"Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression. And repulse not the beggar.'' (93:9-10)
"Have you seen him who denies the Recompense? That is he who repulses the orphan (harshly). And urges not the feeding of Al-Miskin (the poor)". (107:1-3)
Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "I will be like this in Jannah with the person who takes care of an orphan". Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) raised his forefinger and middle finger by way of illustration.
[Al-Bukhari].
Commentary: It will be indeed a great honour to be close to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in Jannah. This honour will be given to those who are kind to the orphans. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has regarded it the `best house' in which an orphan is treated with kindness. He declared the worst home in which an orphan child is not treated with affection.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "A Miskin (needy) is not the one who can be turned away with a date-fruit or two, or a morsel or two. The true Miskin is one who, despite his poverty, abstains from begging".
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In another narration Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, " A Miskin is not the one who goes round begging from people and who can be turned away with a morsel or two, or a date-fruit or two. A true Miskin is he who does not find enough to suffice him, does not disclose his poverty so that he might be given alms, and does not stand up to beg".
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith throws light on a very important problem relating to beggars who go door to door begging. They are, in fact, not poor because they accumulate a lot of wealth through small amounts which they collect every day. The real needy and poor are those who are not well-to-do, but their appearance and dress hide their poverty. Their self-respect does not permit them to make a request for help. The real purport of this Hadith is that it is the latter category of poor people, with a sense of self-respect, who should be given preference in financial help over the professional beggars because it is they who are really poor.
