Er. Amir Gulam Lone
In Kashmir, a region known for its scenic beauty and rich cultural history, a troubling phenomenon has taken root — a growing “begging mentality” that threatens to shape the moral and economic fabric of society. This is not just a practice of charity but an ingrained habit that needs deeper reflection. To understand the roots of this issue and its long-term consequences, we must examine how it affects individuals, communities, and society as a whole.
1. Charity vs. Dependency
It is a beautiful and noble act to help the poor and needy. Charity, as encouraged by religious teachings, especially in Islam, promotes compassion. However, in Kashmir, charity has often been confused with an obligation to give money to beggars, whether they are in need or not. People believe that giving to beggars is not just a voluntary act of kindness but a moral and religious responsibility. This sense of obligation can sometimes overshadow the true spirit of charity, which aims to uplift the poor and provide for the community in a sustainable way.
In Islam, giving charity (Zakat and Sadaqah) is not meant to support people in a way that they become dependent on others. Instead, it is about ensuring that people who are in genuine need can meet their basic needs and eventually find ways to support themselves. When charity is used to feed beggars, rather than helping those in real need, it can become an enabler of dependency. This creates a cycle where the beggar feels entitled to ask for help, and the giver feels obligated to provide, even if the person does not need it.
2. Entitlement and the Loss of Dignity
Another disturbing aspect of the begging mentality in Kashmir is the entitlement that many beggars feel. In many cases, beggars have come to believe that they have a right to beg. This sense of entitlement can strip them of their dignity and humanity. Rather than empowering themselves to work and contribute to society, some have come to rely on the sympathy of others. This not only fosters a culture of dependency but also undermines the dignity of the beggar.
In a healthy society, the act of begging should be temporary and situational. It should not be a permanent solution to poverty or a way of life. The true goal of charity is not to create a permanent class of beggars but to help individuals break free from poverty.
3. The Economic Consequences
The most worrying impact of this mentality is the long-term economic consequences. If people in Kashmir continue to give money to beggars without understanding the larger societal impact, they are inadvertently contributing to an unsustainable economy. A society that is built on the idea that people should rely on the charity of others for survival will always struggle to thrive. Instead of investing in education, skills, or self-sufficiency programs, the focus remains on handouts.
This creates a vicious cycle. The more people give money to beggars, the less people invest in systems that can create lasting economic opportunities. In the end, the society becomes less productive, and the cycle of poverty and begging continues. In order to create a healthy economy, it is essential to shift from a mindset of dependency to one of empowerment, where people are given the tools to build their own futures.
4. Helping Your Own Community: The True Spirit of Charity
One of the most important lessons in charity, especially in Islamic teachings, is the importance of helping those within your own community. Instead of giving to beggars on the street, the focus should be on supporting those who live near you — your neighbors, your relatives, and those in your immediate vicinity who are in genuine need. Charity that builds a stronger community is far more beneficial than charity that creates a wider, but less connected, network of dependence.
When we help our neighbors or people we know personally, we create a sense of solidarity and mutual support. This helps build a stronger, more compassionate community. It is much easier to know who truly needs help and who might be taking advantage of others’ generosity. By focusing on local charity, we can ensure that the aid goes to those who truly need it and is used in the most effective way possible.
5. Charity in Secret: The Islamic Perspective
In Islam, charity is not just about the act itself but also the manner in which it is done. It is highly recommended to give charity in secret, so the giver does not feel pride and the receiver does not feel embarrassed. Public displays of charity, especially when done to beggars who are not truly in need, can make both the giver and the receiver lose the essence of the act. Giving in secret ensures that the act is for the sake of God, not for personal recognition or to satisfy a sense of obligation.
When charity is given openly, it can also encourage others to beg, as they see that it’s a way to get money without working for it. The emphasis should be on helping those who truly need it in a way that maintains their dignity, while also ensuring that the act of giving is not done for show but as a sincere act of kindness.
6. Religious Institutions and the Path of Begging
A particularly concerning trend in Kashmir is the rise of religious leaders and institutions that have adopted the same begging mentality. Many religious leaders, who run religious schools and institutes, go from door to door to collect donations for their institutions. While religious education is undoubtedly important, it is deeply troubling that these institutions have resorted to begging to fund their operations. This not only promotes the same culture of dependency among the religious leaders but also sends a harmful message to the public: that begging is an acceptable and even expected way of raising funds.
This approach not only compromises the integrity of the religious institutions but also encourages the common masses to adopt a similar mindset. Instead of teaching individuals the importance of self-reliance and sustainable means of support, it inadvertently spreads the idea that begging is a legitimate way to earn a living. Religious institutions should not have to beg to survive; instead, they should be established with sufficient funds or mechanisms in place to generate income for their own expenses. This will ensure that they are not dependent on the charity of others and can continue to serve the community without undermining the values they aim to promote.
7. Sustainable Religious Institutions
Religious institutions should be founded with clear financial plans that do not rely on the continuous solicitation of donations. If they do need support, it should be through proper channels, such as fundraising campaigns or creating income-generating projects, rather than resorting to going door to door. This will teach the community the value of hard work, responsibility, and independence. Furthermore, it will ensure that the focus remains on providing quality religious education, not on the continuous need to gather funds.
Conclusion: Reclaiming the Spirit of Charity
The growing “begging mentality” in Kashmir is a dangerous trend that threatens the fabric of society. While charity is a beautiful practice, it is essential that we understand its true purpose. Charity should be a means to empower others, not to make them dependent. It should strengthen communities, help individuals stand on their own feet, and be done in a way that respects the dignity of both the giver and the receiver.
For the younger generation, it is crucial to learn the difference between charity that fosters dependency and charity that fosters empowerment. Let us focus on creating a society where people do not rely on begging but on self-sufficiency, dignity, and mutual support. By shifting our mindset, we can create a more sustainable and prosperous future for Kashmir.
The author is a Gold medalist in Environmental Engineering from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
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