Obligatory Charity Tax (Zakat)

The obligation of Zakat

Allah Almighty said:

وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُواْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ

And be steadfast in prayer; practice regular charity; (2:43)

Hadith # 1395

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

The Prophet (ﷺ) sent Mu`adh to Yemen and said,

- "Invite the people to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and I am Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), 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."

Hadith # 1396

Narrated Abu Aiyub:

A man said to the Prophet (ﷺ) "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 (ﷺ) said, "He has something to ask. (What he needs greatly) The Prophet (ﷺ) 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."

Hadith # 1397

Narrated Abu Huraira:

A Bedouin came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "Tell me of such a deed as will make me enter Paradise, if I do it." The Prophet (pbuh) 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 (ﷺ) said, "Whoever likes to see a man of Paradise, then he may look at this man."

Narrated Abu Zur'a:

From the Prophet (ﷺ) the same as above.

Hadith # 1398

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

A delegation of the tribe of `Abdul Qais came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! We are from the tribe of Rabi`a, and the infidels of the tribe of Mudar stands between us and you; so we cannot come to you except during the Sacred Months. Please order us to do something (religious deeds) which we may carry out and also invite to it our people whom we have left behind."

The Prophet said, "I order you to do four things and forbid you four others:

- I order you to have faith in Allah, and confess that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, (and the Prophet (ﷺ) gestured with his hand like this (i.e. one knot)

- and to offer prayers perfectly

- and to pay the Zakat,

- and to pay onefifth of the booty in Allah's Cause.

- And I forbid you to use Dubba', Hantam, Naqir and Muzaffat

(all these are the names of utensils used for preparing alcoholic drinks)."

Hadith # 1399, 1400

Narrated Abu Huraira:

When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 Messenger (ﷺ) 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 Messenger (ﷺ) . 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."

To give Bai'a (pledge) for paying Zakat

Hadith # 1401

Narrated Jarir bin `Abdullah:

I gave the pledge of allegiance to the Prophet (ﷺ) for offering prayer perfectly, giving Zakat, and giving good advice to every Muslim.

The sin of a person who does not pay Zakat

Hadith # 1402

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) added, "One of their rights is that they should be milked while water is kept in front of them."

The Prophet (ﷺ) 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."

Hadith # 1403

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 baldheaded 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 (ﷺ) recited the holy verses:--

وَلَا يَحۡسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَبۡخَلُونَ ... سَيُطَوَّقُونَ مَا بَخِلُواْ بِهِۦ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ‌ۗ

And let not those who covetously withhold of the gifts which Allah hath given them of His Grace,

think that it is good for them: nay, it will be the worse for them:

soon shall the things which they covetously withheld be tied to their necks like a twisted collar, on the Day of Judgment. (3:180)

A property from which the Zakat is paid is not hoarded-money

Hadith # 1404

Narrated Khalid bin Aslam:

We went out with 'Abdullah bin 'Umar and a bedouin said (to 'Abdullah), "Tell me about Allah's saying:

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَكۡنِزُونَ ٱلذَّهَبَ وَٱلۡفِضَّةَ وَلَا يُنفِقُونَہَا فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ

And there are those who bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah: (9:34

Ibn 'Umar said,

"Whoever hoarded them and did not pay the Zakat thereof, then woe to him. But these holy Verses were revealed before the Verses of Zakat. So when the Verses of Zakat were revealed, Allah made Zakat a purifier of the property."

Hadith # 1405

Narrated Abu Sa`id:

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) 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.)

Hadith # 1406

Narrated Zaid bin Wahab:

I passed by a place called Ar-Rabadha and by chance I met Abu Dhar and asked him, "What has brought you to this place?" He said, "I was in Sham and differed with Muawiya on the meaning of (the following verses of the Qur'an):

'They who hoard up gold and silver and spend them not in the way of Allah.' (9.34).

Muawiya said, 'This verse is revealed regarding the people of the scriptures." I said, It was revealed regarding us and also the people of the scriptures." So we had a quarrel and Mu'awiya sent a complaint against me to `Uthman. `Uthman wrote to me to come to Medina, and I came to Medina.

Many people came to me as if they had not seen me before. So I told this to `Uthman who said to me, "You may depart and live nearby if you wish."

That was the reason for my being here for even if an Ethiopian had been nominated as my ruler, I would have obeyed him .

Hadith # 1407, 1408

Narrated Al-Ahnaf bin Qais:

While I was sitting with some people from Quraish, a man with very rough hair, clothes, and appearance came and stood in front of us, greeted us and said,

"Inform those who hoard wealth, that a stone will be heated in the Hell-fire and will be put on the nipples of their breasts till it comes out from the bones of their shoulders and then put on the bones of their shoulders till it comes through the nipples of their breasts the stone will be moving and hitting."

After saying that, the person retreated and sat by the side of the pillar, I followed him and sat beside him, and I did not know who he was. I said to him, "I think the people disliked what you had said." He said, "These people do not understand anything, although my friend told me."

I asked, "Who is your friend?" He said, "The Prophet (ﷺ) said (to me), 'O Abu Dhar! Do you see the mountain of Uhud?' And on that I (Abu Dhar) started looking towards the sun to judge how much remained of the day as I thought that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) wanted to send me to do something for him and I said, 'Yes!' He said, 'I do not love to have gold equal to the mountain of Uhud unless I spend it all (in Allah's cause) except three Dinars (pounds).

These people do not understand and collect worldly wealth. No, by Allah, Neither I ask them for worldly benefits nor am I in need of their religious advice till I meet Allah, The Honorable, The Majestic." '

To spend money in the right way

Hadith # 1409

Narrated Ibn Mas`ud:

I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying,

- "There is no envy except in two: a person whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in the right way,

- and a person whom Allah has given wisdom (i.e. religious knowledge) and he gives his decisions accordingly and teaches it to the others."

Giving alms for showing off

Allah Almighty said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تُبۡطِلُواْ صَدَقَـٰتِكُم بِٱلۡمَنِّ وَٱلۡأَذَىٰ ... وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهۡدِى ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ  

 O ye who believe!

cancel not your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury,

like those who spend their substance to be seen of men, but believe neither in Allah nor in the last day.

They are in Parable like a hard, barren rock, on which is a little soil; on it falls heavy rain, which leaves it (just) a bare stone.

They will be able to do nothing with aught they have earned. And Allah guideth not those who reject faith.

No charity is accepted from what is grabbed from the war booty in an illegal way

Because Allah says:

قَوْلٌ مَعْرُوفٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ يَتْبَعُهَا أَذًى وَاللَّهُ غَنِيٌّ حَلِيمٌ

Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury.

Allah is free of all wants, and He is Most Forbearing. (2:263)

As-Sadaqa must be from money earned honestly

Allah says:

وَيُرْبِي الصَّدَقَاتِ وَاللَّهُ لا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ أَثِيمٍ ‏‏‏‏

Allah will deprive usury of all blessing, but will give increase for deeds of charity: for He loveth not creatures ungrateful and wicked (2:276)

Hadith # 1410

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said,

"If one give in charity what equals one date-fruit from the honestly earned money and Allah accepts only the honestly earned money --Allah takes it in His right (hand) and 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."

To practise charity before such time when nobody would accept it

Hadith # 1411

Narrated Haritha bin Wahab:

I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) 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 today I am not in need of it."

Hadith # 1412

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) 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.' "

Hadith # 1413

Narrated `Adi bin Hatim:

While I was sitting with Allah's Messenger (pbuh) two person came to him; one of them complained about his poverty and the other complained about the prevalence of robberies. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 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 hall datefruit, then (you can do it through saying) a good pleasant word (to your brethren).

Hadith # 1414

Narrated Abu Musa:

Thy Prophet (pbuh) 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. "

"Protect yourself from Hell-fire even with half a date"

And in the Qur'an:

وَمَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمۡوَٲلَهُمُ ٱبۡتِغَآءَ مَرۡضَاتِ ٱللَّهِ ... لَهُ ۥ فِيهَا مِن ڪُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ

And the likeness of those who spend their substance, seeking to please Allah

and to strengthen their souls, is as a garden, high and fertile:

heavy rain falls on it but makes it yield a double increase of harvest,

and if it receives not heavy rain, light moisture sufficeth it. Allah seeth well whatever ye do.

Does any of you wish that he should have a garden with date-palms and vines

and streams flowing underneath, and all kinds of fruit, (2:265,266)

Hadith # 1415

Narrated Abu Mas`ud:

When the verses of charity were revealed, we used to work as porters. A man came and distributed objects of charity in abundance. And they (the people) said, "He is showing off." And another man came and gave a Sa (a small measure of food grains); they said, "Allah is not in need of this small amount of charity." And then the Divine Inspiration came

ٱلَّذِينَ يَلۡمِزُونَ ٱلۡمُطَّوِّعِينَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ فِى ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتِ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ إِلَّا جُهۡدَهُمۡ

"Those who criticize such of the believers who give in charity voluntarily

and those who could not find to give in charity except what is available to them." (9.79).

Hadith # 1416

Narrated Abu Mas`ud Al-Ansari:

Whenever Allah's Messenger (pbuh) 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 today some of us have one hundred thousand.

Hadith # 1417

Narrated `Adi bin Hatim heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying:

"Save yourself from Hell-fire even by giving half a date-fruit in charity."

Hadith # 1418

Narrated 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 (ﷺ) 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."

What kind of As-Sadaqa (charity) is superior?

Hadith # 1419

Narrated Abu Huraira:

A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and asked, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! 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)."

Hadith # 1420

Narrated `Aisha:

Some of the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) and she used to love to practice charity.

Sauda died later in the caliphate of Muawiya.

To give in charity openly

And Allah Almighty said in Surah Al-Baqarah:

‏‏‏‏ الَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ سِرًّا وَعَلانِيَةً إِلَى قَوْلِهِ وَلا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public,

have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (2:274)

To give in charity secretly

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The prophet (pbuh) said:

A person gave charity and hid it in such a way that his left hand did not know what his right hand had spent.”

And Allah said:

إِنْ تُبْدُوا الصَّدَقَاتِ فَنِعِمَّا هِيَ ۖ ... وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ

If ye disclose (acts of) charity, even so it is well, but if ye conceal them,

and make them reach those (really) in need, that is best for you:

it will remove from you some of your (stains of) evil. And Allah is well acquainted with what ye do. (2:271)

If one gives an object of charity to a wealthy person unknowingly

Hadith # 1421

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (pbuh) 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."

If a person gives something in charity to his own son unknowingly

Hadith # 1422

Narrated Ma'n bin Yazid:

My grandfather, my father and I gave the pledge of allegiance to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) got me engaged and then got me married. One day I went to the Prophet (ﷺ) 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 Messenger (ﷺ) .

On that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "O Yazid, you will be rewarded for what you intended. O Ma'n, whatever you have taken is yours."

To give objects of charity with the right hand

Hadith # 1423

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Seven people will be shaded by Allah under His shade on the day when there will be no shade except His. They are:

(1) a just ruler;

(2) a young man who has been brought up in the worship of Allah, (i.e. worship Allah (Alone) sincerely from his childhood),

(3) a man whose heart is attached to the mosque (who offers the five compulsory congregational prayers in the mosque);

(4) two persons who love each other only for Allah's sake and they meet and part in Allah's cause only;

(5) a man who refuses the call of a charming woman of noble birth for an illegal sexual intercourse with her and says: I am afraid of Allah;

(6) a person who practices charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given (i.e. nobody knows how much he has given in charity).

(7) a person who remembers Allah in seclusion and his eyes get flooded with tears."

Hadith # 1424

Narrated Haritha bin Wahab Al-Khuza`i:

I heard the Prophet (pbuh) saying,

"(O people!) Give in charity (for Allah's cause) because a time will come when a person will carry his object of charity from place to place (and he will not find any person to take it) and any person whom he shall request to take it, I will reply, 'If you had brought it yesterday I would have taken it, but today I am not in need of it."

Whoever ordered his servant to give something in charity

Hadith # 1425

Narrated `Aisha:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 . "

The wealthy only are required to give in charity

Hadith # 1426

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"The best charity is that which is practiced by a wealthy person. And start giving first to your dependents."

Hadith # 1427, 1428

Narrated Hakim bin Hizam:

The Prophet (ﷺ) 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."

Hadith # 1429

Narrated Ibn `Umar:

I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (pbuh) 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."

The one who follows up his charitable gifts with reminders of generosity

Because Allah said:

ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمۡوَٲلَهُمۡ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ لَا يُتۡبِعُونَ مَآ أَنفَقُواْ مَنًّ۬ا وَلَآ أَذً۬ى‌

Those who spend their substance in the Cause of Allah, and follow not up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, (2:262)

Whoever loves to give something in charity on the very day

Hadith # 1430

Narrated `Uqba bin Al-Harith:

Once the Prophet (ﷺ) offered the `Asr prayer and then hurriedly went to his house and returned immediately. I (or somebody else) asked him (as to what was the matter) and he said,

"I left at home a piece of gold which was from the charity and I disliked to let it remain a night in my house, so I got it distributed . "

To exhort one to give in charity

Hadith # 1431

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

The Prophet (ﷺ) went out for the `Id prayer on the `Id day and offered a two rak`at prayer; and he neither offered a prayer before it or after it. Then he went towards the women along with Bilal. He preached them and ordered them to give in charity. And some (amongst the women) started giving their forearm bangles and earrings.

Hadith # 1432

Narrated Abu Burda bin Abu Musa:

That his father said, "Whenever a beggar came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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."

Hadith # 1433

Narrated Asma:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said to me,

"Do not withhold your money, (for if you did so) Allah would withhold His blessings from you."

Narrated `Abda:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said,

"Do not withhold your money by counting it (i.e. hoarding it), (for if you did so), Allah would also withhold His blessings from you."

To give in charity as much as you can afford

Hadith # 1434

Narrated Asma' bint Abu Bakr:

She had gone to the Prophet (ﷺ) and he said,

"Do not shut your money bag; otherwise Allah too will withhold His blessings from you. Spend (in Allah's Cause) as much as you can afford. "

As-Sadaqa (charity) expiates sins

Hadith # 1435

Narrated Abu Wail:

Hudhaifa said, "`Umar said, 'Who amongst you remembers the statement of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (pbuh) about afflictions'?'

I said, 'I know it as the Prophet (ﷺ) had said it.' `Umar said, 'No doubt, you are bold. How did he say it?'

 said, 'A man's afflictions (wrong deeds) concerning his wife, children and neighbors are expiated by (his) prayers, charity, and enjoining good.' (

The sub-narrator Sulaiman added that he said, 'The prayer, charity, enjoining good and forbidding evil.

'`Umar said, 'I did not mean that, but I ask about that affliction which will spread like the waves of the sea.'

I said, 'O chief of the believers! You need not be afraid of it as there is a closed door between you and it.'

He asked, 'Will the door be broken or opened?' I replied, 'No, it will be broken.'

He said, 'Then, if it is broken, it will never be closed again?' I replied, 'Yes.' "

Then we were afraid to ask what that door was, so we asked Masruq to inquire, and he asked Hudhaifa regarding it.

Hudhaifa said, "The door was `Umar. "

We further asked Hudhaifa whether `Umar knew what that door meant. Hudhaifa replied in the affirmative and added, "He knew it as one knows that there will be a night before the tomorrow morning."

Who gave charity while he was a Mushrik and then embraced Islam

Hadith # 1436

Narrated Hakim bin Hizam:

I said to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), "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 (ﷺ) replied, "You became Muslim with all those good deeds (Without losing their reward)."

The servant gets a reward for giving charity when ordered by the owner

Hadith # 1437

Narrated `Aisha:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said,

"When a woman gives in charity from her husband's meals without wasting the property of her husband, she will get a reward for it, and her husband too will get a reward for what he earned and the storekeeper will have the reward likewise."

Hadith # 1438

Narrated Abu Musa:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said,

"An honest Muslim storekeeper 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."

The reward of the lady who gives in charity, from her husband house

Hadith # 1439

Narrated 'Aisha:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "If a woman gives in charity from her husband's house ..." (See next hadith)

Hadith # 1440

Narrated `Aisha:

The Prophet (pbuh) also said,

"If a lady gives meals (in charity) from her husband's house without spoiling her husband's property, she will get a reward and her husband will also get a reward likewise. The husband will get a reward because of his earnings and the woman because of her spending."

Hadith # 1441

Narrated `Aisha:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said,

"When a woman gives in charity from her house meals in Allah's Cause without spoiling her husband's property, she will get a reward for it, and her husband will also get the reward for his earnings and the storekeeper will get a reward likewise."

The Statement of Allah

فَأَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطَى وَاتَّقَى ... فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ لِلْعُسْرَى 

"As for the one who is charitable, mindful of Allah, and firmly believes in the finest reward,

We will facilitate for them the Way of Ease. And as for the one who is stingy, indifferent to Allah,

and staunchly denies the finest reward, We will facilitate for them the path of hardship.' (92:5-10)

Hadith # 1442

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) 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.' "

The examples of an alms-giver and a miser

Hadith # 1443

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said,

"The example of a miser and an almsgiver is like the example of two persons wearing iron cloaks."

;Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) also said,

"The example of an almsgiver 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 almsgiver 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). 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.

Hadith # 1444

See previous hadith.

Giving in charity from the earnings and trade

Allah Almighty said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنْفِقُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ ,,, وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ حَ مِيدٌ

O ye who believe! give of the good things which ye have (honorably) earned,

and of the fruits of the earth which We have produced for you, and do not even aim at getting anything which is bad,

in order that out of it ye may give away something, when ye yourselves would not receive it except with closed eyes.

And know that Allah is free of all wants, and worthy of all praise. (2:267)

Every Muslim has to give in charity

Hadith # 1445

Narrated Abu Musa Ash'ari:

The Prophet (ﷺ) 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."

How much is Zakat, and how much may be given in charity?

Hadith # 1446

Narrated 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 (ﷺ) said to her, "Bring it as it has reached its place."

The Zakat of silver

Hadith # 1447

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said,

"There is no Zakat on less than five camels and also there is no Zakat on less than five Awaq (of silver).

And there is no Zakat on less than five Awsuq. (A special measure of food-grains),

Narrated Abi Sa`id Al-Khudri:

I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying as above.

Zakat may be paid in kind

Hadith # 1448

Narrated Anas:

Abu Bakr wrote to me what Allah had instructed His Apostle (pbuh) 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 .

Hadith # 1449

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

I am a witness that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) offered the Id prayer before delivering the sermon and then he thought that the women would not be able to hear him (because of the distance), so he went to them along with Bilal who was spreading his garment. The Prophet (ﷺ) advised and ordered them to give in charity. So the women started giving their ornaments (in charity).

The sub-narrator Aiyub pointed towards his ears and neck meaning that they gave ornaments from those places such as earrings and necklaces.

When taking Zakat, separate property should not be combined and combined should not be separated.

Hadith # 1450

Narrated Anas:

Abu Bakr wrote to me what was made compulsory by Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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.

Property is equally owned by two partners, its Zakat to be paid whole

Hadith # 1451

Narrated Anas:

Abu Bakr wrote to me what Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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.

The Zakat of camels

Hadith # 1452

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:

A Bedouin asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) about the emigration. The Prophet (pbuh) 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 (ﷺ) said, Work beyond the seas and Allah will not decrease (waste) any of your good deeds."

Whoever has to pay a one-year-old she-camel as Zakat and has not got it

Hadith # 1453

Narrated 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 

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.

The Zakat of sheep

Hadith # 1454

Narrated Anas:

When Abu Bakr; sent me to (collect the Zakat from) Bahrain, 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 Messenger (ﷺ) 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 and whoever is asked more than that what is specified  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 Jadha 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-hundredand 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.'

Neither an old, nor a defective animal, nor a male-goat be taken as Zakat

Hadith # 1455

Narrated 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).

To accept a young (female) goat as Zakat

Hadith # 1456, 1457

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Abu Bakr said, "By Allah! If they (pay me the Zakat and) withhold even a young (female) goat which they used to pay during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), I will fight with them for it." `

Umar said, "It was nothing but Allah Who opened Abu Bakr's chest towards the decision to fight, and I came to know that his decision was right."

"Do not take the best from the property as Zakat"

Hadith # 1458

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (pbuh) sent Mu`adh 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."

There is no Zakat for less than five camels

Hadith # 1459

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said,

"No Zakat is imposed on less than five Awsuq of dates; no Zakat is imposed on less than five Awaq of silver, and no Zakat is imposed on less than five camels."

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said,

"No Zakat is imposed on less than five Awsuq of dates;

no Zakat is imposed on less than five Awaq of silver,

and no Zakat is imposed on less than five camels."

Hadith # 1460

Narrated Abu Dhar:

Once I went to him (the Prophet (ﷺ) ) and he said,

"By Allah in Whose Hands my life is  whoever had camels or cows or sheep and did not pay their Zakat, those animals will be brought on the Day of Resurrection far bigger and fatter than before and they will tread him under their hooves, and will butt him with their horns, and those animals will come in circle: When the last does its turn, the first will start again, and this punishment will go on till Allah has finished the judgments amongst the people."

The giving of Zakat to relatives

Hadith # 1461

Narrated 'Is-haq 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 (ﷺ) . Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to go there and used to drink its nice water."

Anas added, "When these verses were revealed:--

لَنْ تَنَالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنْفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ

'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 Messenger (ﷺ) 'O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! 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 Messenger (ﷺ)! 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."

Hadith # 1462

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:

On `Id ul Fitr or `Id ul Adha Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (pbuh) 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 Messenger (ﷺ)! 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 Mas`ud, came and asked permission to enter It was said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! 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 Mas`ud said that he and his children deserved it more than anybody else."

The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "Ibn Mas`ud had spoken the truth. Your husband and your children had more right to it than anybody else."

No Zakat on the horse of a Muslim

Hadith # 1463

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "There is no Zakat either on a horse or a slave belonging to a Muslim."

No Zakat on the slave belonging to a Muslim

Hadith # 1464

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "There is no Zakat either on a slave or on a horse belonging to a Muslim."

Giving in charity to orphans

Hadith # 1465

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:

Once the Prophet (ﷺ) 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 Messenger (ﷺ)! Can the good bring forth evil?"

The Prophet (ﷺ) remained silent for a while. It was said to that person, "What is wrong with you? You are talking to the Prophet (pbuh) while he is not talking to you." Then we noticed that he was being inspired divinely.

Then the Prophet (ﷺ) wiped off his sweat and said, "Where is the questioner?" It seemed as if the Prophet (ﷺ) 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.  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."

The giving of Zakat to husband and to orphans

Hadith # 1466

Narrated `Amr bin Al-Harith:

Zainab, the wife of `Abdullah said, "I was in the Mosque and saw the Prophet (pbuh) 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 Messenger (ﷺ) 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 Messenger (ﷺ) ?"

Zainab added: So I went to the Prophet and I saw there an Ansari woman who was standing at the door (of the Prophet (ﷺ) ) with a similar problem as mine. Bilal passed by us and we asked him, 'Ask the Prophet (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) about us. So Bilal went inside and asked the Prophet (ﷺ) regarding our problem.

The Prophet (pbuh) asked, "Who are those two?" Bilal replied that she was Zainab. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Which Zainab?" Bilal said, "The wife of `Abdullah (bin Mas`ud)." 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."

Hadith # 1467

Narrated Zainab:

My mother Um Salam said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! 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 (ﷺ) replied, "Spend on them and you will get a reward for what you spend on them."

Expenses of Zakat

And it is narrated from Ibn Abbas, that he can free a slave from his Zakat and give it for Hajj.

And Imam Hasan Basri, said that if someone frees himself from the wealth of Zakat by buying a slave, then it is permissible.

And Zakat should also be given for the expenses of Mujahideen.

Likewise, Zakat can be given to a person who has not performed Hajj. (so that he can perform Hajj with this aid)

Allah said in surah tawbah:

إِنَّمَا ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتُ لِلۡفُقَرَآءِ وَٱلۡمَسَـٰكِينِ ... وَفِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱبۡنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ‌ۖ

Alms are for the poor and the needy,.. and those employed to administer the (funds);

for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to truth);

for those in bondage and in debt; in the Cause of Allah; and for the wayfarer: (9:60)

Hadith # 1468

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) 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 Jamil 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 (pbuh) and Zakat is compulsory on him and he should pay it double."

To abstain from begging

Hadith # 1469

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:

Some Ansari persons asked for (something) from Allah's Messenger (pbuh) 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."

Hadith # 1470

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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."

Hadith # 1471

Narrated Az-Zubair bin Al-`Awwam:

The Prophet (pbuh) 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."

Hadith # 1472

Narrated `Urwa bin Az-Zubair and Sa`id bin Al-Musaiyab:

Hakim bin Hizam said, "(Once) I asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (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 Messenger (ﷺ) , '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 (ﷺ) ), 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 (ﷺ) till he died.

One whom Allah gives something without his asking for it

Hadith # 1473

Narrated `Umar:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 (pbuh) 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."

Whoever asks the people to increase his wealth

Hadith # 1474, 1475

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:

The Prophet (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) 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 (pbuh) ."

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.

The Statement of Allah "... They do not beg people persistently. ..."

And the statement of the Prophet : "The person who does not find enough substance to make him contented."

And the Statement of Allah

لِلْفُقَرَاءِ الَّذِينَ أُحْصِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ... وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ

(Charity) is for Fuqara (the poor), who in Allah's Cause are restricted (from travel),

and cannot move about in the land, seeking (for trade or work).

The ignorant man thinks, because of their modesty, that they are free from want.

Thou shalt know them by their (unfailing) mark: they beg not importunately from all and sundry.

And whatever of good ye give, be assured Allah knoweth it well. (V.2:273)

Hadith # 1476

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said,

"The poor person is not the one who asks a morsel or two (of meals) from the others, but the poor is the one who has nothing and is ashamed to beg from others."

Hadith # 1477

Narrated Ash-Shu`bi:

The clerk of Al-Mughira bin Shu`ba narrated, "Muawiya wrote to Al-Mughira bin Shu`ba: Write to me something which you have heard from the Prophet (pbuh) ." So Al-Mughira wrote: I heard the Prophet saying,

"Allah has hated for you three things:

1. Vain talks, (useless talk) that you talk too much or about others.

2. Wasting of wealthb (by extravagance)

3. And asking too many questions (in disputed religious matters) or asking others for something (except in great need).

Hadith # 1478

Narrated Sa`d (bin Abi Waqqas):

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) distributed something (from the resources of Zakat) amongst a group of people while I was sitting amongst them, but he left a man whom I considered the best of the lot. So, I went up to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and asked him secretly, "Why have you left that person? By Allah! I consider him a believer."

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Or merely a Muslim (Who surrender to Allah)."

I remained quiet for a while but could not help repeating my question because of what I knew about him. I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Why have you left that person? By Allah! I consider him a believer. "

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Or merely a Muslim."

I remained quiet for a while but could not help repeating my question because of what I knew about him. I said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Why have you left that person? By Allah! I consider him a believer."

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Or merely a Muslim."

Then Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (pbuh) said,

"I give to a person while another is dearer to me, for fear that he may be thrown in the Hell-fire on his face (by reneging from Islam)."

Hadith # 1479

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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."

Hadith # 1480

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said,

"No doubt, it is better for a person to take a rope and proceed in the morning to the mountains and cut the wood and then sell it, and eat from this income and give alms from it than to ask others for something."

Estimating the date-fruits on the palms for Zakat

Hadith # 1481, 1482

Narrated Abu Humaid As-Sa`idi:

We took part in the holy battle of Tabuk in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) and when we arrived at the Wadi-al-Qura, there was a woman in her garden. The Prophet (ﷺ) asked his companions to estimate the amount of the fruits in the garden, and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) estimated it at ten Awsuq (One Wasaq = 60 Sa's) and 1 Sa'= 3 kg. approximately). The Prophet (ﷺ) said to that lady, "Check what your garden will yield."

When we reached Tabuk, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "There will be a strong wind tonight 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 (ﷺ) as a present, and wrote to the Prophet (ﷺ) that his people would stay in their place (and will pay Jizya taxation.)

When the Prophet (ﷺ) reached Wadi-al- Qura he asked that woman how much her garden had yielded. She said, "Ten Awsuq," and that was what Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had estimated. Then the Prophet (ﷺ) 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 (pbuh) 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."

One-twentieth on the yield of the land irrigated by rain or running water

Hadith # 1483

Narrated Salim bin `Abdullah from his father:

The Prophet (ﷺ) 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)."

There is no Zakat on less than five Awsuq

Hadith # 1484

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said,

"There is no Zakat on less than five Awsuq (of dates), or on less than five camels, or on less than five Awaq of silver."

Zakat of dates during plucking season

Hadith # 1485

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Dates used to be brought to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 Messenger (ﷺ) 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?"

Whoever sold his fruits, trees, land or crops and gave Zakat from other property

Hadith # 1486

Narrated Ibn `Umar:

The Prophet (ﷺ) had forbidden the sale of dates till they were good (ripe), and when it was asked what it meant, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Till there is no danger of blight."

Hadith # 1487

Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah:

The Prophet (ﷺ) had forbidden the sale of fruits till they were ripe (free from blight).

Hadith # 1488

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) forbade the selling of fruits until they were ripe. The Prophet (pbuh) added, "It means that they become red ."

Can one buy the thing which he has given in charity?

Hadith # 1489

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:

`Umar bin Al-Khattab gave a horse in charity in Allah's Cause and later he saw it being sold in the market and intended to purchase it. Then he went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and asked his permission. The Prophet said,

"Do not take back what you have given in charity."

For this reason, Ibn `Umar never purchased the things which he had given in charity, and in case he had purchased something (unknowingly) he would give it in charity again.

Hadith # 1490

Narrated `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 (pbuh) 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."

What is said regarding what is given to the Prophet (saws) and his offspring in charity

Hadith # 1491

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Al-Hasan bin `Ali took a date from the dates given in charity and put it in his mouth. The Prophet (ﷺ) said,

"Expel it from your mouth. Don't you know that we do not eat a thing which is given in charity?"

As-Sadaqa for the freed slave-girls of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ

Hadith # 1492

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

The Prophet (ﷺ) saw a dead sheep which had been given in charity to a freed slave-girl of Maimuna, the wife of the Prophet (ﷺ) .

The Prophet (ﷺ) 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."

Hadith # 1493

Narrated Al-Aswad:

`Aisha intended to buy Barira (a slave-girl) in order to manumit her and her masters intended to put the condition that her Al-wala would be for them.

`Aisha mentioned that to the Prophet (ﷺ) who said to her, "Buy her, as the "Wala" is for the manumitted."

Once some meat was presented to the Prophet (ﷺ) and `Aisha said to him,

"This (meat) was given in charity to Barira." He said, "It is an object of charity for Barira but a gift for us."

When alms is transferred

Hadith # 1494

Narrated Um 'Atiyya Al-Ansariya:

The Prophet (ﷺ) went to `Aisha and asked her whether she had something (to eat). She replied that she had nothing except the mutton (piece) which Nusaiba (Um 'Atiyya) had sent to us (Barira) in charity."

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "It has reached its place and now it is not a thing of charity but a gift for us."

Hadith # 1495

Narrated Anas:

Some meat was presented to the Prophet (pbuh) 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."

Zakat should be taken from the rich and given to the poor

Hadith # 1496

Narrated Abu Ma`bad:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said to Mu`adh 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."

The invoking and supplicating of the Imam for who gives in charity

Hadith # 1497

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abu Aufa :

Whenever a person came to the Prophet (ﷺ) with his alms, the Prophet (ﷺ) would say,

 "O Allah! Send your Blessings upon so and so."

My father went to the Prophet (ﷺ) with his alms and the Prophet (ﷺ) said,

"O Allah! Send your blessings upon the offspring of Abu Aufa."

Is Zakat imposed on what is taken out of the sea

Hadith # 1498

Narrated Abu Huraira

The Prophet (ﷺ) 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." And the Prophet (ﷺ) narrated the narration (and said), "When he sawed the wood, he found his money."

There is Khumus on Rikaz

Hadith # 1499

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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."

The Imam is to supervise and check the work of the collectors.

The Statement of Allah Almighty:

وَٱلۡعَـٰمِلِينَ عَلَيۡہَا

"... And those employed to collect (the funds) ..." (9:60)

Hadith # 1500

Narrated Abu Humaid Al-Sa`idi:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (pbuh) 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 (ﷺ) checked the account with him.

The use of the camels and their milk given as Zakat

Hadith # 1501

Narrated Anas:

Some people from `Uraina tribe came to Medina and its climate did not suit them, so Allah's Messenger (pbuh) allowed them to go to the herd of camels (given as Zakat) and they drank their milk and urine (as medicine) but they killed the shepherd and drove away all the camels. So Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sent (men) in their pursuit to catch them, and they were brought, and he had their hands and feet cut, and their eyes were branded with heated pieces of iron and they were left in the Harra (a stony place at Medina) biting the stones.

Branding the camels given in Zakat by the Imam with his own hands

Hadith # 1502

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

I took `Abdullah bin Abu Talha to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) who would chew a piece of date and put a part of its juice in the child's mouth).

I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) and he had an instrument for branding in his hands and was branding the camels of Zakat.

Obligation of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr

Hadith # 1503

Narrated Ibn `Umar:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) enjoined the payment of one Sa' (3 Kilograms) of dates or one Sa' of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young or old, and he ordered that it be paid before the people went out to offer the `Id prayer.

Sadaqat-ul-Fitr on the free or slave Muslims

Hadith # 1504

Narrated Ibn `Umar:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) made it incumbent on all the slave or free Muslims, male or female, to pay one Sa' of dates or barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr.

Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is one Sa' of barley

Hadith # 1505

Narrated Abu Sa`id:

We used to give one Sa' of barley as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (per head).

We used to give one Sa' of barley as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (per head).

Hadith # 1506

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:

We used to give one Sa' of meal or one Sa' of barley or one Sa' of dates, or one Sa' of cottage cheese or one Sa' of Raisins (dried grapes) as Zakat-ul-Fitr.

Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is one Sa' of dates (per head)

Hadith # 1507

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:

The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered (Muslims) to give one Sa' of dates or one Sa' of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr. The people rewarded two Mudds of wheat as equal to that.

The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered to give one Sa' of dates or Sa' of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr.

The people rewarded two Mudds of wheat as equal to that.

Hadith # 1508

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:

In the lifetime of the Prophet (ﷺ) we used to give one Sa' of food or one Sa' of dates or one Sa' of barley or one Sa' of Raisins (dried grapes) as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr. And when Muawiya became the Caliph and the wheat was (available in abundance) he said, "I think (observe) that one Mudd (of wheat) equals two Mudds (of any of the above mentioned things).

Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is to be given before the 'Eid prayers

Hadith # 1509

Narrated Ibn `Umar:

The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered the people to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr before going to the `Id prayer.

Hadith # 1510

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:

In the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) , we used to give one Sa' of food (edible things) as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (to the poor). Our food used to be either of barley, raisins (dried grapes), cottage cheese or dates.

Sadaqat-ul-Fitr on a slave as well as on a free Muslim

Hadith # 1511

Narrated Nafi`:

Ibn `Umar said,

"The Prophet (ﷺ) made incumbent on every male or female, free man or slave, the payment of one Sa' of dates or barley as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (or said Sadaqa-Ramadan)."

The people then substituted half Sa' of wheat for that.

Ibn `Umar used to give dates (as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr). Once there was scarcity of dates in Medina and Ibn `Umar gave barley. '

And Ibn `Umar used to give Sadaqat-ul- Fitr for every young and old person. He even used to give on behalf of my children.

Ibn `Umar used to give Sadaqat-ul-Fitr to those who had been officially appointed for its collection. People used to give Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (even) a day or two before the `Id.

Sadaqat-ul-Fitr is obligatory on the young and the old

Hadith # 1512

Narrated Ibn `Umar:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) has made Sadaqat-ul-Fitr obligatory, (and it was), either one Sa' of barley or one Sa' of dates (and its payment was obligatory) on young and old people, and on free men as well as on slaves.