529] Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever begs from people for the sake of increasing his wealth is only asking for burning embers; let him, then, take little or take much.” Related by Muslim (1).

Glossary of the ḥadith
• amwālahum (their wealth): A badal ishtimāl replacing “people”; scholars note that the replacement names the very thing intended, so the goal of the request is the wealth itself.
• takaththuran (seeking an increase): an object of purpose, meaning he asks in order to multiply money, not to relieve need or poverty.
• jamran (embers): blazing fire he will consume within himself.
• fal-yastaqill aw li-yastakthir (let him take little, or let him take much): whether he takes a small amount or a great deal, the wording is intended as a threat of severe punishment.

Points derived from the ḥadith

1. The ḥadith indicates that begging is forbidden when there is no real need and the motive is simply to amass wealth.
2. A person who begs to accumulate money without necessity is gathering nothing but embers that will be ignited for him in Hell, because the wealth obtained in this manner is unlawful and the means of acquiring it are likewise forbidden.

Sharh al-Iqnaʿ states: “It is unlawful for one who already possesses sufficient means to ask for zakat, voluntary charity, expiations, and the like.”