Let's not fuel the begging industry
11:07AM Sun 3 Jul, 2016
By - Shafaat Shahbandari (Bhatkallys.com)
[caption id="attachment_104827" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Shafaat Shahbandari[/caption]
Ramadan is that time of the year, when the seekers of charity get into an overdrive.
Though, there is no harm in seeking help when in need and in fact, it is an article of faith for believers to be charitable, but the distribution of charity has turned out to be a bit questionable. And what is even more disturbing is how so many people are exploiting this noble intent of giving to their advantage.
While Islam encourages charity, it discourages begging.
Begging is a common sight in most Indian cities, and it is also known that most of the beggars are part of a professional network, whose chains go all the way up. Some of these beggars are able-bodied and in perfect condition to do any job, but choose begging as their profession, because it is more rewarding and less tiresome than any of the menial jobs.
But the scale of begging we see in Bhatkal, particularly in the last 10 days of the holy month, is massive.
Home to wealthy NRIs, Bhatkal is a haven for charity-seekers. From representatives of madrassas and philanthropic organisations to regular beggars, thousands turn up in the town overnight and return home rewarded.
People, some poor, some not so poor and mostly professional beggars crowd around big bungalows and mansions that are known to have charitable individuals who give away their Zakat and other forms or charity.
Though, lakhs of rupees are distributed, one cannot surely say whether the wealth reaches the needy or deserving.
This is the reason why the rich have to be more careful in who and how they give.
It is not enough that one calculates the amount of zakat and distributes it randomly to anyone and everyone who seeks it.
One of the key principles of giving is to make sure your donations reach the deserving person, while also making sure it is done as discreetly as possible.
Personally, I would hold the rich people responsible for this menace. It is their act of gathering people at their gates, particularly on the 27th of Ramadan, and making a show of giving that attracts such huge numbers to the town.
While, thousands of undeserving people help themselves with some quick bucks, thousands of others, whose honour and dignity stop them from stepping out to seek help remain destitute.
Another issue with the way we give is that we only choose limited avenues to donate, such as mosques, madrasas, some charity foundations and mostly beggars. While Quran says we have to first take care of our relatives and neighbours as well as those who are burdened by huge amounts of loans or those shackled by a false case.
Though, we don’t give a second thought in entertaining a beggar, it doesn’t even occur to us that we need to help those innocent prisoners who need to be bailed out or their cases need to be fought.
In fact, the families of those languishing in prison, whether they are guilty or not, are ignored by the society and nobody bothers to even approach them.
There are also hunderds of perennially ill people from respectable families, who cannot afford their cost of treatment, but hardly anyone steps out to help them.
Does it make sense that while we splash our funds irresponsibly, and our educational institutions like Jamia and Anjuman struggle to cover their operation costs, even after this charity drives.
Does it make sense to anyone that while we spend millions in beautifying our mosques, whereus there are hundreds who don’t have a roof to protect them from rain and sun?
Does it make sense to anyone that while we squander such huge amount of wealth so recklessly, and our children, women and elderly die because there is not a single quality hospital in town.
Aren’t we responsible for those widows who struggle to make ends meet? Then why can’t we provide them with a livelihood instead of making them wait in long lines for a 500 rupees note?
There are dozens of young boys and girls who drop out of college because there is nobody to pay their fees. Is our zakat not worthy of them.
It is an obligation on those who have huge amounts of wealth to seek right avenues to channelise their charity.
It is a responsibility of all us, each individual donor as well as our leaders to pool this wealth under a unified platform and use it in reconstructing our society.
Shafaat Shahbandari[/caption]
Ramadan is that time of the year, when the seekers of charity get into an overdrive.
Though, there is no harm in seeking help when in need and in fact, it is an article of faith for believers to be charitable, but the distribution of charity has turned out to be a bit questionable. And what is even more disturbing is how so many people are exploiting this noble intent of giving to their advantage.
While Islam encourages charity, it discourages begging.
Begging is a common sight in most Indian cities, and it is also known that most of the beggars are part of a professional network, whose chains go all the way up. Some of these beggars are able-bodied and in perfect condition to do any job, but choose begging as their profession, because it is more rewarding and less tiresome than any of the menial jobs.
But the scale of begging we see in Bhatkal, particularly in the last 10 days of the holy month, is massive.
Home to wealthy NRIs, Bhatkal is a haven for charity-seekers. From representatives of madrassas and philanthropic organisations to regular beggars, thousands turn up in the town overnight and return home rewarded.
People, some poor, some not so poor and mostly professional beggars crowd around big bungalows and mansions that are known to have charitable individuals who give away their Zakat and other forms or charity.
Though, lakhs of rupees are distributed, one cannot surely say whether the wealth reaches the needy or deserving.
This is the reason why the rich have to be more careful in who and how they give.
It is not enough that one calculates the amount of zakat and distributes it randomly to anyone and everyone who seeks it.
One of the key principles of giving is to make sure your donations reach the deserving person, while also making sure it is done as discreetly as possible.
Personally, I would hold the rich people responsible for this menace. It is their act of gathering people at their gates, particularly on the 27th of Ramadan, and making a show of giving that attracts such huge numbers to the town.
While, thousands of undeserving people help themselves with some quick bucks, thousands of others, whose honour and dignity stop them from stepping out to seek help remain destitute.
Another issue with the way we give is that we only choose limited avenues to donate, such as mosques, madrasas, some charity foundations and mostly beggars. While Quran says we have to first take care of our relatives and neighbours as well as those who are burdened by huge amounts of loans or those shackled by a false case.
Though, we don’t give a second thought in entertaining a beggar, it doesn’t even occur to us that we need to help those innocent prisoners who need to be bailed out or their cases need to be fought.
In fact, the families of those languishing in prison, whether they are guilty or not, are ignored by the society and nobody bothers to even approach them.
There are also hunderds of perennially ill people from respectable families, who cannot afford their cost of treatment, but hardly anyone steps out to help them.
Does it make sense that while we splash our funds irresponsibly, and our educational institutions like Jamia and Anjuman struggle to cover their operation costs, even after this charity drives.
Does it make sense to anyone that while we spend millions in beautifying our mosques, whereus there are hundreds who don’t have a roof to protect them from rain and sun?
Does it make sense to anyone that while we squander such huge amount of wealth so recklessly, and our children, women and elderly die because there is not a single quality hospital in town.
Aren’t we responsible for those widows who struggle to make ends meet? Then why can’t we provide them with a livelihood instead of making them wait in long lines for a 500 rupees note?
There are dozens of young boys and girls who drop out of college because there is nobody to pay their fees. Is our zakat not worthy of them.
It is an obligation on those who have huge amounts of wealth to seek right avenues to channelise their charity.
It is a responsibility of all us, each individual donor as well as our leaders to pool this wealth under a unified platform and use it in reconstructing our society.
(Shafaat Shahbandari is a Dubai based journalist)
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. Bhatkallys.com is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Bhatkallys.com and Bhatkallys.com does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
Photos
