Wealth & Money

كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ‌[1] أَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ عَلَيْهِ مَهْرُ امْرَأَتِهِ لَا تَطْلُبُهُ مِنْهُ إِمَّا لِرِفْقٍ بِزَوْجِهَا وَ إِمَّا حَيَاءً فَمَكَثَ بِذَلِكَ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ عُمُرَهُ وَ عُمُرَهَا يَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاةُ ذَلِكَ الْمَهْرِ أَمْ لَا فَكَتَبَ لَا يَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ الزَّكَاةُ إِلَّا فِي مَالِهِ.

“I once wrote to him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who owes Mahr of his woman who does not ask for payment due to sympathy or shyness. It goes on for their lifetime. Is he required to pay Zakat for that Mahr? He (the Imam) wrote, ‘Zakat is not due on him except for his assets.’”

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَنْسَى أَوْ يُعِينُ‌[2]- فَلَا يَزَالُ مَالُهُ دَيْناً كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ فِي زَكَاتِهِ قَالَ يُزَكِّيهِ وَ لَا يُزَكِّي مَا عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الدَّيْنِ إِنَّمَا الزَّكَاةُ عَلَى صَاحِبِ الْمَالِ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who does not collect what he has lent because of forgetfulness or the desire to help his borrowers so his assets continue to remain as loans.How must he deal with Zakat? He (the owner of the assets) not the borrower pays Zakat.’”

أَنَّهُمَا قَالا أَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ كَانَ لَهُ مَالٌ مَوْضُوعٌ حَتَّى يَحُولَ عَلَيْهِ الْحَوْلُ فَإِنَّهُ يُزَكِّيهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الدَّيْنِ مِثْلُهُ وَ أَكْثَرُ مِنْهُ فَلْيُزَكِّ مَا فِي يَدِهِ

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the two Imam, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, have said, ‘Whoever has an asset that remains with him for one year, he is required to pay its Zakat even if he owes to others an equal amount of asset or more. He is required to pay Zakat for what is in his hand.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ هَلْ لِلزَّكَاةِ وَقْتٌ مَعْلُومٌ تُعْطَى فِيهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ ذَلِكَ لَيَخْتَلِفُ فِي إِصَابَةِ الرَّجُلِ الْمَالَ وَ أَمَّا الْفِطْرَةُ فَإِنَّهَا مَعْلُومَةٌ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), Is there a definite time to pay Zakat? He (the Imam) said, ‘That depends on one’s earnings. However, the time for al-Fitrah is definite.”’

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَكُونُ لِي عَلَى الرَّجُلِ مَالٌ فَأَقْبِضُهُ مِنْهُ مَتَى أُزَكِّيهِ قَالَ إِذَا قَبَضْتَهُ فَزَكِّهِ قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أَقْبِضُ بَعْضَهُ فِي صَدْرِ السَّنَةِ وَ بَعْضَهُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَتَبَسَّمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا أَحْسَنَ مَا دَخَلْتَ فِيهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا قَبَضْتَهُ مِنْهُ فِي السِّتَّةِ الْأَشْهُرِ الْأُولَى فَزَكِّهِ لِسَنَتِهِ وَ مَا قَبَضْتَهُ بَعْدُ فِي السِّتَّةِ الْأَشْه

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that if I collect what I have lent to someone when must I pay Zakat? He (the Imam) said, ‘Pay when you collect it.’ I then said, ‘I collect a certain amount in a certain time of the year and another amount in another time of the year. He (the Imam) smiled and then said, ‘How good

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ الْمَالُ أَ يُزَكِّيهِ إِذَا مَضَى نِصْفُ السَّنَةِ قَالَ لَا وَ لَكِنْ حَتَّى يَحُولَ عَلَيْهِ الْحَوْلُ وَ يَحِلَّ عَلَيْهِ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لِأَحَدٍ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ صَلَاةً إِلَّا لِوَقْتِهَا وَ كَذَلِكَ الزَّكَاةُ وَ لَا يَصُومُ أَحَدٌ شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ إِلَّا فِي شَهْرِهِ إِلَّا قَضَاءً وَ كُلُّ فَرِيضَةٍ إِنَّمَا تُؤَدَّى إِذَا حَلَّتْ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who pays Zakat when half of the year passes. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he must allow one year to pass. Just as it is not permissible to perform Salah (prayer) before its time, so also is Zakat. No one can fast for the month of Ramadan in a month other than the month of Ra

بَاعَ أَبِي أَرْضاً مِنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بِمَالٍ فَاشْتَرَطَ فِي بَيْعِهِ أَنْ يُزَكِّيَ هَذَا الْمَالَ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ لِسِتِّ سِنِينَ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘My father purchased a piece of land from Sulayman ibn ‘Abd al-Malik for a certain amount with a condition that he (Sulayman) will pay its Zakat for six years.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ بَاعَ أَبِي مِنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ أَرْضاً لَهُ بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا أَلْفَ دِينَارٍ وَ اشْتَرَطَ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاةَ ذَلِكَ الْمَالِ عَشْرَ سِنِينَ وَ إِنَّمَا فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ لِأَنَّ هِشَاماً كَانَ هُوَ الْوَالِيَ.

‘My father purchased a piece of land from Hisham ibn ‘Abd al-Malik for such and such hundred thousand dinar with a condition that he will pay its Zakat for ten years. He did it as such because Hisham was the ruler.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ لَهُ الْوُلْدُ فَيَغِيبُ بَعْضُ وُلْدِهِ فَلَا يَدْرِي أَيْنَ هُوَ وَ مَاتَ الرَّجُلُ فَكَيْفَ يُصْنَعُ بِمِيرَاثِ الْغَائِبِ مِنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ يُعْزَلُ حَتَّى يَجِي‌ءَ قُلْتُ فَعَلَى مَالِهِ زَكَاةٌ فَقَالَ لَا حَتَّى يَجِي‌ءَ قُلْتُ فَإِذَا هُوَ جَاءَ أَ يُزَكِّيهِ- فَقَالَ لَا حَتَّى يَحُولَ عَلَيْهِ الْحَوْلُ فِي يَدِهِ.

“I once asked abu Ibrahim (a.s.), about a man who has a certain number of children, a certain one of them disappears and he does not know where he is. The man dies. How his legacy is dealt with? He (the Imam) said, ‘His share is kept aside until he comes? I then asked, ‘Is there Zakat on his share?’ He (the Imam) said,

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُفِيدُ الْمَالَ قَالَ لَا يُزَكِّيهِ حَتَّى يَحُولَ عَلَيْهِ الْحَوْلُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who earns a certain amount of wealth. He (the Imam) said, ‘He does not pay its Zakat until one year passes.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ كَانَ لَهُ مَالٌ مَوْضُوعٌ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ قَرِيباً مِنْ رَأْسِ الْحَوْلِ أَنْفَقَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَحُولَ عَلَيْهِ أَ عَلَيْهِ صَدَقَةٌ قَالَ لَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who has a certain amount of asset and it is about the end of the year when he spends it just before the year is complete. Is there Zakat on him? He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he is not required to pay Zakat.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع رَجُلٌ كَانَ عِنْدَهُ مِائَتَا دِرْهَمٍ غَيْرَ دِرْهَمٍ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ شَهْراً ثُمَّ أَصَابَ دِرْهَماً بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فِي الشَّهْرِ الثَّانِيَ عَشَرَ فَكَمَلَتْ عِنْدَهُ مِائَتَا دِرْهَمٍ أَ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاتُهَا قَالَ لَا حَتَّى يَحُولَ عَلَيْهِ الْحَوْلُ وَ هِيَ مِائَتَا دِرْهَمٍ فَإِنْ كَانَتْ مِائَةً وَ خَمْسِينَ دِرْهَماً فَأَصَابَ خَمْسِينَ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَمْضِيَ شَهْرٌ فَلَا زَكَاةَ عَلَيْه

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about a man who has two hundred dirham less one dirham for eleven months, then he gains one more dirham thereafter during the twelfth month to complete the two hundred. Is there Zakat on him? He (the Imam) said, ‘No, Zakat is not due on him until a year passes and it is two hundred dirh

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ وَرِثَ مَالًا وَ الرَّجُلُ غَائِبٌ هَلْ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاةٌ قَالَ لَا حَتَّى يَقْدَمَ قُلْتُ أَ يُزَكِّيهِ حِينَ يَقْدَمُ قَالَ لَا حَتَّى يَحُولَ عَلَيْهِ الْحَوْلُ وَ هُوَ عِنْدَهُ.

“I once asked abu Ibrahim (a.s.), about a man who is absent but has inherited a certain asset. Is there Zakat on him? He (the Imam) said, ‘No, Zakat is not due on him until he comes.’ I then asked, ‘Is he required to pay Zakat as soon as he comes?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, until one year passes.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ جَرَّ عَلَيْكَ الْمَالَ فَزَكِّهِ وَ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَرِثْتَهُ أَوْ وُهِبَ لَكَ فَاسْتَقْبِلْ بِهِ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Whatever you gain by means of assets, pay Zakat thereof and whatever you receive as inheritance or gift, pay Zakat thereof after a year passes.’”

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ الْمَالُ فَيَحُولُ عَلَيْهِ الْحَوْلُ ثُمَّ يُصِيبُ مَالًا آخَرَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَحُولَ عَلَى الْمَالِ الْحَوْلُ قَالَ إِذَا حَالَ عَلَى الْمَالِ الْأَوَّلِ الْحَوْلُ زَكَّاهُمَا جَمِيعاً.

‘When one year passes with the first asset, pay Zakat for both assets.’”

إِنْ كَانَ أَمْسَكَهُ لِيَلْتَمِسَ الْفَضْلَ عَلَى رَأْسِ الْمَالِ فَعَلَيْهِ الزَّكَاةُ.[1]

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who purchases a certain kind of goods but its value falls. He had paid Zakat before purchasing such asset. Is there Zakat on him or Zakat becomes due when he sells it? He (the Imam) said, ’If he had held it to increase his capital, he is required to pay Zakat.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى مَتَاعاً وَ كَسَدَ عَلَيْهِ وَ قَدْ كَانَ زَكَّى مَالَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَشْتَرِيَ الْمَتَاعَ مَتَى يُزَكِّيهِ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ أَمْسَكَ مَتَاعَهُ يَبْتَغِي بِهِ رَأْسَ مَالِهِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاةٌ وَ إِنْ كَانَ حَبَسَهُ بَعْدَ مَا يَجِدُ رَأْسَ مَالِهِ فَعَلَيْهِ الزَّكَاةُ بَعْدَ مَا أَمْسَكَهُ بَعْدَ رَأْسِ الْمَالِ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُوضَعُ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who purchases a certain kind of goods and its value falls. He had paid Zakat of the asset with which he paid for the goods. When is he required to pay Zakat? He (the Imam) said, ‘If he is holding it to preserve his capital, Zakat is not due but if he holds it after getti

وَ سَأَلْتُهُ‌[1] عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ مَعَهُ الْمَالُ مُضَارَبَةً هَلْ عَلَيْهِ فِي ذَلِكَ الْمَالِ زَكَاةٌ إِذَا كَانَ يَتَّجِرُ بِهِ فَقَالَ يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَقُولَ لِأَصْحَابِ الْمَالِ زَكُّوهُ فَإِنْ قَالُوا إِنَّا نُزَكِّيهِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ غَيْرُ ذَلِكَ وَ إِنْ هُمْ أَمَرُوهُ أَنْ يُزَكِّيَهُ فَلْيَفْعَلْ قُلْتُ أَ رَأَيْتَ لَوْ قَالُوا إِنَّا نُزَكِّيهِ وَ الرَّجُلُ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُمْ لَا يُزَكُّونَهُ

‘He must ask the shareholders to pay Zakat and if they said that they pay Zakat, he then is not required to do anything more than that. If they ask him to pay Zakat then he must pay.’ I then said, ‘What happens if they said that we pay but he knows that they do not pay?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If they confirm that they p

كُلُّ مَالٍ عَمِلْتَ بِهِ فَعَلَيْكَ فِيهِ الزَّكَاةُ إِذَا حَالَ عَلَيْهِ الْحَوْلُ‌ قَالَ يُونُسُ تَفْسِيرُ ذَلِكَ أَنَّهُ كُلُّ مَا عُمِلَ لِلتِّجَارَةِ مِنْ حَيَوَانٍ وَ غَيْرِهِ فَعَلَيْهِ فِيهِ الزَّكَاةُ.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘Any asset with which you work is subject to Zakat when one year passes.’ Yunus has said that the explanation for it is that whatever asset is used in business, animals or other assets, it is subject to Zakat.”

لَيْسَ عَلَى الرَّقِيقِ زَكَاةٌ إِلَّا رَقِيقٌ يُبْتَغَى بِهِ التِّجَارَةَ فَإِنَّهُ مِنَ الْمَالِ الَّذِي يُزَكَّى.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Slaves are not subject to Zakat unless they are for business purposes, because they are from assets that are subject to Zakat.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ بَعَثَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص مُصَدِّقاً مِنَ الْكُوفَةِ إِلَى بَادِيَتِهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ انْطَلِقْ وَ عَلَيْكَ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ لَا تُؤْثِرَنَّ دُنْيَاكَ عَلَى آخِرَتِكَ وَ كُنْ حَافِظاً لِمَا ائْتَمَنْتُكَ عَلَيْهِ رَاعِياً لِحَقِّ اللَّهِ فِيهِ حَتَّى تَأْتِيَ نَادِيَ بَنِي فُلَانٍ‌[2] فَإِذَا قَدِمْتَ فَانْزِلْ بِمَائِهِمْ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Burayd ibn Mu‘awiyah who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say, ‘’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, gave the following disciplinary instructions to a zakat collector. He (the Imam) then sent him to th

كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ص إِذَا بَعَثَ مُصَدِّقَهُ قَالَ لَهُ إِذَا أَتَيْتَ عَلَى رَبِّ الْمَالِ فَقُلْ لَهُ تَصَدَّقْ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ مِمَّا أَعْطَاكَ اللَّهُ فَإِنْ وَلَّى عَنْكَ فَلَا تُرَاجِعْهُ.

“Give charity, may Allah grant you blessings, out of what Allah has granted you.” If he turns away from you, then you must not go to him again.’”

إِنَّ ذَلِكَ لَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْكَ فَقَالَ‌ إِنِّي أُحَمِّلُ ذَلِكَ فِي مَالِي فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مُرْ مُصَدِّقَكَ أَنْ لَا يَحْشُرَ مِنْ مَاءٍ إِلَى مَاءٍ[1] وَ لَا يَجْمَعَ بَيْنَ الْمُتَفَرِّقِ وَ لَا يُفَرِّقَ بَيْنَ الْمُجْتَمِعِ وَ إِذَا دَخَلَ الْمَالَ فَلْيَقْسِمِ الْغَنَمَ نِصْفَيْنِ ثُمَّ يُخَيِّرُ صَاحِبَهَا أَيَّ الْقِسْمَيْنِ شَاءَ فَإِذَا اخْتَارَ فَلْيَدْفَعْهُ إِلَيْهِ فَإِنْ تَتَبَّعَت

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about charity (Zakat). He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not accepted from you.’ He (the narrator) then said, ‘I take it from my own assets.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said to him, ‘Instruct your Zakat collector not to move from house to house, bring together what is apart and separate what i

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص كَتَبَ لَهُ فِي كِتَابِهِ الَّذِي كَتَبَ لَهُ بِخَطِّهِ حِينَ بَعَثَهُ عَلَى الصَّدَقَاتِ مَنْ بَلَغَتْ عِنْدَهُ مِنَ الْإِبِلِ صَدَقَةُ الْجَذَعَةِ وَ لَيْسَتْ عِنْدَهُ جَذَعَةٌ وَ عِنْدَهُ حِقَّةٌ فَإِنَّهُ تُقْبَلُ مِنْهُ الْحِقَّةُ وَ يَجْعَلُ مَعَهَا شَاتَيْنِ أَوْ عِشْرِينَ دِرْهَماً وَ مَنْ بَلَغَتْ عِنْدَهُ صَدَقَةُ الْحِقَّةِ وَ لَيْسَتْ عِنْدَهُ حِقَّةٌ وَ عِنْدَهُ جَذَعَةٌ فَ

Those who owe Jadha’ah as Zakat for camels but do not have Jadha‘ah but have Hiqqah, it is accepted from them, but they must give two sheep along with it or twenty dirham. Those who owe one Hiqqah as Zakat but do not have it, but have Jadha’ah, it is accepted from them and Zakat collector gives them two sheep or twenty

إِذَا كَانَ مَوْضُوعاً فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاةٌ وَ إِذَا عَمِلْتَ بِهِ فَأَنْتَ لَهُ ضَامِنٌ وَ الرِّبْحُ لِلْيَتِيمِ.

‘If it (asset) is not active (not used in business) Zakat is not due on it. If you use it in business, then you are responsible for it and its profit belongs to the orphan.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَالُ الْيَتِيمِ يَكُونُ عِنْدِي فَأَتَّجِرُ بِهِ فَقَالَ إِذَا حَرَّكْتَهُ فَعَلَيْكَ زَكَاتُهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أُحَرِّكُهُ ثَمَانِيَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَ أَدَعُهُ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ قَالَ عَلَيْكَ زَكَاتُهُ‌[1].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the assets of orphans which are with me and I use it in business. He (the Imam) said, ‘If you move it, its Zakat is up on you.’ I then said, ‘I move it for eight months and leave it for four months.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Zakat due on it is on you.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَلْ عَلَى مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ زَكَاةٌ قَالَ لَا إِلَّا أَنْ يُتَّجَرَ بِهِ أَوْ يُعْمَلَ بِهِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if there is Zakat on orphan’s assets. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, Zakat is not due unless it is used in business or is made to work.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَيْسَ عَلَى مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ زَكَاةٌ وَ إِنْ بَلَغَ الْيَتِيمُ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ لِمَا مَضَى زَكَاةٌ وَ لَا عَلَيْهِ فِيمَا بَقِيَ حَتَّى يُدْرِكَ فَإِذَا أَدْرَكَ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْهِ زَكَاةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ ثُمَّ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ مِثْلُ مَا عَلَى غَيْرِهِ مِنَ النَّاسِ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Zakat is not due on orphans’ assets even when they become adults; they are not liable for Zakat of the previous years or of the remaining time, but when they become adults, they are required to pay Zakat. They are held responsible as others are held responsible.’”

أَنَّهُمَا قَالا لَيْسَ عَلَى مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ فِي الدِّينِ وَ الْمَالِ الصَّامِتِ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَأَمَّا الْغَلَّاتُ فَعَلَيْهَا الصَّدَقَةُ وَاجِبَةٌ.

“Zakat is not due on loans people owe to orphans’ as well as on the orphans immoveable assets; however, it is obligatory to pay Zakat for the orphans’ grains.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَيْسَ فِي مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ زَكَاةٌ إِلَّا أَنْ يُتَّجَرَ بِهِ فَإِنِ اتُّجِرَ بِهِ فَالرِّبْحُ لِلْيَتِيمِ فَإِنْ وُضِعَ فَعَلَى الَّذِي يَتَّجِرُ بِهِ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Zakat is not due on the assets of orphans unless it is used in business, in which case the profit belongs to the orphans’ and if it (using it in business) is assigned to someone, then Zakat is upon the one who uses it in business.’”

أَرْسَلْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّ لِي إِخْوَةً صِغَاراً فَمَتَى تَجِبُ عَلَى أَمْوَالِهِمُ الزَّكَاةُ قَالَ إِذَا وَجَبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الصَّلَاةُ وَجَبَتِ الزَّكَاةُ قُلْتُ فَمَا لَمْ تَجِبْ عَلَيْهِمُ الصَّلَاةُ قَالَ إِذَا اتُّجِرَ بِهِ فَزَكِّهِ.

When Salah (prayer) becomes obligatory up on them, Zakat also become obligatory; however, in the case of those of them on whom Salah (prayer) is not obligatory but their asset is used in business, you must pay Zakat for such assets.’”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الْوَصِيِّ أَ يُزَكِّي زَكَاةَ الْفِطْرَةِ عَنِ الْيَتَامَى إِذَا كَانَ لَهُمْ مَالٌ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ ع لَا زَكَاةَ عَلَى يَتِيمٍ‌[3].

‘Zakat is not due on orphans.”

لَيْسَ فِي مَالِ الْمَمْلُوكِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَوْ كَانَ لَهُ أَلْفُ أَلْفٍ وَ لَوِ احْتَاجَ لَمْ يُعْطَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ شَيْئاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Zakat is not due on the asset of slaves even if it amounts to a million; but they cannot receive Zakat if they become needy.”’

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع امْرَأَةٌ مِنْ أَهْلِنَا مُخْتَلِطَةٌ أَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَاةٌ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ عُمِلَ بِهِ فَعَلَيْهَا زَكَاةٌ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يُعْمَلْ بِهِ فَلَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of one of our women who is mixed (with insanity) if she is required to pay Zakat. He (the Imam) said, ‘If her assets are made to work, then Zakat is obligatory on her, but if it is not made to work, Zakat is not obligatory.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ مُصَابَةٍ وَ لَهَا مَالٌ فِي يَدِ أَخِيهَا هَلْ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاةٌ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ أَخُوهَا يَتَّجِرُ بِهِ فَعَلَيْهِ زَكَاةٌ. - عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سَمَاعَةَ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ بَكْرٍ عَنْ عَبْدٍ صَالِحٍ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a woman who is affected mentally and she has an asset which is in the hands of her brother, if there is Zakat on it. He (the Imam) said, ‘If her brother does business with it Zakat is obligatory.’” A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad

لَيْسَ فِي مَالِ الْمُكَاتَبِ زَكَاةٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Zakat is not due on the assets of al-Mukatib (a slave who has contracted his freedom in exchange for a certain amount of payment to his owner).”’

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَمْلُوكٌ فِي يَدِهِ مَالٌ أَ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاةٌ قَالَ لَا قُلْتُ وَ لَا عَلَى سَيِّدِهِ قَالَ لَا إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَصِلْ إِلَى سَيِّدِهِ وَ لَيْسَ هُوَ لِلْمَمْلُوكِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a slave who has an asset; if there is Zakat on it. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, Zakat is not due on it.’ I then asked, ‘Is his owner required to pay Zakat?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, because it (asset) cannot go to his owner and it is not for the slave.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ أَصْحَابَ أَبِي أَتَوْهُ فَسَأَلُوهُ عَمَّا يَأْخُذُ السُّلْطَانُ فَرَقَّ لَهُمْ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَعْلَمُ أَنَّ الزَّكَاةَ لَا تَحِلُّ إِلَّا لِأَهْلِهَا فَأَمَرَهُمْ أَنْ يَحْتَسِبُوا بِهِ فَجَالَ فِكْرِي‌[1] وَ اللَّهِ لَهُمْ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَبَةِ إِنَّهُمْ إِنْ سَمِعُوا إِذاً لَمْ يُزَكِّ أَحَدٌ فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ حَقٌّ أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ أَنْ يُظْهِرَهُ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Once companions of my father came to him and asked about the money that al-Sultan (the ruler) makes them to pay. My father sympathized with them, knowing that receiving Zakat is not lawful unless one is a proper beneficiary, he instructed them to count such payment as Zakat. I

مَا أَخَذَ مِنْكُمْ بَنُو أُمَيَّةَ فَاحْتَسِبُوا بِهِ وَ لَا تُعْطُوهُمْ شَيْئاً مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ فَإِنَّ الْمَالَ لَا يَبْقَى عَلَى هَذَا أَنْ تُزَكِّيَهُ مَرَّتَيْنِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Whatever banu ‘Umayyah make you to pay, count it (as Zakat) and do not give anything to them if you can; no assets will be left if you pay twice.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَشْرَكَ بَيْنَ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ وَ الْفُقَرَاءِ فِي الْأَمْوَالِ فَلَيْسَ لَهُمْ أَنْ يَصْرِفُوا إِلَى غَيْرِ شُرَكَائِهِمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, most Blessed, most High, has made the affluent to share their wealth with the needy people; thus, they must not share it with others (affluent ones).”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ يَمْنَعُ دِرْهَماً مِنْ حَقٍّ إِلَّا أَنْفَقَ اثْنَيْنِ فِي غَيْرِ حَقِّهِ وَ مَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ مَنَعَ حَقّاً فِي مَالِهِ إِلَّا طَوَّقَهُ اللَّهُ بِهِ حَيَّةً مِنْ نَارٍ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ عَارِفٌ أَدَّى زَكَاتَهُ إِلَى غَيْرِ أَهْلِهَا زَمَاناً هَلْ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يُؤَدِّيَهَا ثَانِياً إِلَى أَهْلِهَا إِذَا عَلِمَهُمْ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Whoever withholds one dirham of right, he ends up spending two dirhams for the cause of falsehood. If one denies payment of one dirham of right on his wealth, Allah makes a snake of fire to curl around him on the Day of Judgment.’ He (the narrator) has said that he asked about

فِي رَجُلٍ فَرَّطَ فِي إِخْرَاجِ زَكَاتِهِ فِي حَيَاتِهِ فَلَمَّا حَضَرَتْهُ الْوَفَاةُ حَسَبَ جَمِيعَ مَا كَانَ فَرَّطَ فِيهِ مِمَّا لَزِمَهُ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ ثُمَّ أَوْصَى بِهِ أَنْ يُخْرَجَ ذَلِكَ فَيُدْفَعَ إِلَى مَنْ يَجِبُ لَهُ قَالَ جَائِزٌ يُخْرَجُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ جَمِيعِ الْمَالِ إِنَّمَا هُوَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ دَيْنٍ لَوْ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ لَيْسَ لِلْوَرَثَةِ شَيْ‌ءٌ حَتَّى يُؤَدُّوا مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who misses paying Zakat of his assets during his life time. When he is about to die, he calculates all that he owes as Zakat and then in his will states that such and such amount must be paid as Zakat. Can such Zakat be paid to proper beneficiaries? He (the Imam) said, ‘

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ لَا يُعْطَى أَحَدٌ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ أَقَلَّ مِنْ خَمْسَةِ دَرَاهِمَ وَ هُوَ أَقَلُّ مَا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ فِي أَمْوَالِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَلَا يُعْطُوا أَحَداً مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ أَقَلَّ مِنْ خَمْسَةِ دَرَاهِمَ فَصَاعِداً.

’Less than five dirham of Zakat must not be given to anyone. This is the minimum that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has made obligatory on the assets of the Muslims. Do not give anyone less than five dirham but give more and so on.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ أُعْطِي الرَّجُلَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ ثَمَانِينَ دِرْهَماً قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ زِدْهُ قُلْتُ أُعْطِيهِ مِائَةً قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ أَغْنِهِ إِنْ قَدَرْتَ أَنْ تُغْنِيَهُ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ’Can eighty dirham be given as Zakat to someone? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, and increase it.’ I then asked, ‘Can one hundred dirham be given as Zakat to someone?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, you can make him rich if you can do so.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِذَا أَعْطَيْتَ فَأَغْنِهِ.

that abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘When you pay make him rich.’”

تُعْطِيهِ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ حَتَّى تُغْنِيَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Pay from Zakat until you make him rich (sufficient for his one year’s expenses).”’

سَأَلَهُ‌[2] رَجُلٌ وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ قَالَ أُعْطِي قَرَابَتِي زَكَاةَ مَالِي وَ هُمْ لَا يَعْرِفُونَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا تُعْطِ الزَّكَاةَ إِلَّا مُسْلِماً وَ أَعْطِهِمْ مِنْ غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ تَرَوْنَ أَنَّمَا فِي الْمَالِ الزَّكَاةُ وَحْدَهَا مَا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ فِي الْمَالِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الزَّكَاةِ أَكْثَرُ تُعْطِي‌[3] مِنْهُ الْقَرَابَةَ وَ الْمُعْتَرِضَ لَكَ مِمَّنْ يَسْأَلُكَ فَتُع

“Once someone asked him (the Imam) ‘Alayhi al-Salam, when I was hearing, saying, ‘Can I pay Zakat to my relatives and they do not know (this belief)? He (the Imam) said, ‘Do not pay Zakat to anyone who is not a Muslim, but give them from other things.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘Do you think that Allah has made

سَأَلَهُ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى أَبَاهُ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ زَكَاةِ مَالِهِ قَالَ اشْتَرَى خَيْرَ رَقَبَةٍ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ.

“Certain persons of our people asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who has purchased with money from Zakat of his assets his own father. He (the Imam) said, ‘He has purchased the best slave and it is not harmful.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ حَلَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الزَّكَاةُ وَ مَاتَ أَبُوهُ وَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ أَ يُؤَدِّي زَكَاتَهُ فِي دَيْنِ أَبِيهِ وَ لِلِابْنِ مَالٌ كَثِيرٌ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ أَبُوهُ أَوْرَثَهُ مَالًا ثُمَّ ظَهَرَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ لَمْ يَعْلَمْ بِهِ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَيَقْضِيَهُ عَنْهُ قَضَاهُ مِنْ جَمِيعِ الْمِيرَاثِ وَ لَمْ يَقْضِهِ مِنْ زَكَاتِهِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ أَوْرَثَهُ مَالًا لَمْ يَكُنْ أَحَدٌ أَح

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that there is a man whose father has died and he is indebted. Can he pay the debts on his father from Zakat he owes when the son has a great wealth? He (the Imam) said, ‘If his father has left a legacy for him and then it is found out that there are debts on his father that he did

إِذَا أَخَذَ الرَّجُلُ الزَّكَاةَ فَهِيَ كَمَالِهِ يَصْنَعُ بِهَا مَا يَشَاءُ قَالَ وَ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ فِي أَمْوَالِ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ فَرِيضَةً لَا يُحْمَدُونَ إِلَّا بِأَدَائِهَا وَ هِيَ الزَّكَاةُ فَإِذَا هِيَ وَصَلَتْ إِلَى الْفَقِيرِ فَهِيَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ مَالِهِ يَصْنَعُ بِهَا مَا يَشَاءُ فَقُلْتُ يَتَزَوَّجُ بِهَا وَ يَحُجُّ مِنْهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ هِيَ مَالُهُ قُلْتُ فَهَلْ يُؤ

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When a person receives Zakat it is like his own property and one can use it as one likes.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has made a share in the wealth of the wealthy people obligatory for the needy. The affluent people are not appreciated until they p