Book 6: Zakat

Ibn ‘Abbas told how, when this verse was revealed, "And those who hoard gold and silver…”* the Muslims were grieved about it and ‘Umar told them he would dispel their care. He therefore went and told God’s Prophet that his companions were grieved by this verse, and received the reply, "God has made the zakat obligatory simply to purify your remaining property, and He made inheritances obligatory (mentioning a word)** that they might come to those who survive you.” 'Umar then said, "God is most great,” after which he said to him, "Let me inform you about the best a man hoards; it is a virtuous woman who pleases him when he looks at her, obeys him when he gives her a command, and guards his interests when he is away from her." Abu Dawud transmitted it. * Qur'an 9: 34. ** i.e. a word about which Ibn ‘Abbas was uncertain.

Jabir b. ‘Atik reported God’s messenger as saying, “Riders who are rendered objects of dislike to you* will come to you, but you must welcome them when they come to you and give them a free hand regarding what they desire. If they are just they will receive credit for it, but if they are unjust they will be held responsible. Please them, for the perfection of your zakat consists in their good pleasure, and let them ask a blessing for you." Abu Dawud transmitted it. * These are collectors of zakat.

Jarir b. ‘Abdallah told of some people, meaning nomadic Arabs, who came to God’s messenger and said, “Collectors of sadaqa come to us and act unjustly.” He told them to please the collectors who came to them, and when they asked if they must do so even if they wronged them, he replied, “Please those who collect sadaqa from you, even if you are wronged.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Bashir b. al-Khasasiya said they told how the collectors of sadaqa went over the score and asked whether they might conceal their property to the extent to which they went over the score, but [the Prophet] told them that they must not. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Rafi‘ b. Khadij reported God’s messenger as saying, “The official who collects sadaqa in a just manner is like him who fights in God’s path till he returns home." Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

‘Amr b. Shu'aib on his father’s authority said his grandfather reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, “There is to be no collecting of sadaqa from a distance, nor must people who own property remove it far away,* for their sadaqat are to be received only in their dwellings.” Abu Dawud transmitted it. * The point is that the collector of zakat must not make people bring their animals a long distance to him, and they must not remove their animals to a distance when he is coming to collect zakat.

Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who acquires property is not liable for zakat on it till a year passes.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, mentioning that a number traced the tradition no farther back than Ibn ‘Umar.

Ali said that al-'Abbas asked God’s messenger about paying his sadaqa in advance before it became due, and he gave him permission to do that. Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

‘Amr b. Shu'aib on his father’s authority said that his grandfather told of the Prophet (ﷺ) addressing the people and saying, “If anyone is guardian of an orphan who owns property, he must trade with it and not leave it till the sadaqa consumes it." Tirmidhi transmitted it, adding that its isnad has been criticised because al-Muthanna b. as- Sabbah was weak.