Difference between al-Faqeer and al-Miskeen
بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد
[Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen, pg. 421]
Allaah تعالى says:
{As-Sadaqaat (here it
means Zakaah - obligatory charity) are only for the Fuqaraa’ (needy), and
Al-Masaakeen (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to
attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islaam); and to
free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allaah’s Cause (i.e. for Mujaahidoon
– those fighting in a holy battle), and for the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut
off from everything); (paying the Zakaah is) a duty imposed by Allaah. And
Allaah is All-Knower, All-Wise.} [Surah al-Tawbah (9):60]
Shaikh Muhammad ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:
Al-Fuqaraa’ (the needy) and al-Masaakeen (the poor) are
the people who cannot find enough to suffice themselves and their families for
a period of one year. For example: A person is employed with a monthly salary
of Riyaal 4,000, but he has a family whose expenses are Riyaal 6,000 – this type of a person will
be classified as Faqeer (needy), because he does not have that which suffices
his expenses. So we give him Riyaal 24,000 (2,000*12) from the Zakaah in order
to pay for his expenses.
So if someone says: Who is in the greater need, the
Faqeer or the Miskeen? The scholars have said: We begin with the most important
one (we go according to the priority as mentioned in the Aayah), and Allaah تعالى began with
the Faqeer (the needy), so the Faqeer is the one who is in a greater need than
the Miskeen.
--end of quote
*******
From Tafseer of Ibn Katheer رحمه الله on the
aforementioned Aayah:
Allaah تعالى mentioned the expenditures of Zakaah in
this Aayah, starting with the Fuqaraa’
because they have more need than the other categories, since their need
is pressing and precarious. It was reported that Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما,
Mujaahid, Al-Hasan Al-Basree, Ibn Zayd and several others said that the Faqeer
is a graceful person who does not ask anyone for anything, while the Miskeen is
the one who follows after people, begging. Qataadah said: “The Faqeer is the
ill person, while the Miskeen is physically fit.”
*The
Fuqaraa’ (needy):
Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما said that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“The alms should not be given to the wealthy and the physically
fit.”
[Sunan Abu Dawood (1634), Tirmidhee (652), Ibn Maajah (1839),
al-Nasa’ee (2597) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]
*The Masaakeen (poor):
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“The Miskeen (poor) person
is not the one who goes round the people and ask them for a mouthful or two (of
meals) or a date or two but the poor is that who has not enough (money) to
satisfy his needs and whose condition is not known to others, that others may
give him something in charity, and who does not beg of people.”
[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1479) and Saheeh Muslim (1729)]
--end of quote
*******
Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله:
Difference between al-Miskeen and al-Faqeer
Question: What is
the definition of Al-Miskeen to whom Zakaah should be given and what is the
difference between him and Al-Faqeer?
Answer: al-Miskeen
is the poor person who can barely find enough to suffice himself, but al-Faqeer
is in a greater need than al-Miskeen. Both are from the eight categories of
Zakaah recipients which were mentioned in the following Aayah (Qur'anic verse):
{As-Sadaqât (here it means Zakât ) are only for
the Fuqarâ’ (poor), and the Masâkin (needy) and those employed to collect (the
funds)}. A person is not considered poor or needy if his income
covers their needs; food, beverages, clothes, and lodging. Hence, if this is
the case, then it is not permissible to pay Zakaah to such persons.
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