The Book of al-Zakat

اسْتَعْمَلَنِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع عَلَى بَانِقْيَا وَ سَوَادٍ مِنْ سَوَادِ الْكُوفَةِ فَقَالَ لِي وَ النَّاسُ حُضُورٌ انْظُرْ خَرَاجَكَ فَجِدَّ فِيهِ وَ لَا تَتْرُكْ مِنْهُ دِرْهَماً فَإِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَتَوَجَّهَ إِلَى عَمَلِكَ فَمُرَّ بِي قَالَ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَقَالَ لِي إِنَّ الَّذِي سَمِعْتَ مِنِّي خُدْعَةٌ[1] إِيَّاكَ أَنْ تَضْرِبَ مُسْلِماً أَوْ يَهُودِيّاً أَوْ نَصْرَانِيّاً فِي دِرْهَمِ خَرَاجٍ أَو

“Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.), commissioned me as collector of zakat (charity) for Ban Qiya (al-Qadisiyah today) and suburbs of al-Kufah. In the presence of people he said to me, Take good care of taxes and do not disregard even one dirham.’ However, see me before you leave for your work.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘I we

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

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْعُشُورِ الَّتِي تُؤْخَذُ مِنَ الرَّجُلِ أَ يَحْتَسِبُ بِهَا مِنْ زَكَاتِهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ إِنْ شَاءَ.

about a man who is made (by the ruler) to pay one out of ten if he can count it as Zakat. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can do so if he wants.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَرِثُ الْأَرْضَ أَوْ يَشْتَرِيهَا فَيُؤَدِّي خَرَاجَهَا إِلَى السُّلْطَانِ هَلْ عَلَيْهِ عُشْرٌ قَالَ لَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who inherits a piece of land or buys it then pays its taxes to al-Sultan (the ruler), is he required to pay one out of ten (as Zakat)? He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he is not required to pay.’”

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.’”

أَنَّهُ حَيْثُ أَنْشَأَ سَهْلَ‌آبَادَ وَ سَأَلَ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع عَمَّا يُخْرَجُ مِنْهَا مَا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ السُّلْطَانُ يَأْخُذُ خَرَاجَهَا فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَأْخُذِ السُّلْطَانُ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً فَعَلَيْكَ إِخْرَاجُ عُشْرِ مَا يَكُونُ فِيهَا

“Sahl once asked abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), about what he pays to al-Sultan (the ruler). He (the Imam) said, ‘If al-Sultan (the ruler) receives its Kharaj (taxes) there is not anything on you; but if al-Sultan (the ruler) does not receive anything, then you pay one out of ten of whatever is due.’”

مَا أَخَذَهُ مِنْكَ الْعَاشِرُ فَطَرَحَهُ فِي كُوزِهِ فَهُوَ مِنْ زَكَاتِكَ وَ مَا لَمْ يَطْرَحْ فِي الْكُوزِ فَلَا تَحْتَسِبْهُ مِنْ زَكَاتِكَ‌[1].

‘Whatever the collector of one out of ten (Zakat collector) charges you and deposits it in the mug (the safe), it is your Zakat. If he does not do so then do not count it as your Zakat.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ خَلَّفَ عِنْدَ أَهْلِهِ نَفَقَةً أَلْفَيْنِ لِسَنَتَيْنِ عَلَيْهَا زَكَاةٌ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ شَاهِداً فَعَلَيْهِ زَكَاةٌ وَ إِنْ كَانَ غَائِباً فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاةٌ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, who passed away (a.s.), about the two thousand that one has left with his family for two years’ expenses is there Zakat on it? He (the Imam) said, ‘If he is present, there is Zakat due but if he is not present Zakat is not due on it.’”

إِنْ كَانَ مُقِيماً زَكَّاهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ غَائِباً لَمْ يُزَكِّهِ.

“He once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who leaves one thousand dirham for the expenses of his family and it remains with them for one complete year is there Zakat on it? He (the Imam) said, ‘If he stays Zakat is due, but if he is absent, Zakat is not due on it.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ يُخَلِّفُ لِأَهْلِهِ ثَلَاثَةَ آلَافِ دِرْهَمٍ نَفَقَةَ سَنَتَيْنِ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاةٌ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ شَاهِداً فَعَلَيْهَا زَكَاةٌ وَ إِنْ كَانَ غَائِباً فَلَيْسَ فِيهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who leaves with his family three thousand dirham for the expenses of two years is there Zakat on it? He (the Imam) said, ‘If he is present, Zakat is due, but if he is absent, Zakat is not due.’”

فِي رَجُلٍ يُعْطِي زَكَاةَ مَالِهِ رَجُلًا وَ هُوَ يَرَى أَنَّهُ مُعْسِرٌ فَوَجَدَهُ مُوسِراً قَالَ لَا يُجْزِئُ عَنْهُ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who pays Zakat to a person whom as he sees is a needy person, but later finds out to be affluent. He (the Imam) said, ‘Such payment is not sufficient for Zakat.’”

فِي رَجُلٍ عَجَّلَ زَكَاةَ مَالِهِ ثُمَّ أَيْسَرَ الْمُعْطَى قَبْلَ رَأْسِ السَّنَةِ قَالَ يُعِيدُ الْمُعْطِي الزَّكَاةَ.

“About a man who pays his Zakat before due time then the recipient becomes affluent before due time (end of the year), abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Zakat payer must pay again.’”

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).”’

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ فِي بَعْضِ هَذِهِ الْأَهْوَاءِ الْحَرُورِيَّةِ وَ الْمُرْجِئَةِ وَ الْعُثْمَانِيَّةِ وَ الْقَدَرِيَّةِ ثُمَّ يَتُوبُ وَ يَعْرِفُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ وَ يُحْسِنُ رَأْيَهُ أَ يُعِيدُ كُلَّ صَلَاةٍ صَلَّاهَا أَوْ صَوْمٍ أَوْ زَكَاةٍ أَوْ حَجٍّ أَوْ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ إِعَادَةُ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ إِعَادَةُ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ غَيْرِ الزَّكَاةِ لَا بُدَّ أَنْ يُؤَدِّيَهَا لِأَنَّهُ وَ

“Abu Ja‘far, and abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, were asked about the case of one who follows such opinions as al-Harawriyah, al-Murji’ah, al-‘Uthmaniyah and al-Qadriyah. He then repents and recognizes this issue (the Divine Authority of ’A’immah) and corrects his opinion, is he required to perform the Qada’ (compen

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

إِنَّ الصَّدَقَةَ وَ الزَّكَاةَ لَا يُحَابَى بِهَا قَرِيبٌ وَ لَمْ يُمْنَعْهَا بَعِيدٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Zakat cannot be given as a gift to relatives or be denied to non-relatives.’”

قَالَ لِي شِهَابُ بْنُ عَبْدِ رَبِّهِ أَقْرِئْ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِّي السَّلَامَ وَ أَعْلِمْهُ أَنَّهُ يُصِيبُنِي فَزَعٌ فِي مَنَامِي قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ شِهَاباً يُقْرِئُكَ السَّلَامَ وَ يَقُولُ لَكَ إِنَّهُ يُصِيبُنِي فَزَعٌ فِي مَنَامِي قَالَ قُلْ لَهُ فَلْيُزَكِّ مَالَهُ قَالَ فَأَبْلَغْتُ شِهَاباً ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لِي فَتُبْلِغُهُ عَنِّي فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ قُلْ لَهُ إِنَّ الصِّبْيَانَ فَضْلًا عَن

“Shihab ibn “Abd Rabbihi once asked me to convey his Salam (greeting of peace) to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and that he becomes terrified in his sleep. I then said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that Shihab has offered Salam (greeting of peace) and has said that he becomes terrified in his sleep. He (the Imam) said, ‘Tell him

كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّ كُلَّ عَمَلٍ عَمِلَهُ النَّاصِبُ فِي حَالِ ضَلَالِهِ أَوْ حَالِ نَصْبِهِ ثُمَّ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ عَرَّفَهُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ فَإِنَّهُ يُؤْجَرُ عَلَيْهِ وَ يُكْتَبُ لَهُ إِلَّا الزَّكَاةَ فَإِنَّهُ يُعِيدُهَا لِأَنَّهُ وَضَعَهَا فِي غَيْرِ مَوْضِعِهَا وَ إِنَّمَا مَوْضِعُهَا أَهْلُ الْوَلَايَةِ وَ أَمَّا الصَّلَاةُ وَ الصَّوْمُ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ قَضَاؤُهُمَا.

’Every deed that a Nasib (one hostile to ’A’immah) does in his condition as such, then Allah grants him the favor of making him to acknowledge this issue (the Divine Authority of ’A’immah), He gives him the reward for all of his deeds except Zakat which he must pay again. It is because of his giving it to improper bene

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الزَّكَاةِ هَلْ تُوضَعُ فِيمَنْ لَا يَعْرِفُ قَالَ لَا وَ لَا زَكَاةُ الْفِطْرَةِ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), if Zakat can be given to those who do not acknowledge this issue (the Divine Authority of ’A’immah). He (the Imam) said, ‘No, not even al-Fitrah Zakat can be given to them.’”

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, ‘

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع رَجُلٌ لَمْ يُزَكِّ مَالَهُ فَأَخْرَجَ زَكَاتَهُ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ فَأَدَّاهَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ يُجْزِئُ عَنْهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ أَوْصَى بِوَصِيَّةٍ مِنْ ثُلُثِهِ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ زَكَّى أَ يُجْزِئُ عَنْهُ مِنْ زَكَاتِهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ يُحْسَبُ لَهُ زَكَاةٌ وَ لَا تَكُونُ لَهُ نَافِلَةٌ وَ عَلَيْهِ فَرِيضَةٌ.

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about a man who does not pay Zakat until he is about to die. At such time if he pays Zakat in full is that acceptable? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is acceptable? I then asked, ‘If he makes a will that from one-third of his legacy, Zakat which due on him must be paid, will that kind of

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ عَلَى أَخِي زَكَاةً كَثِيرَةً فَأَقْضِيهَا أَوْ أُؤَدِّيهَا عَنْهُ فَقَالَ لِي وَ كَيْفَ لَكَ بِذَلِكَ قُلْتُ أَحْتَاطُ قَالَ نَعَمْ إِذاً تُفَرِّجَ عَنْهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of my brother who owes a large amount of Zakat, can I pay for him? He (the Imam) asked, ‘Why do you pay it?’ I replied, ‘I do so out of precaution.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Obviously, you provide him great relief.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ يَمُوتُ وَ عَلَيْهِ خَمْسُ مِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ عَلَيْهِ حَجَّةُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ تَرَكَ ثَلَاثَمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَأَوْصَى بِحَجَّةِ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ أَنْ يُقْضَى عَنْهُ دَيْنُ الزَّكَاةِ قَالَ يُحَجُّ عَنْهُ مِنْ أَقْرَبِ مَا يَكُونُ وَ يُخْرَجُ الْبَقِيَّةُ فِي الزَّكَاةِ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who at death owed five hundred dirham of Zakat and one Hajjatu al-Islam. His legacy is three hundred dirham. He has made a will about performing Hajjatu al-Islam for him as well as to pay his debt of Zakat. He (the Imam) said, ‘Hajj must be performed for him from the clo

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلِ ع رَجُلٌ مَاتَ وَ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاةٌ وَ أَوْصَى أَنْ تُقْضَى عَنْهُ الزَّكَاةُ وَ وُلْدُهُ‌ مَحَاوِيجُ إِنْ دَفَعُوهَا أَضَرَّ ذَلِكَ بِهِمْ ضَرَراً شَدِيداً فَقَالَ يُخْرِجُونَهَا فَيَعُودُونَ بِهَا عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ يُخْرِجُونَ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً فَيُدْفَعُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِمْ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Awwal (a.s.), about a man who has died and he owes Zakat. He has made a will about payment of Zakat and his children are needy. If such payment is made it will harm them a great deal. He (the Imam) said, ‘They take the amount of Zakat out of the legacy and pay it to themselves, except so

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).”’

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَمُوتُ وَ يَتْرُكُ الْعِيَالَ أَ يُعْطَوْنَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ قَالَ‌ نَعَمْ حَتَّى يَنْشَوْا وَ يَبْلُغُوا وَ يَسْأَلُوا مِنْ أَيْنَ كَانُوا يَعِيشُونَ إِذَا قُطِعَ ذَلِكَ عَنْهُمْ‌[1] فَقُلْتُ إِنَّهُمْ لَا يَعْرِفُونَ قَالَ يُحْفَظُ فِيهِمْ مَيِّتُهُمْ وَ يُحَبَّبُ إِلَيْهِمْ دِينُ أَبِيهِمْ‌[2] فَلَا يَلْبَثُوا أَنْ يَهْتَمُّوا بِدِينِ أَبِيهِمْ فَإِذَا بَلَغُوا وَ عَدَلُوا

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who dies and leaves behind dependents. Can Zakat be given to them? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, until they grow up, become adults and ask (themselves) by what means could they live and survive if that Zakat was cut off from them. I then said, ‘They do not know. He (the Imam

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ عَارِفٍ فَاضِلٍ تُوُفِّيَ وَ تَرَكَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْناً قَدِ ابْتُلِيَ بِهِ لَمْ يَكُنْ بِمُفْسِدٍ وَ لَا بِمُسْرِفٍ وَ لَا مَعْرُوفٍ بِالْمَسْأَلَةِ هَلْ يُقْضَى عَنْهُ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ الْأَلْفُ وَ الْأَلْفَانِ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man of knowledge and excellence who dies owing a certain amount of debts. He was not corrupt, a spendthrift, or a known beggar; can his debts be paid from Zakat like one or two thousand? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it can be paid.”

ذُرِّيَّةُ الرَّجُلِ الْمُسْلِمِ إِذَا مَاتَ يُعْطَوْنَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ الْفِطْرَةِ كَمَا كَانَ يُعْطَى أَبُوهُمْ حَتَّى يَبْلُغُوا فَإِذَا بَلَغُوا وَ عَرَفُوا مَا كَانَ أَبُوهُمْ يَعْرِفُ أُعْطُوا وَ إِنْ نَصَبُوا لَمْ يُعْطَوْا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Children of a Muslim man who dies can receive Zakat and al-Fitrah just as their father would receive, until they become adults and become knowledgeable of what their father was knowledgeable (believed in); they still can receive Zakat but if they become hostile, then Zakat is not give

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنِّي رُبَّمَا قَسَمْتُ الشَّيْ‌ءَ بَيْنَ أَصْحَابِي أَصِلُهُمْ بِهِ فَكَيْفَ أُعْطِيهِمْ فَقَالَ أَعْطِهِمْ عَلَى الْهِجْرَةِ فِي الدِّينِ وَ الْعَقْلِ وَ الْفِقْهِ.

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the case of my gifts, for keeping good relations, to my friends and how I should do it. He (the Imam) said, ‘Give it to them on the basis of their migration to religion, intelligence and fiqh (proper understanding of Shari ‘ah).’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الزَّكَاةِ أَ يُفَضَّلُ بَعْضُ مَنْ يُعْطَى مِمَّنْ لَا يَسْأَلُ عَلَى غَيْرِهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ يُفَضَّلُ الَّذِي لَا يَسْأَلُ عَلَى الَّذِي يَسْأَلُ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), if in paying Zakat priorities, such as those asking and those not asking for help can be given preference among beneficiaries. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, those beneficiaries who do not ask for help have priority over those who ask for help.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ صَدَقَةَ الْخُفِّ وَ الظِّلْفِ تُدْفَعُ إِلَى الْمُتَجَمِّلِينَ‌[1] مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَأَمَّا صَدَقَةُ الذَّهَبِ وَ الْفِضَّةِ وَ مَا كِيلَ بِالْقَفِيزِ مِمَّا أَخْرَجَتِ الْأَرْضُ فَلِلْفُقَرَاءِ الْمُدْقَعِينَ‌[2] قَالَ ابْنُ سِنَانٍ قُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ صَارَ هَذَا كَذَا فَقَالَ لِأَنَّ هَؤُلَاءِ مُتَجَمِّلُونَ يَسْتَحْيُونَ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَيُدْفَعُ إِلَيْهِمْ أَجْمَلُ الْأَمْرَي

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said, ‘Zakat for animals with hooves and Zakat of the cloven-footed ones are given to Muslims who maintain good-looking style but Zakat of gold, silver, and whatever is measured by measuring devices of what the earth produces is given to those who sit on dirt.’ Ibn Sinan has said that he th

قُلْتُ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ يُعْطِي الْأَلْفَ الدِّرْهَمِ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ فَيَقْسِمُهَا فَيُحَدِّثُ نَفْسَهُ أَنْ يُعْطِيَ الرَّجُلَ مِنْهَا ثُمَّ يَبْدُو لَهُ وَ يَعْزِلُهُ وَ يُعْطِي غَيْرَهُ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

“I once asked abu Ibrahim (a.s.), about a man who is required to pay Zakat in the amount of one thousand dirham. He distributes it and thinks to give a certain amount to a certain person but then for some reason he gives it to someone else. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ أُتِيَ النَّبِيُّ ص بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فَقَسَمَهُ فَلَمْ يَسَعْ أَهْلَ الصُّفَّةِ جَمِيعاً فَخَصَّ بِهِ أُنَاساً مِنْهُمْ فَخَافَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَنْ يَكُونَ قَدْ دَخَلَ قُلُوبَ الْآخَرِينَ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَخَرَجَ إِلَيْهِمْ فَقَالَ مَعْذِرَةً إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ إِلَيْكُمْ يَا أَهْلَ الصُّفَّةِ إِنَّا أُوتِينَا بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فَأَرَدْنَا أَنْ نَقْسِمَهُ بَيْنَكُمْ فَلَمْ يَسَعْكُمْ فَخَصَصْتُ بِهِ أُنَ

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Once something was brought to the Holy prophet and he distributed it among the people of al-Suffah (the platform); but it was not enough and he gave it to special ones among them. The Holy prophet, was afraid of what might the others think. The Holy prophet came to them and sa

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَأْخُذُ الشَّيْ‌ءَ لِلرَّجُلِ ثُمَّ يَبْدُو لَهُ فَيَجْعَلُهُ لِغَيْرِهِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, or abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about a man who keeps something for someone then for some reason gives it to someone else, has said, ‘It is not harmful.’”