Read Unpretentiousness in Islam 1
There are people who behave so unassumingly that they never reveal their living conditions, however modest these may be. Such people are actually wise enough to think of preserving their dignity, and too proud to ever ask anyone for assistance; they are so full of faith that they seek no one’s support but Allah’s.
There are people who behave so unassumingly that they never reveal their living conditions, however modest these may be. Such people are actually wise enough to think of preserving their dignity, and too proud to ever ask anyone for assistance; they are so full of faith that they seek no one’s support but Allah’s.
Obviously, there are so many advantages to such an attitude. We can mention a few.
(1) Keeping away from the embarrassment of humiliation by standing firm in the face of deprivation.
(2) Earing the love of Allah and others, as the Prophet Muhammad said, “Allah loves those who, wisely, show discretion in their living, while He dislikes those who, shamelessly, inconvenience others by begging.” In the same context, the Prophet said, “Do not claim what others have; they will love you for that.” (Related by Ibn Majah)
(3) The comfort of feeling no jealousy towards those who are better off, although accustomed to seeing bounties in someone else’s hands. Besides, one lives with a peaceful mind and a clear conscience as we have seen in one of the Prophet’s sayings, namely, “Wealth is not the display of possessions, but the safeguard of one’s dignity.”
(4) The urge to go out looking for work and a lawful means of earning a decent living, so as to keep one’s dignity intact, and to serve one’s community and country honourably.
Islam looks favourably upon those who show discretion in their mode of living. Islam allows no one to bow down to the humiliating habit of begging. The Prophet Muhammad said, “Allah love His poor worshipper who, in full discretion, concerns himself with his dependents.” (Related by Majah and Tabarani)
It is such a kind of people among the needy whom Islam cares really for, urging the community to give them priority over those who go around begging shamelessly.
Even giving to such people should be done as discreetly as possible for the sake of their own dignity. Givers should never boast their charitable acts, as they should always assume their gifts to be below the needs of the recipients; under no circumstances should they give out of things they themselves find unsuitable. Allah Almighty says in this respect, “Do not use unwholesome things in your charitable work, while you yourselves would not accept them without closing your eyes.” (Sura 2: 267)
The Almighty says also, “You will attain the state of (real) virtuousness only after you have spent from things you cherish.” (Sura 3: 92)
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