Asking people for money when one is not in need

Sahl ibn al-Hanzaliyyah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“Whoever asks people for money when he has what is sufficient for him is only asking for more of the embers of Hell.” They asked him, “O Messenger of Allah, what is sufficient so that he does not have to ask for more?” He said: “Having enough to eat lunch and dinner.”  (Reported by Abu Dawud, 2/281; see also Sahih al-Jaami’, 6280).

Ibn Mas’ood (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever asks the people for money when he has what is sufficient for him will come on the Day of Judgement with scratches and lacerations on his face.” (Reported by Imam Ahmad, 1/388; see also Sahih al-Jaami’, 6255).

Some beggars come to the mosques, interrupting people’s worship with their complaints; some of them lie, bringing forged papers and telling tall stories; some of them distribute their family members around different mosques, then they regroup and move on to other mosques. Some of these people may in fact be well-off, to an extent which only Allah knows; only when they die do others find out what they have left behind.