Working to give Sadaqah

لان ياخذ احدكم حبله فياتى بحزمة حطب على ظهره فيبيعها فيكف الله بها وجهه خير له من ان يسال الناس اعطوه او منعوه (البخارى)

“For a person to take a rope and carry a bundle of wood on his back to sell them and through that, Allah Ta’ala protects his dignity, [this] is better for him than begging people who may give him or may refuse to give him.” (Bukhari)

According to this Hadith, as far as possible, a person must assume his responsibility and be independent. Even if he does the most menial work whereby he may get some difficulty for a living however it is being earned in an honest and dignified way. This is better than begging people.

A person should always think about giving rather than begging. He must be ready to help others instead of waiting for others to help him.

The Sahaabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum) were even working as porters in the market so that they could give Sadaqah in the path of Allah Ta’ala. And yet, they were very poor and they deserved to be beneficiaries rather than donors. But they preferred to be donors rather than beneficiaries. Contrary to what we are seeing today, the Sahaabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum) had the spirit to give rather than to beg. Not only did they refrain from begging, but they also refused to take when someone was offering them without them asking also. Everyone was thinking that the next person deserved more than him. 

[English version of "Travail pou faire sadaqah" – Al Jamiat – Vol.5 No.1]