Begging in the Masjid

A: There is no doubt that Masjids are built for the purpose of offering acts of worship to Allah, such as Salah (Prayer), (Part No. 6; Page No. 285) recitation of the Qur'an, Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah), I`tikaf (seclusion for worship in a Masjid), learning and teaching religious knowledge and similar religious activities that benefit Muslims in general. Hence, it is not permissible to use Masjids for purposes such as selling or purchasing things, talking about worldly matters, searching for lost things or so. It is related in Sahih Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: Whoever hears someone announcing the loss of something in the masjid, should say, 'May Allah not restore it to you', for Masjids (mosques) are not built for this purpose. Also Al-Tirmidhy narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: Whenever you see someone buying or selling in the Masjid (mosque), say to him, 'May Allah not make your bargain profitable!' Whenever you see someone announcing the loss of something lost in it, say: 'May Allah not restore it to you!' Begging is not permissible whether inside or outside Masjids unless it is a case of necessity. However, if the beggar suffers a dire need for money and he wants to fulfill his need, then there is no harm in doing so provided that he does not jump over the people sitting in the Masjid, nor tell lies when expressing his need and poverty. He should also not explain his need in a loud voice to the extent that may cause confusion to people who perform Salah, nor halt their recitation of Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah). In addition, he should not beg an orator while he is delivering a sermon nor beg people while listening to a religious lesson or during any such acts of worship as it may cause confusion to them in their worship of Allah. (Part No. 6; Page No. 286)  Abu Dawud narrated in his Sunan (Hadith compilations classified by jurisprudential themes) on the authority of `Abdul-Rahman ibn Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: Is there among you anyone who has fed a needy person today? Abu Bakr said: When I entered the Masjid (mosque), I found someone begging. `Abdul-Rahman was then holding a slice of bread, I took it from him and gave it to the beggar. Al-Mundhiry said: This Hadith is related by Muslim in his Sahih and Al-Nasa'y in his Sunan (Hadith compilations classified by jurisprudential themes) on the authority of Abu Hazim Salman Al-Ashja`y with similar wording.This Hadith indicates the permissibility of giving charity in the Masjid and also of begging when there is a dire need for it. Begging for no dire need or telling lies or causing people harm to express one's need to them should be prevented inside the Masjid.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.