Thy Prophet sent Muadh to Yemen and said, “Invite the people to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and I am Allah’s Apostle, and if they obey you to do so, then teach them that Allah has enjoined on them five prayers in every day and night (in twenty-four hours), and if they obey you to do so, then teach them that Allah has made it obligatory for them to pay the Zakat from their property and it is to be taken from the wealthy among them and given to the poor.”
2:479 Narrated by Abu Aiyub
A man said to the Prophet “Tell me of such a deed as will make me enter Paradise.” The people said, “What is the matter with him? What is the matter with him?” The Prophet said, “He has something to ask. (What he needs greatly) The Prophet said: (In order to enter Paradise) you should worship Allah and do not ascribe any partners to Him, offer prayer perfectly, pay the Zakat and keep good relations with your Kith and kin.” (See Hadith No. 12, Vol 8).
2:480 Narrated by Abu Huraira
A Bedouin came to the Prophet and said, “Tell me of such a deed as will make me enter Paradise, if I do it.” The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “Worship Allah, and worship none along with Him, offer the (five) prescribed compulsory prayers perfectly, pay the compulsory Zakat, and fast the month of Ramadan.” The Bedouin said, “By Him, in Whose Hands my life is, I will not do more than this.” When he (the Bedouin) left, the Prophet said, “Whoever likes to see a man of Paradise, then he may look at this man.”
2:483 Narrated by Abu Huraira
When Allah’s Apostle died and Abu Bakr became the caliph some Arabs renegade (reverted to disbelief) (Abu Bakr decided to declare war against them), ‘Umar, said to Abu Bakr, “How can you fight with these people although Allah’s Apostle said, ‘I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight the people till they say: “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and whoever said it then he will save his life and property from me except on trespassing the law (rights and conditions for which he will be punished justly), and his accounts will be with Allah.’ ” Abu Bakr said, “By Allah! I will fight those who differentiate between the prayer and the Zakat as Zakat is the compulsory right to be taken from the property (according to Allah’s orders) By Allah! If they refuse to pay me even a she-kid which they used to pay at the time of Allah’s Apostle . I would fight with them for withholding it” Then ‘Umar said, “By Allah, it was nothing, but Allah opened Abu Bakr’s chest towards the decision (to fight) and I came to know that his decision was right.”
CHAPTER 2. The sin of a person who does not pay Zakât.
2:485 Narrated by Abu Huraira
The Prophet said, “(On the Day of Resurrection) camels will come to their owner in the best state of health they have ever had (in the world), and if he had not paid their Zakat (in the world) then they would tread him with their feet; and similarly, sheep will come to their owner in the best state of health they have ever had in the world, and if he had not paid their Zakat, then they would tread him with their hooves and would butt him with their horns.” The Prophet added, “One of their rights is that they should be milked while water is kept in front of them.”
The Prophet added, “I do not want anyone of you to come to me on the Day of Resurrection, carrying over his neck a sheep that will be bleating. Such a person will (then) say, ‘O Muhammad! (please intercede for me,) I will say to him. ‘I can’t help you, for I conveyed Allah’s Message to you.’ Similarly, I do not want anyone of you to come to me carrying over his neck a camel that will be grunting. Such a person (then) will say “O Muhammad! (please intercede for me).” I will say to him, “I can’t help you for I conveyed Allah’s message to you.”
2:486 Narrated by Abu Huraira
Allah’s Apostle said, “Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the Zakat of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and say, ‘I am your wealth, I am your treasure.’ ” Then the Prophet recited the holy verses:– ‘Let not those who withhold . . .’ (to the end of the verse). (3.180).
CHAPTER 3. A property from which the Zakât is paid is not a Al-Kanz.
2:487 Narrated by Abu Said
Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) said, “No Zakat is due on property mounting to less than five Uqiyas (of silver), and no Zakat is due on less than five camels, and there is no Zakat on less than five Wasqs.” (A Wasqs equals 60 Sa’s) & (1 Sa=3 K gms App.)
CHAPTER 4. As-$adaqa (charity) must be from money earned honestly.
2:491 Narrated by Abu Huraira
Allah’s Apostle said, “If one give in charity what equals one date-fruit fro the honestly-earned money and Allah accepts only the honestly earned money –Allah takes it in His right (hand) ar then enlarges its reward for that person (who has given it), as anyone of you brings up his baby horse, so much s that it becomes as big as a mountain.
CHAPTER 5. To practice charity (as early as possible) before such time comes when nobody would accept it.
2:492 Narrated by Haritha bin Wahab
I heard the Prophet saying, “O people! Give in charity as a time will come upon you when a person will wander about with his object of charity and will not find anybody to accept it, and one (who will be requested to take it) will say, “If you had brought it yesterday, would have taken it, but to-day I am not in need of it.”
2:493 Narrated by Abu Huraira
The Prophet said, “The Hour (Day of Judgment) will not be established till your wealth increases so much so that one will be worried, for no one will accept his Zakat and the person to whom he will give it will reply, ‘I am not in need of it.’ “
2:494 Narrated by ‘Adi bin Hatim
While I was sitting with Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) two person came to him; one of them complained about his poverty and the other complained about the prevalence of robberies. Allah’s Apostle said, “As regards stealing and robberies, there will shortly come a time when a caravan will go to Mecca (from Medina) without any guard. And regarding poverty, The Hour (Day of Judgment) will not be established till one of you wanders about with his object of charity and will not find anybody to accept it And (no doubt) each one of you will stand in front of Allah and there will be neither a curtain nor an interpreter between him and Allah, and Allah will ask him, ‘Did not I give you wealth?’ He will reply in the affirmative. Allah will further ask, ‘Didn’t I send a messenger to you?’ And again that person will reply in the affirmative Then he will look to his right and he will see nothing but Hell-fire, and then he will look to his left and will see nothing but Hell-fire. And so, any (each one) of you should save himself from the fire even by giving half of a date-fruit (in charity). And if you do not find a half date-fruit, then (you can do it through saying) a good pleasant word (to your brethren). (See Hadith No. 793 Vol. 4).
CHAPTER 6. Protect yourself from Hell-fire even with a half date, or with a little object of charity.
2:495 Narrated by Abu Musa
Thy Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “A time will come upon the people when a person will wander about with gold as Zakat and will not find anybody to accept it, and one man will be seen followed by forty women to be their guardian because of scarcity of men and great number of women. “
2:497 Narrated by Abu Masud Al-Ansar
Whenever Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) ordered us to give in charity, we used to go to the market and work as porters and get a Mudd (a special measure of grain) and then give it in charity. (Those were the days of poverty) and to-day some of us have one hundred thousand.
2:499 Narrated by Aisha
A lady along with her two daughters came to me asking (for some alms), but she found nothing with me except one date which I gave to her and she divided it between her two daughters, and did not eat anything herself, and then she got up and went away. Then the Prophet came in and I informed him about this story. He said, “Whoever is put to trial by these daughters and he treats them generously (with benevolence) then these daughters will act as a shield for him from Hell-Fire.” (See Hadith No. 24, Vol. 8).
CHAPTER 7. Which charity is superior?
2:500 Narrated by Abu Huraira
A man came to the Prophet and asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! Which charity is the most superior in reward?” He replied, “The charity which you practice while you are healthy, niggardly and afraid of poverty and wish to become wealthy. Do not delay it to the time of approaching death and then say, ‘Give so much to such and such, and so much to such and such.’ And it has already belonged to such and such (as it is too late).”
CHAPTER 8.
2:501 Narrated by ‘Aisha
Some of the wives of the Prophet asked him, “Who amongst us will be the first to follow you (i.e. die after you)?” He said, “Whoever has the longest hand.” So they started measuring their hands with a stick and Sauda’s hand turned out to be the longest. (When Zainab bint Jahsh died first of all in the caliphate of ‘Umar), we came to know that the long hand was a symbol of practicing charity, so she was the first to follow the Prophet and she used to love to practice charity. (Sauda died later in the caliphate of Muawiya).
CHAPTER 9. If one gives an object of charity to a wealthy person unknowingly (one’s act of charity is accepted by Allah).
2:502 Narrated by Abu Huraira
Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) said, “A man said that he would give something in charity. He went out with his object of charity and unknowingly gave it to a thief. Next morning the people said that he had given his object of charity to a thief. (On hearing that) he said, “O Allah! All the praises are for you. I will give alms again.” And so he again went out with his alms and (unknowingly) gave it to an adulteress. Next morning the people said that he had given his alms to an adulteress last night. The man said, “O Allah! All the praises are for you. (I gave my alms) to an adulteress. I will give alms again.” So he went out with his alms again and (unknowingly) gave it to a rich person. (The people) next morning said that he had given his alms to a wealthy person. He said, “O Allah! All the praises are for you. (I had given alms) to a thief, to an adulteress and to a wealthy man.” Then someone came and said to him, “The alms which you gave to the thief, might make him abstain from stealing, and that given to the adulteress might make her abstain from illegal sexual intercourse (adultery), and that given to the wealthy man might make him take a lesson from it and spend his wealth which Allah has given him, in Allah’s cause.”
CHAPTER 10. If a person gives something in charity to his own son unknowingly.
2:503 Narrated by Ma’n bin Yazid
My grandfather, my father and I gave the pledge of allegiance to Allah’s Apostle. The Prophet got me engaged and then got me married. One day I went to the Prophet with a complaint. My father Yazid had taken some gold coins for charity and kept them with a man in the mosque (to give them to the poor) But I went and took them and brought them to him (my father). My father said, “By Allah! I did not intend to give them to you. ” I took (the case) to Allah’s Apostle . On that Allah’s Apostle said, “O Yazid! You will be rewarded for what you intended. O Man! Whatever you have taken is yours.”
CHAPTER 11. Whoever ordered his servant to give something in charity and did not give it himself.
2:506 Narrated by ‘Aisha
Allah’s Apostle said, “When a woman gives in charity some of the foodstuff (which she has in her house) without spoiling it, she will receive the reward for what she has spent, and her husband will receive the reward because of his earning, and the storekeeper will also have a reward similar to it. The reward of one will not decrease the reward of the others . “
CHAPTER 12. The wealthy only are required to give in charity.
2:508 Narrated by Hakim bin Hizam
The Prophet said, “The upper hand is better than the lower hand (i.e. he who gives in charity is better than him who takes it). One should start giving first to his dependents. And the best object of charity is that which is given by a wealthy person (from the money which is left after his expenses). And whoever abstains from asking others for some financial help, Allah will give him and save him from asking others, Allah will make him self-sufficient.”
2:509 Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar
I heard Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) while he was on the pulpit speaking about charity, to abstain from asking others for some financial help and about begging others, saying, “The upper hand is better than the lower hand. The upper hand is that of the giver and the lower (hand) is that of the beggar.”
CHAPTER 13. To exhort one to give in charity and to intercede for the same purpose.
2:512 Narrated by Abu Burda bin Abu Musa
That his father said, “Whenever a beggar came to Allah’s Apostle or he was asked for something, he used to say (to his companions), “Help and recommend him and you will receive the reward for it; and Allah will bring about what He will through His Prophet’s tongue.”
2:513 Narrated by Asma
The Prophet said to me, “Do not withhold your money, (for if you did so) Allah would with-hold His blessings from you.”
2:514 Narrated by ‘Abda
The Prophet said, “Do not with-hold your money by counting it (i.e. hoarding it), (for if you did so), Allah would also with-hold His blessings from you.”
CHAPTER 14. To give in charity as much as you can afford.
2:515 Narrated by Asma’ bint Abu Bakr
That she had gone to the Prophet and he said, “Do not shut your money bag; otherwise Allah too will with-hold His blessings from you. Spend (in Allah’s Cause) as much as you can afford. “
CHAPTER 15. Whoever gave things in charity while he was a Mushrik and then embraced Islam.
2:517 Narrated by Hakim bin Hizam
I said to Allah’s Apostle, “Before embracing Islam I used to do good deeds like giving in charity, slave-manumitting, and the keeping of good relations with Kith and kin. Shall I be rewarded for those deeds?” The Prophet replied, “You became Muslim with all those good deeds (Without losing their reward).”
CHAPTER 16. The servant gets a reward for giving charity When ordered by the owner of the property as long as the servant has no intention of spoiling it (his master’s property).
2:519 Narrated by Abu Musa
The Prophet said, “An honest Muslim store-keeper who carries out the orders of his master and pays fully what he has been ordered to give with a good heart and pays to that person to whom he was ordered to pay, is regarded as one of the two charitable persons.”
CHAPTER 17. The Statement of Allah “As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah, and fears Him …….” (V.92 : 5-10) (And the saying of the angels:) ‘0 Allah, compensate a person who spends in Your Cause for what he has spent.’
2:522 Narrated by Abu Huraira
The Prophet said, “Every day two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, ‘O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause,’ and the other (angel) says, ‘O Allah! Destroy every miser.’ “
CHAPTER 18. The examples of an alms-giver and a miser.
2:523 Narrated by Abu Huraira
The Prophet said, “The example of a miser and an alms-giver is like the example of two persons wearing iron cloaks.” Allah’s Apostle also said, “The example of an alms-giver and a miser is like the example of two persons who have two iron cloaks on them from their breasts to their collar bones, and when the alms-giver wants to give in charity, the cloak becomes capacious till it covers his whole body to such an extent that it hides his fingertips and covers his footprints (obliterates his tracks). (1) And when the miser wants to spend, it (the iron cloak) sticks and every ring gets stuck to its place and he tries to widen it, but it did not become wide.
CHAPTER 19. Every Muslim has to give in charity and whoever does not find anything to give, should do all that is good [i.e. enjoin Al-Ma’ruf (Islamic Monotheism, and all that Islam has ordained)].
2:524 Narrated by Abu Burda
From his father from his grandfather that the Prophet said, “Every Muslim has to give in charity.” The people asked, “O Allah’s Prophet! If someone has nothing to give, what will he do?” He said, “He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns).” The people further asked, “If he cannot find even that?” He replied, “He should help the needy who appeal for help.” Then the people asked, “If he cannot do that?” He replied, “Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil deeds and this will be regarded as charitable deeds.”
CHAPTER 20. How much is Zakât and how much may be given in charity? And whoever gave a sheep in charity.
2:525 Narrated by Um ‘Atiyya
A sheep was sent to me (Nusaiba Al-Ansariya) (in charity) and I sent some of it to ‘Aisha. The Prophet asked ‘Aisha for something to eat. ‘Aisha replied that there was nothing except what Nusaiba Al-Ansariya had sent of that sheep. The Prophet said to her, “Bring it as it has reached its place.”
CHAPTER 21. Zakât may be paid in kind (and not in cash).
2:528 Narrated by Anas
Abu Bakr wrote to me what Allah had instructed His Apostle (p.b.u.h) to do regarding the one who had to pay one Bint Makhad (i.e. one year-old she-camel) as Zakat, and he did not have it but had got Bint Labun (two year old she-camel). (He wrote that) it could be accepted from him as Zakat, and the collector of Zakat would return him 20 Dirhams or two sheep; and if the Zakat payer had not a Bint Makhad, but he had Ibn Labun (a two year old he-camel) then it could be accepted as his Zakat, but he would not be paid anything.
CHAPTER 22. The individual property of different people should neither be gathered together nor the joint property should be divided, in assessing the Zakât
2:531 Narrated by Anas
Abu Bakr wrote to me what was made compulsory by Allah’s Apostle and that was (regarding the payments of Zakat): Neither the property of different people may be taken together nor the joint property may be split for fear of (paying more, or receiving less) Zakat.
CHAPTER 23. If a property is equally owned by two partners, its Zakât is to be paid as a whole, and each partner is to pay the same amount.
2:531 Narrated by Anas
Abu Bakr wrote to me what Allah’s Apostle has made compulsory (regarding Zakat) and this was mentioned in it: If a property is equally owned by two partners, they should pay the combined Zakat and it will be considered that both of them have paid their Zakat equally.
CHAPTER 24. The Zakât of camels.
2:532 Narrated by Abu Said Al-Khudri
A Bedouin asked Allah’s Apostle about the emigration. The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “May Allah have mercy on you! The matter of emigration is very hard. Have you got camels? Do you pay their Zakat?” The Bedouin said, “Yes, I have camels and I pay their Zakat.” The Prophet said, Work beyond the seas and Allah will not decrease (waste) any of your good deeds.” (See Hadith No. 260 Vol. 5).
CHAPTER 25. Whoever has to pay a Bint Makhâd as Zakât and has not got it.
2:533 Narrated by Anas
Abu Bakr , wrote to me about the Zakat which Allah had ordered His Apostle to observe: Whoever had to pay Jahda (Jahda means a four-year-old she-camel) as Zakat from his herd of camels and he had not got one, and he had Hiqqa (three-year-old she-camel), that Hiqqa should be accepted from him along with two sheep if they were available or twenty Dirhams (one Durham equals about 1/4 Saudi Riyal) and whoever had to pay Hiqqa as Zakat and he had no Hiqqa but had a Jadha, the Jadha should be accepted from him, and the Zakat collector should repay him twenty Dirhams or two sheep; and whoever had to pay Hiqqa as Zakat and he had not got one, but had a Bint Labun (two-year-old she-camel), it should be accepted from him along with two sheep or twenty Dirhams; and whoever had to pay Bint Labun and had a Hiqqa, that Hiqqa should be accepted from him and the Zakat collector should repay him twenty Dirhams or two sheep; and whoever had to pay Bint Labun and he had not got one but had a Bint Makhad (one-year-old she camel), that Bint Makhad should be accepted from him along with twenty Dirhams or two sheep.
CHAPTER 26. The Zakât of sheep.
Narrated by Anas
When Abu Bakr; sent me to (collect the Zakat from) Bahrein, he wrote to me the following:– (In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful). These are the orders for compulsory charity (Zakat) which Allah’s Apostle had made obligatory for every Muslim, and which Allah had ordered His Apostle to observe: Whoever amongst the Muslims is asked to pay Zakat accordingly, he should pay it (to the Zakat collector) and whoever is asked more than that (what is specified in this script) he should not pay it; for twenty-four camels or less, sheep are to be paid as Zakat; for every five camels one sheep is to be paid, and if there are between twenty-five to thirty-five camels, one Bint Makhad is to be paid; and if they are between thirty-six to forty-five (camels), one Bint Labun is to be paid; and if they are between forty-six to sixty (camels), one Hiqqa is to be paid; and if the number is between sixty-one to seventy-five (camels), one Jadh’a is to be paid; and if the number is between seventy-six to ninety (camels), two Bint Labuns are to be paid; and if they are from ninety-one to one-hundred-and twenty (camels), two Hiqqas are to be paid; and if they are over one-hundred and-twenty (camels), for every forty (over one-hundred-and-twenty) one Bint Labun is to be paid, and for every fifty camels (over one-hundred-and-twenty) one Hiqqa is to be paid; and who ever has got only four camels, has to pay nothing as Zakat, but if the owner of these four camels wants to give something, he can. If the number of camels increases to five, the owner has to pay one sheep as Zakat. As regards the Zakat for the (flock) of sheep; if they are between forty and one-hundred-and-twenty sheep, one sheep is to be paid; and if they are between one-hundred-and-twenty to two hundred (sheep), two sheep are to be paid; and if they are between two-hundred to three-hundred (sheep), three sheep are to be paid; and for over three-hundred sheep, for every extra hundred sheep, one sheep is to be paid as Zakat. And if somebody has got less than forty sheep, no Zakat is required, but if he wants to give, he can. For silver the Zakat is one-fortieth of the lot (i.e. 2.5%), and if its value is less than two-hundred Dirhams, Zakat is not required, but if the owner wants to pay he can.’
CHAPTER 27. In Zakât no defective (animals) are to be taken.
2:535 Narrated by Anas
Abu Bakr wrote to me what Allah had ordered His Apostle (about Zakat) which goes: Neither an old nor a defected animal, nor a male-goat may be taken as Zakat except if the Zakat collector wishes (to take it).
CHAPTER 28. Do not take the best from the property of the people as Zakât.
2:537 Narrated by Ibn Abbas
When Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) sent Muadh to Yemen, he said (to him), “YOU are going to people of a (Divine) Book. First of all invite them to worship Allah (alone) and when they come to know Allah, inform them that Allah has enjoined on them, five prayers in every day and night; and if they start offering these prayers, inform them that Allah has enjoined on them, the Zakat. And it is to be taken from the rich amongst them and given to the poor amongst them; and if they obey you in that, take Zakat from them and avoid (don’t take) the best property of the people as Zakat.”
CHAPTER 29. The giving of Zakât to relatives.
2:540 Narrated by Ishaq bin ‘Abdullah bin Al Talha
I heard Anas bin Malik saying, “Abu Talha had more property of date-palm trees gardens than any other amongst the Ansar in Medina and the most beloved of them to him was Bairuha garden, and it was in front of the Mosque of the Prophet . Allah’s Apostle used to go there and used to drink its nice water.” Anas added, “When these verses were revealed:–‘By no means shall you Attain righteousness unless You spend (in charity) of that Which you love. ‘ (3.92) Abu Talha said to Allah’s Apostle ‘O Allah’s Apostle! Allah, the Blessed, the Superior says: By no means shall you attain righteousness, unless you spend (in charity) of that which you love. And no doubt, Bairuha’ garden is the most beloved of all my property to me. So I want to give it in charity in Allah’s Cause. I expect its reward from Allah. O Allah’s Apostle! Spend it where Allah makes you think it feasible.’ On that Allah’s Apostle said, ‘Bravo! It is useful property. I have heard what you have said (O Abu Talha), and I think it would be proper if you gave it to your Kith and kin.’ Abu Talha said, I will do so, O Allah’s Apostle.’ Then Abu Talha distributed that garden amongst his relatives and his cousins.”
2:541 Narrated by Abu Said Al-Khudri
On ‘Id ul Fitr or ‘Id ul Adha Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) went out to the Musalla. After finishing the prayer, he delivered the sermon and ordered the people to give alms. He said, “O people! Give alms.” Then he went towards the women and said. “O women! Give alms, for I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-Fire were you (women).” The women asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! What is the reason for it?” He replied, “O women! You curse frequently, and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. O women, some of you can lead a cautious wise man astray.” Then he left. And when he reached his house, Zainab, the wife of Ibn Masud, came and asked permission to enter It was said, “O Allah’s Apostle! It is Zainab.” He asked, ‘Which Zainab?” The reply was that she was the wife of Ibn Mas’ub. He said, “Yes, allow her to enter.” And she was admitted. Then she said, “O Prophet of Allah! Today you ordered people to give alms and I had an ornament and intended to give it as alms, but Ibn Masud said that he and his children deserved it more than anybody else.” The Prophet replied, “Ibn Masud had spoken the truth. Your husband and your children had more right to it than anybody else.”
CHAPTER 30. No Zakât is imposed on the horse of a Muslim.
2:542 Narrated by Abu Huraira
Allah’s Apostle said, “There is no Zakat either on a horse or a slave belonging to a Muslim”
CHAPTER 31. Giving in charity to orphans.
2:544 Narrated by Abu Said Al-Khudri
Once the Prophet sat on a pulpit and we sat around him. Then he said, “The things I am afraid of most for your sake (concerning what will befall you after me) is the pleasures and splendors of the world and its beauties which will be disclosed to you.” Somebody said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Can the good bring forth evil?” The Prophet remained silent for a while. It was said to that person, “What is wrong with you? You are talking to the Prophet (p.b.u.h) while he is not talking to you.” Then we noticed that he was being inspired divinely. Then the Prophet wiped off his sweat and said, “Where is the questioner?” It seemed as if the Prophet liked his question. Then he said, “Good never brings forth evil. Indeed it is like what grows on the banks of a water-stream which either kill or make the animals sick, except if an animal eats its fill the Khadira (a kind of vegetable) and then faces the sun, and then defecates and urinates and grazes again. No doubt this wealth is sweet and green. Blessed is the wealth of a Muslim from which he gives to the poor, the orphans and to needy travelers. (Or the Prophet said something similar to it) No doubt, whoever takes it illegally will be like the one who eats but is never satisfied, and his wealth will be a witness against him on the Day of Resurrection.”
CHAPTER 32. Giving Zakdt to one’s husband and to orphans under one’s protection.
2:545 Narrated by ‘Amr bin Al-Harith
Zainab, the wife of ‘Abdullah said, “I was in the Mosque and saw the Prophet (p.b.u.h) saying, ‘O women ! Give alms even from your ornaments.’ ” Zainab used to provide for ‘Abdullah and those orphans who were under her protection. So she said to ‘Abdullah, “Will you ask Allah’s Apostle whether it will be sufficient for me to spend part of the Zakat on you and the orphans who are under my protection?” He replied “Will you yourself ask Allah’s Apostle ?” (Zainab added): So I went to the Prophet and I saw there an Ansari woman who was standing at the door (of the Prophet ) with a similar problem as mine. Bilal passed by us and we asked him, ‘Ask the Prophet whether it is permissible for me to spend (the Zakat) on my husband and the orphans under my protection.’ And we requested Bilal not to inform the Prophet about us. So Bilal went inside and asked the Prophet regarding our problem. The Prophet (p.b.u.h) asked, “Who are those two?” Bilal replied that she was Zainab. The Prophet said, “Which Zainab?” Bilal said, “The wife of ‘Adullah (bin Masud).” The Prophet said, “Yes, (it is sufficient for her) and she will receive a double rewards (for that): One for helping relatives, and the other for giving Zakat.”
2:546 Narrated by Zainab
(the daughter of Um Salama) My mother said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Shall I receive a reward if I spend for the sustenance of Abu Salama’s offspring, and in fact they are also my sons?” The Prophet replied, “Spend on them and you will get a reward for what you spend on them.”
CHAPTER 33. The Statement of Allah “(Zakât should be spent)…. to free the captives and for those in debt; and for Allah’s Cause….. (V.9:60)
2:547 Narrated by Abu Huraira
Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) ordered (a person) to collect Zakat, and that person returned and told him that Ibn Jamil, Khalid bin Al-Walid, and Abbas bin ‘Abdul Muttalib had refused to give Zakat.” The Prophet said, “What made Ibn Jamll refuse to give Zakat though he was a poor man, and was made wealthy by Allah and His Apostle ? But you are unfair in asking Zakat from Khalid as he is keeping his armor for Allah’s Cause (for Jihad). As for Abbas bin ‘Abdul Muttalib, he is the uncle of Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) and Zakat is compulsory on him and he should pay it double.”
CHAPTER 34. To abstain from begging.
2:548 Narrated by Abu Said Al-Khudri
Some Ansari persons asked for (something) from Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) and he gave them. They again asked him for (something) and he again gave them. And then they asked him and he gave them again till all that was with him finished. And then he said “If I had anything. I would not keep it away from you. (Remember) Whoever abstains from asking others, Allah will make him contented, and whoever tries to make himself self-sufficient, Allah will make him self-sufficient. And whoever remains patient, Allah will make him patient. Nobody can be given a blessing better and greater than patience.”
2:549 Narrated by Abu Huraira
Allah’s Apostle said, “By Him in Whose Hand my life is, it is better for anyone of you to take a rope and cut the wood (from the forest) and carry it over his back and sell it (as a means of earning his living) rather than to ask a person for something and that person may give him or not.”
2:550 Narrated by Az-Zubair bin Al’Awwam
The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “It is better for anyone of you to take a rope (and cut) and bring a bundle of wood (from the forest) over his back and sell it and Allah will save his face (from the Hell-Fire) because of that, rather than to ask the people who may give him or not.”
2:551 Narrated by ‘Urwa bin Az-Zubair and Said bin Al-Musaiyab
Hakim bin Hizam said, “(Once) I asked Allah’s Apostle (for something) and he gave it to me. Again I asked and he gave (it to me). Again I asked and he gave (it to me). And then he said, “O Hakim! This property is like a sweet fresh fruit; whoever takes it without greediness, he is blessed in it, and whoever takes it with greediness, he is not blessed in it, and he is like a person who eats but is never satisfied; and the upper (giving) hand is better than the lower (receiving) hand.” Hakim added, “I said to Allah’s Apostle , ‘By Him (Allah) Who sent you with the Truth, I shall never accept anything from anybody after you, till I leave this world.’ ” Then Abu Bakr (during his caliphate) called Hakim to give him his share from the war booty (like the other companions of the Prophet ), he refused to accept anything. Then ‘Umar (during his caliphate) called him to give him his share but he refused. On that ‘Umar said, “O Muslims! I would like you to witness that I offered Hakim his share from this booty and he refused to take it.” So Hakim never took anything from anybody after the Prophet till he died.
CHAPTER 35. The one whom Allah gives something without his asking for it or without avarice for it.
2:552 Narrated by ‘Umar
Allah’s Apostle used to give me something but I would say to him, “would you give it to a poorer and more needy one than l?” The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said to me, “Take it. If you are given something from this property, without asking for it or having greed for it take it; and if not given, do not run for it.”
CHAPTER 36. Whoever asks the people (for something) so as to increase his wealth.
2:553 Narrated by ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar
The Prophet said, “A man keeps on asking others for something till he comes on the Day of Resurrection without any piece of flesh on his face.” The Prophet added, “On the Day of Resurrection, the Sun will come near (to, the people) to such an extent that the sweat will reach up to the middle of the ears, so, when all the people are in that state, they will ask Adam for help, and then Moses, and then Muhammad (p.b.u.h) .” The sub-narrator added “Muhammad will intercede with Allah to judge amongst the people. He will proceed on till he will hold the ring of the door (of Paradise) and then Allah will exalt him to Maqam Mahmud (the privilege of intercession, etc.). And all the people of the gathering will send their praises to Allah.
CHAPTER 37. Limit of enough substance to make one contended and to abstain from begging.
2:557 Narrated by Salim bin ‘Abdullah from his father
Allah’s Apostle said, “The poor person is not the one who goes round the people and ask them for a mouthful or two (of meals) or a date or two but the poor is that who has not enough (money) to satisfy his needs and whose condition is not known to others, that others may give him something in charity, and who does not beg of people.”
CHAPTER 38. (The lawfulness of) estimating the amount of the date-fruits while they are still on the palms for the sake of taking the Zakat.
2:559 Narrated by Abu Huraira
We took part in the holy battle of Tabuk in the company of the Prophet and when we arrived at the Wadi-al-Qura, there was a woman in her garden. The Prophet asked his companions to estimate the amount of the fruits in the garden, and Allah’s Apostle estimated it at ten Awsuq (One Wasaq = 60 Sa’s) and 1 Sa’= 3 kg. approximately). The Prophet said to that lady, “Check what your garden will yield.” When we reached Tabuk, the Prophet said, “There will be a strong wind to-night and so no one should stand and whoever has a camel, should fasten it.” So we fastened our camels. A strong wind blew at night and a man stood up and he was blown away to a mountain called Taiy, The King of Aila sent a white mule and a sheet for wearing to the Prophet as a present, and wrote to the Prophet that his people would stay in their place (and will pay Jizya taxation.)
When the Prophet reached Wadi-al-Qura he asked that woman how much her garden had yielded. She said, “Ten Awsuq,” and that was what Allah’s Apostle had estimated. Then the Prophet said, “I want to reach Medina quickly, and whoever among you wants to accompany me, should hurry up.” The sub-narrator Ibn Bakkar said something which meant: When the Prophet (p.b.u.h) saw Medina he said, “This is Taba.” And when he saw the mountain of Uhud, he said, “This mountain loves us and we love it. Shall I tell you of the best amongst the Ansar?” They replied in the affirmative. He said, “The family of Bani-n-Najjar, and then the family of Bani Sa’ida or Bani Al-Harith bin Al-Khazraj. (The above-mentioned are the best) but there is goodness in all the families of Ansar.”
CHAPTER 39. ‘Ushr (i.e. one-tenth of the yield be levied as Zakât) is to be imposed on the yield of the land which is either irrigated by rain or the running water channel.
2:560 Narrated by Salim bin ‘Abdullah from his father
The Prophet said, “On a land irrigated by rain water or by natural water channels or if the land is wet due to a near by water channel Ushr (i.e. one-tenth) is compulsory (as Zakat); and on the land irrigated by the well, half of an Ushr (i.e. one-twentieth) is compulsory (as Zakat on the yield of the land).”
CHAPTER 40. Zakât of dates should be taken during their plucking season. Can a child touch the dates collected as Zakât.
2:562 Narrated by Abu Huraira
Dates used to be brought to Allah’s Apostle immediately after being plucked. Different persons would bring their dates till a big heap collected (in front of the Prophet). Once Al-Hasan and Al-Husain were playing with these dates. One of them took a date and put it in his mouth. Allah’s Apostle looked at him and took it out from his mouth and said, “Don’t you know that Muhammad’s offspring do not eat what is given in charity?”
CHAPTER 41. Can one buy the thing which he has given in charity? There is no harm in buying what was given as Zakât by someone else.
2:567 Narrated by ‘Umar
Once I gave a horse in Allah’s Cause (in charity) but that person did not take care of it. I intended to buy it, as I thought he would sell it at a low price. So, I asked the Prophet (p.b.u.h) about it. He said, “Neither buy, nor take back your alms which you have given, even if the seller were willing to sell it for one Dirham, for he who takes back his alms is like the one who swallows his own vomit.”
CHAPTER 42. As-Sadaqa (alms) for the freed slave-girls of the wives of the Prophet, (do they accept things given in charity)?
2:569 Narrated by Ibn Abbas
The Prophet saw a dead sheep which had been given in charity to a freed slavegirl of Maimuna, the wife of the Prophet . The Prophet said, “Why don’t you get the benefit of its hide?” They said, “It is dead.” He replied, “Only to eat (its meat) is illegal.”
CHAPTER 43. When As-Sadaqa (alms) is transferred.
2:572 Narrated by Anas
Some meat was presented to the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and it had been given to Barira (the freed slave-girl of Aisha) in charity. He said, “This meat is a thing of charity for Barira but it is a gift for us.”
CHAPTER 44. Zakât should be taken from the rich (Muslims) and given to the poor (Muslims) wherever they are.
2:573 Narrated by Abu Ma’bad
(the slave of Ibn Abbas) Allah’s Apostle said to Muadh when he sent him to Yemen, “You will go to the people of the Scripture. So, when you reach there, invite them to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad is His Apostle. And if they obey you in that, tell them that Allah has enjoined on them five prayers in each day and night. And if they obey you in that tell them that Allah has made it obligatory on them to pay the Zakat which will be taken from the rich among them and given to the poor among them. If they obey you in that, then avoid taking the best of their possessions, and be afraid of the curse of an oppressed person because there is no screen between his invocation and Allah.”
CHAPTER 45. The invoking and supplicating Allah of the Imâm for the one who gives in charity.
2:574 Narrated by ‘Abdullah bin Abu Aufa
Whenever a person came to the Prophet with his alms, the Prophet would say, “O Allah! Send your Blessings upon so and so.” My father went to the Prophet with his alms and the Prophet said, “O Allah! Send your blessings upon the offspring of Abu Aufa.”
CHAPTER 46. (Is Zakât imposed on) what is taken out of the sea (or not)?
2:574 Narrated by Abu Huraira
The Prophet said, “A man from Bani Israel asked someone from Bani Israel to give him a loan of one thousand Dinars and the later gave it to him. The debtor went on a voyage (when the time for the payment of the debt became due) but he did not find a boat, so he took a piece of wood and bored it and put 1000 diners in it and threw it into the sea. The creditor went out and took the piece of wood to his family to be used as fire-wood.” (See Hadith No. 488 B, Vol. 3). And the Prophet narrated the narration (and said), “When he sawed the wood, he found his money.”
CHAPTER 47. There is Khumus on Rikâz (buried treasure or wealth).
2:575 Narrated by Abu Huraira
Allah’s Apostle said, “There is no compensation for one killed or wounded by an animal or by falling in a well, or because of working in mines; but Khumus is compulsory on Rikaz.”
CHAPTER 48. The Statement of Allah : “And those employed to collect the (funds)” (V.9:60). (Those employees working for the collection of Zakât, compulsory funds, etc. are to be paid officially). And the Imâm is to (supervise) and check the work of the collectors.
2:576 Narrated by Abu Humaid Al-Sa’idi
Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) appointed a man called Ibn Al-Lutbiya, from the tribe of Al-Asd to collect Zakat from Bani Sulaim. When he returned, (after collecting the Zakat) the Prophet checked the account with him.
CHAPTER 49. Branding the camels given in As-Sadaqa (Zakât by the Imâm with his own hands.
2:578 Narrated by Anas bin Malik
Took ‘Abdullah bin Abu Talha to Allah’s Apostle to perform Tahnik for him. (Tahnik was a custom among the Muslims that whenever a child was born they used to take it to the Prophet who would chew a piece of date and put a part of its juice in the child’s mouth). I saw the Prophet and he had an instrument for branding in his hands and was branding the camels of Zakat.
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