23/76. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 2572 — The Hidden Poor Person
Meaning Of Al-Miskin (The Poor)
Hadith About the Hidden Poor Person in Islam
Sunan an-Nasai : 2572
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 2572
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لَيْسَ الْمِسْكِينُ بِهَذَا الطَّوَّافِ الَّذِي يَطُوفُ عَلَى النَّاسِ تَرُدُّهُ اللُّقْمَةُ وَاللُّقْمَتَانِ وَالتَّمْرَةُ وَالتَّمْرَتَانِ " . قَالُوا فَمَا الْمِسْكِينُ قَالَ " الَّذِي لاَ يَجِدُ غِنًى يُغْنِيهِ وَلاَ يُفْطَنُ لَهُ فَيُتَصَدَّقَ عَلَيْهِ وَلاَ يَقُومُ فَيَسْأَلَ النَّاسَ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: "The poor man (Miskin) is not the one who goes around asking people and they send him away with a morsel or two, of a date or two. "They said: "Then what does poor (Mishkin) mean?" He said: "The one who does not possess independence of means and no one notices him to give charity to him, and he does not stand and ask of people."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2572In-book reference : Book 23, Hadith 138English translation : Vol. 3, Book 23, Hadith 2573
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 2572
This hadith about the hidden poor person gives a fuller definition of the Miskin. The Prophet said it is not the person who goes around asking people and is sent away with a morsel or two, or a date or two. When asked who the poor person is, he said it is the one who does not have enough means, is not noticed so that people give him charity, and does not stand to ask people. This teaching asks Muslims to be thoughtful in charity. Some people need help but do not make their need public. They may be missed unless others pay attention.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Miskin may not be the one who openly asks around.
- Some needy people are not noticed by others.
- A person may lack enough means but still avoid asking.
- Charity should include care for hidden need.
