AZE.US
Whether people should give money to beggars remains a frequent subject of debate in Azerbaijan.
Some argue that street begging has become a profession for certain individuals and that giving them money only encourages the practice. Others believe helping people in need is both a moral and religious duty.
Islamic scholar Samid Guliyev told Musavat.com that Islam regards compassion, mutual support and assistance to those in need as among its most important moral values.
He noted that the Quran repeatedly calls on believers to help the poor and vulnerable. He also referred to a verse from Surah Ad-Duha that instructs people not to turn away those who ask for help.
According to Guliyev, the verse requires people to treat beggars with dignity, avoid humiliating them and respond respectfully. However, it does not mean that everyone asking for money on the street must automatically receive cash.
“Islam encourages charity to be practiced with wisdom and responsibility,” he said. “The goal is not simply to hand over money, but to provide real benefit to someone who is genuinely in need.”
Helping a person whose hardship is known to be genuine is considered a good deed, Guliyev said. However, assistance does not always have to take the form of cash.
Buying food, clothing or medicine, or covering another specific need, may often be more useful and appropriate.
The scholar also pointed to the existence of professional begging and organized groups in Azerbaijan that use the practice as a source of income. In such cases, there is a risk that donated money will not reach someone who is genuinely vulnerable.
For that reason, he said, people may prefer to support low-income families they know personally or donate through trusted charitable organizations.
When approached by someone on the street, buying food or addressing a specific need may be a better option than giving cash.
Guliyev said Muslims should make sure that their assistance genuinely reduces hardship, protects human dignity and does not create opportunities for abuse.
“The purpose of Islam is not to encourage begging,” he said. “It is to eliminate need, strengthen the culture of mutual assistance and promote social solidarity.”
AZE.US