There is a Chinese proverb that says, “Don’t give someone a fish, but teach them how to fish.” This ensures not just one day of sustenance, but provides them with a means to earn their livelihood permanently, allowing them to stand on their own feet.
If we look at this proverb from a realistic perspective, it aligns closely with Islam, and it reflects the highest form of charity. Islam places great emphasis on the giving hand over the receiving one. However, when we observe our society, we see that people are being deliberately turned into dependents. Large non-governmental organizations are feeding people on the streets, which not only degrades humanity but also destroys what little self-respect these individuals may have left. These actions, both by the government and non-government entities, are pushing people toward a loss of dignity. The government is complicit because such activities cannot occur without its approval.
Currently, visas for Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. One reason is that they are fed up with the beggars we send in large numbers every year. Another issue is that most crimes in these regions, directly or indirectly, involve Pakistanis. The authorities are tired of dealing with these cases and now seek to close the doors altogether.
We were not always like this; we were steered onto this path by others. They worked hard to achieve this, but because we, as a nation, were unwilling to work hard, it wasn’t difficult for them to succeed. A recent social media post illustrates this comparison: millions of women in Bangladesh are employed in the textile and garment industry, while millions of women in Pakistan rely on the Benazir Income Support Program. Which program is better? I’ll leave that for you to decide.
The Benazir Income Support Program was launched in 2008. Has it reduced poverty? Or has the number of registered women continued to grow? The woman who works in our home is part of the program, and whenever she goes to the bank to collect the money, she takes the day off. My wife is upset about her frequent absences, which affects us too. I suggested that my wife explain to her that since she has grown sons, she should no longer rely on this aid. Free money or food can be a burden once consumed, but we failed to convince her. Had the money from this program been used to set up industries since 2008, perhaps we would have seen some reduction in poverty. Some people might have missed out on becoming wealthy. Who are these people—the aid recipients or the donors? We all know the answer.
In an anti-Pakistan Hindi film, a scene shows a character, who is a Hindu, giving alms to one beggar while scolding another for begging, urging him to work and earn an honest living. The character’s companion, also a Hindu, points out that the person they helped was Muslim, while the one they scolded was Hindu. The character responds that he knows and wants the Muslim to remain a beggar forever, as it doesn’t suit a Hindu to beg. Now, you can decide whether those who encourage free meals are our friends and well-wishers or enemies of our dignity and self-respect. In this country, when our leaders make speeches saying, “You may think I’ve come to beg, but what can I do, I’m forced to,” the disgrace becomes not just individual but national.
In contrast, Islam never condoned begging in any form, emphasizing earning a lawful livelihood. Unfortunately, we have turned away from Islamic teachings in every aspect of life, and both individually and collectively, have made begging our national characteristic. This is why we have no respect on the international stage today. Here’s a story to conclude.
Once, an Ansari came to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and complained of poverty. The Prophet asked, “Do you have anything at home?” The man replied, “A blanket and a bowl.” The Prophet instructed him to bring these items. He auctioned them for two dirhams, instructing the man to use one dirham to buy food for his family and the other to buy an axe. The Prophet himself fixed a handle on the axe and told the man to go chop wood and return after fifteen days. When the man returned, he had earned ten dirhams. The Prophet then told him to buy food and clothes for his family, adding, “It is better for you to earn a living than to appear on the Day of Judgment with the stain of begging on your face.”
Begging is not permitted, except for those in extreme need, those burdened by debt, or in matters of blood. So, what should be our individual or collective approach in such situations? Should we, in any way, encourage or facilitate begging? Or should we condemn it strongly? The decision is yours.