APPARENTLY even when it comes to donation, there is a time and place for it. Recently, a video surfaced on the cyberspace, showing a healthy, young chap begging for money from customers in a coffee shop.
The netizen who posted the video on X said he would come every night, moving from table to table to beg.
Brother ini tiap-tiap malam datang ke sini dan pergi dari satu meja ke meja yang lain untuk minta duit.
semalam ada abang yang baik hati suruh dia pergi ambil nasi & abang tu bayarkan.
📸 : ayim pic.twitter.com/8KGFD10Ml9
— ًِ (@bckupacc99) December 21, 2024
“Last night, a good hearted man told him to take a plate of rice and that he would pay for it,” said the netizen.
The video has since sparked a debate on whether it was right to donate to such individuals who appear to be sound of mind and body.
According to Syazwan Zanini, it was alright to give him RM10. “It won’t make you poor anyway. We must remember that when we share our wealth with others, Allah will share His wealth with us,” he said.
Hafizzzz echoed his opinion, saying that it was better for him to beg than to steal.
Some netizens immediately recognised him, claiming that he could be found at the Doraisamy area.
Another said she was once approached by him at Starbucks reserve Times Square.
“For too long he has been doing this work. I’ve given him one. The second and third time, I will just drive him away,” said Izzuan Bro.
Now here comes a second school of thought forbidding people from donating in such a situation.
Netizen meetmeFS cautioned that it was forbidden in Islam to donate to a beggar who has a healthy physique.
Then there was Adzman Kamaruddin who said Malaysians are generous as they are influenced by the romanticised concept of “pahala” which urged us to help out.
“If once in a while, we can understand that maybe he is in trouble. But if every night, it means he is lazy.”
TheOnlyQaaf claimed that he once gave a Chinese auntie who was begging for money for rice, RM5. When he turned around, the auntie took out a bundle of money. 
Skimming through the numerous comments, some netizens have brought forth pertinent points such as making donations to those deserving of it, such as the orphanage, animal welfare homes and such.
Looking at the man, we suppose he should have no difficulty getting a job even if it is a low paying one.
But looking at the way he is found every night begging at the table, we suppose he already has one. —Dec 23, 2024
