The Book of al-Zakat

إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ يُعْطِي هَؤُلَاءِ جَمِيعاً لِأَنَّهُمْ يُقِرُّونَ لَهُ بِالطَّاعَةِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ كَانُوا لَا يَعْرِفُونَ فَقَالَ يَا زُرَارَةُ لَوْ كَانَ يُعْطِي مَنْ يَعْرِفُ دُونَ مَنْ لَا يَعْرِفُ لَمْ يُوجَدْ لَهَا مَوْضِعٌ وَ إِنَّمَا يُعْطِي مَنْ لَا يَعْرِفُ لِيَرْغَبَ فِي الدِّينِ فَيَثْبُتَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَمَّا الْيَوْمَ فَلَا تُعْطِهَا أَنْتَ وَ أَصْحَابُكَ إِلَّا مَنْ يَعْرِفُ فَمَنْ وَجَدْتَ مِنْ هَؤ

“Once we both asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, in the following verse of the Holy Quran. ‘Charity funds (zakat) are only for the poor, the destitute, and the tax collectors. (It is also for the) people whose hearts are inclined (toward Islam), the slaves, those who ca

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَمَّا أُنْزِلَتْ آيَةُ الزَّكَاةِ خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَ تُزَكِّيهِمْ‌ بِها[2] وَ أُنْزِلَتْ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَأَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مُنَادِيَهُ فَنَادَى فِي النَّاسِ أَنَّ اللَّهَ فَرَضَ عَلَيْكُمُ الزَّكَاةَ كَمَا فَرَضَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصَّلَاةَ فَفَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ وَ الْفِضَّةِ وَ فَرَضَ الصَّدَقَةَ مِنَ الْإِبِلِ و

2. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Ahmad ibn Muhammad all from ibn Mahbub from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, has said that once this verse of the Holy Quran was revealed to the Messenger of Allah. ‘Collect religious tax (zakat) from them to purify and cle

يَقُولُ‌ مَا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ شَيْئاً أَشَدَّ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ فِيهَا تَهْلِكُ عَامَّتُهُمْ

“I heard abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘No other obligation that Allah has made compulsory upon this nation is of more intensity than zakat. In the matter of zakat most of them face their destruction.”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ جَعَلَ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ فِي أَمْوَالِ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ مَا يَكْفِيهِمْ وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ لَزَادَهُمْ وَ إِنَّمَا يُؤْتَوْنَ مِنْ مَنْعِ مَنْ مَنَعَهُمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has assigned in properties of affluent people a share for the needy that is sufficient to meet their need; otherwise, He would have increased such share. Shortages come from non-payment of those who do not pay.”

قَالا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ الزَّكَاةَ مَعَ الصَّلَاةِ

“Abu Ja‘far and abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, have said that Allah has made zakat obligatory along with Salah (prayer).”

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَضَعَ الزَّكَاةَ قُوتاً لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَ تَوْفِيراً لِأَمْوَالِكُمْ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has made zakat as means of living for the needy and to increase your properties.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ الزَّكَاةَ كَمَا فَرَضَ الصَّلَاةَ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا حَمَلَ الزَّكَاةَ فَأَعْطَاهَا عَلَانِيَةً لَمْ يَكُنْ عَلَيْهِ فِي ذَلِكَ عَيْبٌ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ فِي أَمْوَالِ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ مَا يَكْتَفُونَ بِهِ الْفُقَرَاءُ وَ لَوْ عَلِمَ أَنَّ الَّذِي فَرَضَ لَهُمْ لَا يَكْفِيهِمْ لَزَادَهُمْ وَ إِنَّمَا يُؤْتَى الْفُقَرَاءُ فِيمَا أُتُوا[1] م

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has made paying zakat compulsory as He has made performing of Salah (prayer) obligatory. If a man pays zakat publicly, it is not a blamable thing to do. It is because Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has assigned a share in t

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ فِي أَمْوَالِ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ فَرِيضَةً لَا يُحْمَدُونَ إِلَّا بِأَدَائِهَا وَ هِيَ الزَّكَاةُ بِهَا حَقَنُوا دِمَاءَهُمْ وَ بِهَا سُمُّوا مُسْلِمِينَ وَ لَكِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ فِي أَمْوَالِ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ حُقُوقاً غَيْرَ الزَّكَاةِ فَقَالَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ فِي أَمْوالِهِمْ حَقٌّ مَعْلُومٌ‌[2] فَالْحَقُّ الْمَعْلُومُ مِنْ غَيْرِ الزَّكَاةِ وَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has made it compulsory on affluent people to pay the share of the needy people from their properties and the affluent people will not be praised unless they pay the share of needy people. This share is zakat. Paying zakat protects their

كُنَّا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ مَعَنَا بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِ الْأَمْوَالِ فَذَكَرُوا الزَّكَاةَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ الزَّكَاةَ لَيْسَ يُحْمَدُ بِهَا صَاحِبُهَا وَ إِنَّمَا هُوَ شَيْ‌ءٌ ظَاهِرٌ إِنَّمَا حَقَنَ بِهَا دَمَهُ وَ سُمِّيَ بِهَا مُسْلِماً وَ لَوْ لَمْ يُؤَدِّهَا لَمْ تُقْبَلْ لَهُ صَلَاةٌ وَ إِنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي أَمْوَالِكُمْ غَيْرَ الزَّكَاةِ فَقُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ وَ مَا عَلَيْنَ

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from af-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from abu af-Maghra’ from abu Basir who has said the following: “Once we were in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam. With us, there were certain wealthier persons. People spoke about zakat. Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alay

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ فِي أَمْوالِهِمْ حَقٌّ مَعْلُومٌ. لِلسَّائِلِ وَ الْمَحْرُومِ‌ أَ هُوَ سِوَى الزَّكَاةِ فَقَالَ هُوَ الرَّجُلُ يُؤْتِيهِ اللَّهُ الثَّرْوَةَ مِنَ الْمَالِ فَيُخْرِجُ مِنْهُ الْأَلْفَ وَ الْأَلْفَيْنِ وَ الثَّلَاثَةَ الْآلَافِ وَ الْأَقَلَّ وَ الْأَكْثَرَ فَيَصِلُ بِهِ رَحِمَهُ وَ يَحْمِلُ بِهِ الْكَلَّ عَنْ قَوْمِهِ.

“In the following words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, there is the expression, ‘certain share’: ‘They are those who assign a certain share of their property (70:24) for the needy and the deprived.’ (70:25) Whether ’certain share’ stands for zakat or something else, the Imam said, ‘It is the property t

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ رَجُلًا جَاءَ إِلَى أَبِي عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ فِي أَمْوالِهِمْ حَقٌّ مَعْلُومٌ. لِلسَّائِلِ وَ الْمَحْرُومِ‌ مَا هَذَا الْحَقُّ الْمَعْلُومُ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع الْحَقُّ الْمَعْلُومُ الشَّيْ‌ءُ يُخْرِجُهُ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ مَالِهِ لَيْسَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ لَا مِنَ الصَّدَقَةِ الْم

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘Once a man came to my father, Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), and said, “Please tell me about the expression ‘certain share’. The words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, say, ‘They are those who assign a certain share of their property (70:24) for the needy and the deprived.’ (

الْمَحْرُومُ الْمُحَارَفُ الَّذِي قَدْ حُرِمَ كَدَّ يَدِهِ فِي الشِّرَاءِ وَ الْبَيْعِ. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ وَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّهُمَا قَالا الْمَحْرُومُ الرَّجُلُ الَّذِي لَيْسَ بِعَقْلِهِ بَأْسٌ وَ لَمْ يُبْسَطْ لَهُ فِي الرِّزْقِ وَ هُوَ مُحَارَفٌ‌[4].

“In the following words of Allah there is the expression ‘deprived’: ‘They are those who assign a certain share of their property (70:24) for the needy and the deprived.’ (70:25) Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘“Deprived” is a professional who no longer is able to benefit from the labor of his hands in busi

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ فِي كَمْ تَجِبُ الزَّكَاةُ مِنَ الْمَالِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الزَّكَاةَ الظَّاهِرَةَ أَمِ الْبَاطِنَةَ تُرِيدُ فَقَالَ أُرِيدُهُمَا جَمِيعاً فَقَالَ أَمَّا الظَّاهِرَةُ فَفِي كُلِّ أَلْفٍ خَمْسَةٌ وَ عِشْرُونَ وَ أَمَّا الْبَاطِنَةُ فَلَا تَسْتَأْثِرْ عَلَى أَخِيكَ بِمَا هُوَ أَحْوَجُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْكَ.[5]

The Imam asked him, ‘Do you mean thereby the apparent or unapparent zakat?’ He replied, ‘I mean both kinds.’ The Imam said, ‘The apparent kind is twenty-five due upon every one thousand. The unapparent kind is what you should not spare from your brother what he needs more than you do.’”

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَرْضٌ إِلَى مَيْسَرَةٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِلَى غَلَّةٍ تُدْرَكُ‌[1] فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ لَا وَ اللَّهِ قَالَ فَإِلَى تِجَارَةٍ تُؤَبُ‌[2] قَالَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ قَالَ فَإِلَى عُقْدَةٍ تُبَاعُ فَقَالَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَنْتَ مِمَّنْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ فِي أَمْوَالِنَا حَقّاً ثُمَّ دَعَا بِكِيس

“Once a man came in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, and appealed, ‘O abu ‘Abd Allah, grant me a loan until I am able to pay back.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, asked, ‘Do you want to borrow until the time you harvest your plantation?’ The man answered, ‘No, by Allah, (I do not have any plantation).

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِعَمَّارٍ السَّابَاطِيِ‌ يَا عَمَّارُ أَنْتَ رَبُّ مَالٍ كَثِيرٍ قَالَ نَعَمْ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ فَتُؤَدِّي مَا افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَتُخْرِجُ الْحَقَّ الْمَعْلُومَ مِنْ مَالِكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَتَصِلُ قَرَابَتَكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ وَ تَصِلُ إِخْوَانَكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ يَا عَمَّارُ إِنَّ الْمَالَ يَفْنَى وَ الْبَدَنَ يَبْلَى وَ ال

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to ‘Ammar al-Sabatiy, ‘O ‘Ammar, do you own a great wealth?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause.’ The Imam then asked, ‘Do you pay what Allah has made compulsory in the form of zakat?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I pay.’ The Imam then asked, ‘Do you pay “

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقاتُ لِلْفُقَراءِ وَ الْمَساكِينِ‌[5] قَالَ الْفَقِيرُ الَّذِي لَا يَسْأَلُ النَّاسَ وَ الْمِسْكِينُ أَجْهَدُ مِنْهُ وَ الْبَائِسُ أَجْهَدُهُمْ فَكُلُّ مَا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْكَ فَإِعْلَانُهُ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ إِسْرَارِهِ وَ كُلُّ مَا كَانَ تَطَوُّعاً فَإِسْرَارُهُ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ إِعْلَانِهِ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا يَحْمِلُ زَكَاة

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘Charities are for the poor and the destitute. . .’ (9:60) The Imam said, ‘Poor is one who does not ask people for help, destitute is one of a worse condition, and hopeless is even of a worse condition. Paying, what Allah, t

هِيَ سِوَى الزَّكَاةِ إِنَّ الزَّكَاةَ عَلَانِيَةٌ غَيْرُ سِرٍّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘. . . If you pay it privately to the needy, it is better for you. . . .’ (2:273), has said, ‘This payment is a payment other than compulsory zakat which is paid publicly and not privately.’”

الْفَقِيرُ الَّذِي لَا يَسْأَلُ وَ الْمِسْكِينُ الَّذِي هُوَ أَجْهَدُ مِنْهُ الَّذِي يَسْأَلُ.

“Someone asked the Imam (a.s.), about poor and destitute. He replied, ‘Poor is one who does not ask for help. Destitute is of a worse condition and he asks for help.’”

ذَكَرْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع شَيْئاً فَقَالَ اصْبِرْ فَإِنِّي أَرْجُو أَنْ يَصْنَعَ اللَّهُ لَكَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا أَخَّرَ اللَّهُ عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا خَيْرٌ لَهُ مِمَّا عَجَّلَ لَهُ فِيهَا ثُمَّ صَغَّرَ الدُّنْيَا وَ قَالَ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ هِيَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ صَاحِبَ النِّعْمَةِ عَلَى خَطَرٍ إِنَّهُ يَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ حُقُوقُ اللَّهِ فِيهَا وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ لَتَكُونُ عَلَيَّ

“I mentioned something before al-Rida (a.s.), and he said, ’Exercise patience. I hope Allah will do something good for you if He so wills.’ He then said, ’By Allah, He does not delay anything from a believer of the worldly things unless it is better for him than to do it for him quickly.’ He then belittled worldly thin

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ سَيُطَوَّقُونَ ما بَخِلُوا بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ[2] فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَمْنَعُ مِنْ زَكَاةِ مَالِهِ شَيْئاً إِلَّا جَعَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ذَلِكَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ثُعْبَاناً مِنْ نَارٍ مُطَوَّقاً فِي عُنُقِهِ يَنْهَشُ مِنْ لَحْمِهِ حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ مِنَ الْحِسَابِ ثُمَّ قَالَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- سَيُطَوَّق

“Once I asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about the following words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ’. . . whatever they are avaricious about will be tied to their necks on the Day of Judgment. . (3:180) The Imam said, ‘O abu Muhammad, if one refuses to pay zakat Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, on the D

بَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي الْمَسْجِدِ إِذْ قَالَ قُمْ يَا فُلَانُ قُمْ يَا فُلَانُ قُمْ يَا فُلَانُ حَتَّى أَخْرَجَ خَمْسَةَ نَفَرٍ فَقَالَ اخْرُجُوا مِنْ مَسْجِدِنَا لَا تُصَلُّوا فِيهِ وَ أَنْتُمْ لَا تُزَكُّونَ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Isma’if ibn Marrar from Yunus from ibn Muskan in a marfu‘ manner from a man who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Once, when, in the Masjid, the Messenger of Allah asked several people to stand up. They numbered five people and then he asked them

مَنْ مَنَعَ قِيرَاطاً مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ فَلَيْسَ بِمُؤْمِنٍ وَ لَا مُسْلِمٍ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- رَبِّ ارْجِعُونِ. لَعَلِّي أَعْمَلُ صالِحاً فِيما تَرَكْتُ‌[1]. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى‌ وَ لَا تُقْبَلُ لَهُ صَلَاةٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if one refuses to pay even a Qirat of zakat, he is not a believer or a Muslim and this is mentioned in the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, as follows: ’. . . Lord, allow me to go back so I can do good deeds in what I have left. . . .’(23:99-100)” In another Hadith it

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا مِنْ ذِي زَكَاةِ مَالٍ نَخْلٍ أَوْ زَرْعٍ أَوْ كَرْمٍ يَمْنَعُ زَكَاةَ مَالِهِ إِلَّا قَلَّدَهُ اللَّهُ تُرْبَةَ أَرْضِهِ يُطَوَّقُ بِهَا مِنْ سَبْعِ أَرَضِينَ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ.

‘Whoever refuses to pay zakat due on any produce of his palm trees, plantations or vineyard, Allah makes that land up to seven levels to hang from his neck until the Day of Judgment.’”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ دَمَانِ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ حَلَالٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ لَا يَقْضِي فِيهِمَا أَحَدٌ حَتَّى يَبْعَثَ اللَّهُ قَائِمَنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فَإِذَا بَعَثَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَائِمَنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ حَكَمَ فِيهِمَا بِحُكْمِ اللَّهِ لَا يُرِيدُ عَلَيْهِمَا بَيِّنَةً الزَّانِي الْمُحْصَنُ يَرْجُمُهُ وَ مَانِعُ الزَّكَاةِ يَضْرِبُ عُنُقَهُ‌[2]. - عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said to me, ‘Allah has made it lawful, in Islam, to destroy two kinds of lives. No one can issue judgment about it until the rise of a person from our Ahl al-Bayt. When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, allows this person from our Ahl al-Bayt, he then judges them according to the laws

مَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ أَدَّى الزَّكَاةَ[1] فَنَقَصَتْ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ لَا مَنَعَهَا أَحَدٌ فَزَادَتْ فِي مَالِهِ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that there is no one who pays his zakat who then experiences any decrease in his wealth. Also no increase takes place in the wealth of one who refuses to pay zakat which is due on him.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يَمْنَعُ دِرْهَماً فِي حَقِّهِ إِلَّا أَنْفَقَ اثْنَيْنِ فِي غَيْرِ حَقِّهِ وَ مَا رَجُلٌ يَمْنَعُ حَقّاً مِنْ مَالِهِ إِلَّا طَوَّقَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ حَيَّةً مِنْ نَارٍ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘If one dirham of rights of a person is denied it can cause double of this much to be spent elsewhere. If anyone refuses to pay a right which is due on his wealth, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, because of this will cause a serpent of fire to curl around him on the Day

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَلْعُونٌ مَلْعُونٌ مَالٌ لَا يُزَكَّى.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Condemned and condemned indeed is one who refuses to pay zakat.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ أَخْرَجَ زَكَاةَ مَالِهِ تَامَّةً فَوَضَعَهَا فِي مَوْضِعِهَا لَمْ يُسْأَلْ مِنْ أَيْنَ اكْتَسَبَ مَالَهُ.

“If one pays, completely, the amount of zakat which is due on his wealth to the proper recipient, he is not asked how he has earned his wealth.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ سَيُطَوَّقُونَ ما بَخِلُوا بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ[2] قَالَ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ مَنَعَ مِنْ زَكَاةِ مَالِهِ شَيْئاً إِلَّا جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ ذَلِكَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ثُعْبَاناً مِنْ نَارٍ يُطَوَّقُ فِي عُنُقِهِ يَنْهَشُ مِنْ لَحْمِهِ حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ مِنَ الْحِسَابِ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- سَيُطَوَّقُونَ ما بَخِلُوا بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ قَا

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘. . . whatever they are avaricious about will be tied to their necks on the Day of Judgment. . .’ (3:180). The Imam said, ‘O abu Muhammad, if one refuses to pay zakat, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, on the Day of

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ مَنَعَ الزَّكَاةَ سَأَلَ الرَّجْعَةَ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ رَبِّ ارْجِعُونِ. لَعَلِّي أَعْمَلُ صالِحاً فِيما تَرَكْتُ‌.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘One who refuses to pay zakat, on the time of his death asks to be returned to life again and this is referred to in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, “. . . Lord, allow me to go back so I can do good deeds in what I have left. . (23:99-100)

صَلَاةٌ مَكْتُوبَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ عِشْرِينَ حَجَّةً وَ حَجَّةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ بَيْتٍ مَمْلُوءٍ ذَهَباً يُنْفِقُهُ فِي بِرٍّ حَتَّى يَنْفَدَ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ لَا أَفْلَحَ مَنْ ضَيَّعَ عِشْرِينَ بَيْتاً مِنْ ذَهَبٍ بِخَمْسَةٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ دِرْهَماً فَقُلْتُ وَ مَا مَعْنَى خَمْسَةٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ دِرْهَماً قَالَ مَنْ مَنَعَ الزَّكَاةَ وُقِفَتْ صَلَاتُهُ حَتَّى يُزَكِّيَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that performing an obligatory Salah (prayer) is more excellent than twenty Hajj and one Hajj is more excellent than giving as charity one houseful of gold.’ The narrator has said that the Imam then said, ‘There is no salvation for one who loses twenty housefuls of gold for only (because

قَالَ: مَلْعُونٌ مَلْعُونٌ مَالٌ لَا يُزَكَّى.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that condemned, and condemned indeed is (a property or) one who does not pay zakat.”

مَنْ مَنَعَ قِيرَاطاً مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ فَلْيَمُتْ إِنْ شَاءَ يَهُودِيّاً أَوْ نَصْرَانِيّاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one (Muslim) who does not pay zakat dies as a Jew or a Christian; (he is given the chance to choose).”

مَا ضَاعَ مَالٌ فِي بَرٍّ وَ لَا بَحْرٍ إِلَّا بِتَضْيِيعِ الزَّكَاةِ وَ لَا يُصَادُ مِنَ الطَّيْرِ إِلَّا مَا ضَيَّعَ تَسْبِيحَهُ.

15. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Hassan from Ali ibn al-Nu‘man from Ishaq who has said the following: “Narrated to me one who had heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘A property is not lost, on land or in the sea, unless payment of its zakat is withheld. A bird does not become victim of hunting unle

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَانِعُ الزَّكَاةِ يُطَوَّقُ بِحَيَّةٍ قَرْعَاءَ وَ تَأْكُلُ مِنْ دِمَاغِهِ‌[2] وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ سَيُطَوَّقُونَ ما بَخِلُوا بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘One who refuses to pay zakat will have a bald serpent curled around him. It will feed on his brain. This is mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, “. . . whatever they are avaricious about will be tied to their necks on the Day of Judgment. . . ’”” (

وَجَدْنَا فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا مُنِعَتِ الزَّكَاةُ مَنَعَتِ الْأَرْضُ بَرَكَاتِهَا.

‘When paying zakat is refused, the land withholds her blessings.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا مِنْ طَيْرٍ يُصَادُ إِلَّا بِتَرْكِهِ التَّسْبِيحَ وَ مَا مِنْ مَالٍ يُصَابُ إِلَّا بِتَرْكِ الزَّكَاةِ.

‘A bird does not become victim of hunting unless it forgets Tasbih (glorifying Allah). A property is not lost unless zakat which is due on it is withheld.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا مِنْ ذِي مَالٍ ذَهَبٍ أَوْ فِضَّةٍ يَمْنَعُ زَكَاةَ مَالِهِ إِلَّا حَبَسَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِقَاعٍ قَرْقَرٍ وَ سَلَّطَ عَلَيْهِ شُجَاعاً أَقْرَعَ يُرِيدُهُ وَ هُوَ يَحِيدُ عَنْهُ فَإِذَا رَأَى أَنَّهُ لَا مَخْلَصَ لَهُ مِنْهُ أَمْكَنَهُ مِنْ يَدِهِ فَقَضِمَهَا كَمَا يُقْضَمُ الْفُجْلُ‌[1] ثُمَّ يَصِيرُ طَوْقاً فِي عُنُقِهِ وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Any wealthy person owning gold and silver who refuses to pay zakat, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, on the Day of Judgment will keep him in captivity in a flat land. He (Allah) will send a bald serpent who will chase him and he will flee until he finds it impossible to es

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا حَبَسَ عَبْدٌ زَكَاةً فَزَادَتْ فِي مَالِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If a person withholds payment of zakat due on his wealth, his wealth does not increase.’”

مَنْ مَنَعَ حَقّاً لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْفَقَ فِي بَاطِلٍ مِثْلَيْهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one who refuses to pay the right of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, spends double as much for falsehood.”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَبْعَثُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ نَاساً مِنْ قُبُورِهِمْ مَشْدُودَةً أَيْدِيهِمْ إِلَى أَعْنَاقِهِمْ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ أَنْ يَتَنَاوَلُوا بِهَا قِيسَ أَنْمُلَةٍ[3] مَعَهُمْ مَلَائِكَةٌ يُعَيِّرُونَهُمْ تَعْيِيراً شَدِيداً يَقُولُونَ هَؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ مَنَعُوا خَيْراً قَلِيلًا مِنْ خَيْرٍ كَثِيرٍ هَؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ أَعْطَاهُمُ اللَّهُ فَمَنَعُوا حَقَّ اللَّهِ فِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, the most Holy, the most High, will raise a people from their graves, on the Day of Judgment, their hands tied up to their necks and they will not be able to take anything even from a distance of one finger. Angels along with them censure them severely and say, “These were the ones

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَرَنَ الزَّكَاةَ بِالصَّلَاةِ فَقَالَ‌ أَقِيمُوا الصَّلاةَ وَ آتُوا الزَّكاةَ فَمَنْ أَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَ لَمْ يُؤْتِ الزَّكَاةَ لَمْ يُقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has joined zakat with Salah (prayer), saying, “Maintain Salah (prayer) and pay zakat.” Thus, if one does not pay zakat, he has not performed Salah (prayer).”’

قِيلَ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ الزَّكَاةَ خَمْسَةً وَ عِشْرِينَ فِي كُلِّ أَلْفٍ وَ لَمْ يَجْعَلْهَا ثَلَاثِينَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَعَلَهَا خَمْسَةً وَ عِشْرِينَ أَخْرَجَ مِنْ أَمْوَالِ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ بِقَدْرِ مَا يَكْتَفِي بِهِ الْفُقَرَاءُ وَ لَوْ أَخْرَجَ النَّاسُ زَكَاةَ أَمْوَالِهِمْ مَا احْتَاجَ أَحَدٌ.

“Once, a person asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘The amount of zakat Allah has levied is twenty- five for every one thousand. Why it is not thirty?’ The Imam replied, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has made it twenty- five to be paid from the wealth of affluent people. This much is enough to meet the needs

كَتَبَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ الْمَنْصُورُ إِلَى مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ وَ كَانَ عَامِلَهُ عَلَى الْمَدِينَةِ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ أَهْلَ الْمَدِينَةِ عَنِ الْخَمْسَةِ فِي الزَّكَاةِ مِنَ الْمِائَتَيْنِ كَيْفَ صَارَتْ وَزْنَ سَبْعَةٍ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ هَذَا عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ أَمَرَهُ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ فِيمَنْ يَسْأَلُ- عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ الْحَسَنِ وَ جَعْفَرَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ ع قَالَ فَسَأَلَ أَهْلَ الْمَدِينَةِ فَقَالُوا أ

“Abu Ja‘far al-Mansur once wrote to Muhammad ibn Khalid, his governor of al-Madinah, to ask people of al-Madinah about the amount of zakat that was five for every two hundred and how it has become seven for every two hundred which was not as such in the time of the Messenger of Allah. He commanded him to include ‘Abd A

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الزَّكَاةِ كَيْفَ صَارَتْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَلْفٍ خَمْسَةً وَ عِشْرِينَ لَمْ تَكُنْ أَقَلَّ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ مَا وَجْهُهَا فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ كُلَّهُمْ فَعَلِمَ صَغِيرَهُمْ وَ كَبِيرَهُمْ وَ غَنِيَّهُمْ وَ فَقِيرَهُمْ‌ فَجَعَلَ مِنْ كُلِّ أَلْفِ إِنْسَانٍ خَمْسَةً وَ عِشْرِينَ مِسْكِيناً وَ لَوْ عَلِمَ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ لَا يَسَعُهُمْ لَزَادَهُمْ لِأَ

3. Ahmad ibn Idris and others have narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad from Ibrahim ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Hafs from Sabah al-Hadhdha’ from Quthama who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, why the amount of zakat on every one tho

سَأَلَنِي رَجُلٌ مِنَ الزَّنَادِقَةِ فَقَالَ كَيْفَ صَارَتِ الزَّكَاةُ مِنْ كُلِّ أَلْفٍ خَمْسَةً وَ عِشْرِينَ دِرْهَماً فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ مِثْلُ الصَّلَاةِ ثَلَاثٌ وَ ثِنْتَانِ وَ أَرْبَعٌ قَالَ فَقَبِلَ مِنِّي ثُمَّ لَقِيتُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حَسَبَ الْأَمْوَالَ وَ الْمَسَاكِينَ فَوَجَدَ مَا يَكْفِيهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَلْفٍ خَم

“Once an atheist asked me, ‘Why is the amount of zakat twenty- five on every one thousand?’ I replied, ‘It is because Salah (prayer) is of two, three and four Rak‘at.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘He agreed with me. I then visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and asked him about it.’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Allah, the Most M

قَالا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ الزَّكَاةَ مَعَ الصَّلَاةِ فِي الْأَمْوَالِ وَ سَنَّهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي تِسْعَةِ أَشْيَاءَ وَ عَفَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ عَمَّا سِوَاهُنَّ فِي الذَّهَبِ وَ الْفِضَّةِ وَ الْإِبِلِ وَ الْبَقَرِ وَ الْغَنَمِ وَ الْحِنْطَةِ وَ الشَّعِيرِ وَ التَّمْرِ وَ الزَّبِيبِ وَ عَفَا عَمَّا سِوَى ذَلِكَ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad from Hariz Zurarah and Muhammad, abu Basir, Burayd ibn Mu‘awiyah al-‘Ijliy and Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far, and abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, have said, ‘Allah made Zakat, just as Salah (prayer) is, obligatory on wealth and th

وَضَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الزَّكَاةَ عَلَى تِسْعَةِ أَشْيَاءَ الْحِنْطَةِ وَ الشَّعِيرِ وَ التَّمْرِ وَ الزَّبِيبِ وَ الذَّهَبِ وَ الْفِضَّةِ وَ الْإِبِلِ وَ الْبَقَرِ وَ الْغَنَمِ وَ عَفَا عَمَّا سِوَى ذَلِكَ قَالَ يُونُسُ مَعْنَى قَوْلِهِ إِنَّ الزَّكَاةَ فِي تِسْعَةِ أَشْيَاءَ وَ عَفَا عَمَّا سِوَى ذَلِكَ إِنَّمَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ فِي أَوَّلِ النُّبُوَّةِ كَمَا كَانَتِ الصَّلَاةُ رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ زَادَ رَسُولُ اللَّه

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ’Isma’il ibn Marrar from Yunus from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muskan from abu Bakr al- Hadramiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah made Zakat obligatory on nine categories of wealth wheat, barley, dates, raisins, gol

سَأَلْتُهُ ع‌[1] عَنِ الْحُبُوبِ مَا يُزَكَّى مِنْهَا قَالَ الْبُرُّ وَ الشَّعِيرُ وَ الذُّرَةُ وَ الدُّخْنُ وَ الْأَرُزُّ وَ السُّلْتُ وَ الْعَدَسُ وَ السِّمْسِمُ‌[2] كُلُّ هَذَا يُزَكَّى وَ أَشْبَاهُهُ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “I once asked him (the Imam), ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about grains which are subject to Zakat. He (the Imam) said, ‘Zakat is due on wheat, barley, corn, millet, rice, suit (something similar to

كُلُّ مَا كِيلَ بِالصَّاعِ فَبَلَغَ الْأَوْسَاقَ فَعَلَيْهِ الزَّكَاةُ[3] وَ قَالَ جَعَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الصَّدَقَةَ فِي كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَنْبَتَتِ الْأَرْضُ إِلَّا مَا كَانَ فِي الْخُضَرِ وَ الْبُقُولِ وَ كُلَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يَفْسُدُ مِنْ يَوْمِهِ.

whatever is measured with al-Sa‘ and it amounts to al-Awsaq (a certain unit of measurement) then it becomes subject to Zakat.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘The Messenger of Allah made charity (Zakat) obligatory on everything that earth grows except vegetable, legumes and things that perish on the same day.’” H 5738, Ch. 5, h 3