Question

Is there a narration that says if you own less than 60 000 you are a pauper?

Answer

You are probably referring to the following narration recorded in Musnadul Firdaws:

Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Wealth/affluence is sixty thousand. Whoever does not own sixty thousand is a pauper.”

(Musnadul Firdaws, Hadith: 4316)

However, ‘Allamah Suyuti (rahimahullah) has cited this narration in his book on fabricated Hadiths. The Hadith is not suitable to quote.

(Dhaylul La-Alil Masnu’ah, vol. 2, pg. 763, Hadith: 953)

The Fuqaha (jurists) have differed with regard to the exact amount that is required to be regarded as wealthy thereby rendering begging impermissible. There a several narrations which mention this. Some narrations stipulate fifty dirhams, others state that if a person has sufficient for two meals for the day, then he is considered “wealthy”.

(Refer: Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 155 and 650, Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 1623 and Fathul Bari, before Hadith: 1476)

Kindly refer to a Mufti/Darul Ifta for further clarification.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar