Giving an axe to the one who comes to beg

A man came to the Prophet Muhammad and begged. Instead of giving him money directly, the Prophet searched through his belongings at home. According to reports, two items were found in the man's house: a pot and an axe or hatchet. The Prophet commanded one of his companions to auction these two items. They were sold for a few dirhams. With this money, the Prophet had an axe bought for the man and left the remaining dirham for food. He instructed the man to cut wood with the axe and earn his living by selling it, and asked him to report back on his situation two weeks later. The man returned two weeks later. He had earned ten dirhams; with this, he had bought food and renewed his clothing. The Prophet happily said: 'This is better for you than coming on the Day of Judgment with a mark of begging on your face. Begging is only permissible for three people: someone who is undeniably poor, someone crushed under heavy debt, and someone who has lost everything due to a painful calamity.' This incident reveals the multifaceted perspective of Islam on begging and its understanding of social assistance. The Prophet sought a lasting solution that preserves the individual's productivity and dignity instead of giving direct aid. This approach is a concrete historical example of Islam's principle of 'give a man a fish, teach a man to fish.' [Source: Abu Dawood, Zakat 26; Nasai, Zakat 85; TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, 'Begging' article, islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/dilencilik; 'Charity' article, islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/sadaka]