

A: If one feels that the one begging is in need and in difficulty, then one may assist him. However if one has knowledge regarding a certain beggar that he has made begging his profession, then one should refrain from supporting such a person in his wrong.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

حدثنا محمد بن كثير أخبرنا سفيان حدثنا مصعب بن محمد بن شرحبيل حدثنى يعلى بن أبى يحيى عن فاطمة بنت حسين عن حسين بن على قال قال رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- « للسائل حق وإن جاء على فرس  (أبو داود #1667)

يعني إذا سئل سائل أحدا ينبغي له أن يحسن الظن به وإن جاء على فرس فإنه يمكن أن يحتاج إلى ركوب الفرس ومع ذلك يلجئه الحاجة إلى السؤال ويكون له عائلة أو يكون تحمل حمالة فلا يسئ الظن به ، وهذا لعله باعتبار القرون الأولى ، وأما في هذا الزمان فنشاهد كثيرا من الناس اتخذوا السؤال حرفة لهم ولهم فضول أموال ، فحينئذ يحرم لهم السؤال ويحرم على الناس إعطائهم ، والله أعلم (بذل المجهود 3/54)