The Disappearing Virtue
By: Farhad Ahmad Pir
Once, serving the needy was considered a blessing and a sacred duty. Almsgiving was a form of worship, a practice that brought joy and a sense of fulfilment to our lives. In Kashmir, in particular, feeding a hungry person was viewed as an act of divine service, with the belief that such selflessness would atone for past sins and earn God’s favor. This tradition ensured that no impoverished person went hungry, as the number of those in need was manageable.
However, in today’s world, this noble practice is becoming burdensome for those who still wish to help the destitute. The reason is that many have turned to begging as an easy means of livelihood, avoiding hard work altogether.
Beggars today are akin to government employees, starting their “workday” early in the morning and continuing until 4:00 pm. They stay informed about the latest political developments, strikes, and holidays, only venturing out when the situation in the valley is favorable.
Their profession requires cunning; they frequently change their routes to avoid becoming too familiar in any one area, ensuring they maintain their dignity by appearing infrequently in each location.
Yet, even this strategy is faltering as more idle people join this easy income source. Nowadays, you often hear knocks on doors early in the morning, accompanied by pleas like, “For God’s sake, give something, and God will shower His blessings upon you.” Not only this, the loudspeakers blare with pleas for alms, echoing through the streets and imploring passersby to give generously.
While giving alms is undoubtedly a virtuous act, and its rewards are promised in the Quran, this directive applies to those genuinely unable to work. Unfortunately, the influx of false beggars has eroded trust in this sacred practice. The new generation is increasingly sceptical, often branding anyone who asks for help as someone who has turned begging into a profession.
This infiltration by impostors has tainted the reputation of true beggars, making it difficult to distinguish between the genuinely needy and the fraudulent. Even those who deserve help have become notorious, their plight overshadowed by the actions of those exploiting the system.
This issue has yet to receive the attention it deserves. It is a challenge for all responsible citizens of our state. There are ways to address this problem and ensure that alms reach only those who are truly in need. One solution is to establish community-based organisations in each neighbourhood that identify and support the needy.
Once identified, their rehabilitation could become the responsibility of the community, ensuring that they receive basic necessities without the need to beg publicly, preserving their dignity.
The stakeholders could also play a crucial role by engaging false beggars in productive work and teaching them skills for a sustainable livelihood. By addressing the issue of fraudulent begging, we can restore the rights of the truly destitute, rekindle compassion for those in genuine need, and ensure that almsgiving remains a virtuous and respected practice.
(The author is a contractual lecturer and a content writer)
