Understanding The Prophet's Life
From Issue: 571 [Read full issue]
The Better Hand
Islam does not approve of begging either on the individual or the national level. Bukhari, Muslim, and Ahmad ibn Hanbal record that God's Messenger, peace be upon him, said: "The upper hand is better than the lower one." In another hadith, God's Messenger explains that the upper hand gives to the poor and needy, while the lower hand takes from others. So, besides expressing the merits of charity, this hadith encourages people to work and earn their living.
A subtle point: God's Messenger did not say the one who gives and the one who receives. Instead, he said the upper hand and the lower hand. This indicates that the act, not the person, is generally preferable. As a result, the recipient may sometimes be better than the giver.
For example, God's Messenger advised Thawban not to beg. As a result, he would not even ask someone to pick up a whip he dropped while riding his camel. So, when seemingly "poor" believers of this quality receive from people, it cannot be said that they are inferior to those who give.
Compiled From:
"The Messenger of God: Muhammad" - Fethullah Gulen, p. 107