The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "The truly poor person is not the one who goes around begging from people and is sent away with a morsel or two, or a date or two."The companions asked, "Then who is the truly poor person, Messenger of Allah?"He replied, "The one who does not have enough to suffice him, yet people do not recognize his condition so as to give him charity, and he does not stand up to ask people for anything."
أن رسول الله ﷺ قال: ليس المسكين بهذا الطواف الذي يطوف على الناس، فترده اللقمة واللقمتان والتمرة والتمرتان. قالوا: فما المسكين يا رسول الله؟ قال: الذي لا يجد غنى يغنيه، ولا يفطن الناس له فيتصدق، ولا يقوم فيسأل الناس.
This was narrated by Malik in his description of the Prophet ﷺ (1713) from Abu Zinad, from Araj, from Abu Hurairah, and he mentioned it. Bukhari narrated it in the chapter on zakat (1479) via Malik with the same chain. Muslim narrated it in the chapter on zakat (1039) through another route from Abu Zinad with the same chain.As for His words, "and those who administer it" [Tawbah 9:60], this refers to the collectors, agents, and workers who are permitted to take from the alms in exchange for their work, even if they are wealthy.