(273) [Charity is] for the poor who have been restricted for the cause of Allah, unable to move about in the land. An ignorant [person] would think them self-sufficient because of their restraint, but you will know them by their [characteristic] sign. They do not ask people persistently [or at all]. And whatever you spend of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.
Whoever abstains from begging, Allah will support him abstaining. Whoever dispenses with means, Allah will suffice him. Whoever asks us for something we have, we will give it to him.
By the One in whose hand is my self, for one of you to take his rope and gather firewood on his back is better for him than to go to a man whom Allah has given of His bounty and ask him -for charity- which he may give or withhold.
A man who keeps begging from people would meet Allah without a speck of flesh on his face.
The needy is not the one who goes around begging people and is dismissed with a morsel or two, or a date or two. Rather, the needy is the one who does not have his subsistence, yet he is ashamed to ask people, and people are not aware of him so that they may give him charity.
