Chapter 4

Zakaat
 Fazaaile Sadaqaat 283

Contents
Chapter 4............................................................................................ 285

Zakaat ............................................................................................ 285

Encouragement to pay Zakaat and its Rewards ........................ 285
Aayaat on Paying Zakaat ............................................................... 287
Aayah: 1 – Establishing Salaah and paying Zakaat .................... 287
Aayah: 2 – Allah’s mercy decends on those who pay Zakaat ... 288
Aayah: 3 – Interest decreases wealth and Sadaqah increases it
................................................................................................... 289
Ahaadith on the Rewards of Zakaat ............................................ 292
Hadith: 1 – Hoarding Gold and Silver ........................................ 292
Hadith: 2 – The bridge of Islam ................................................. 295
Hadith: 3 – Evil influences disappear with Zakaat .................... 296
Hadith: 4 – Protecting ones wealth with zakaat ....................... 296
Hadith: 5 – Perfecting one’s Islam ............................................ 297
Hadith: 6 – Tasting the sweetness of Imaan ............................. 298
284 Zakaat

Hadith: 7 – Paying one’s zakaat from haraam sources ............. 301

 Fazaaile Sadaqaat 285

Chapter 4
Zakaat
Encouragement to pay Zakaat and its Rewards

Zakaat is one of the most important commands of Islam. Allah Ta’ala

has mentioned Salaah and Zakaat, side by side, in eighty-two
different places in the Qur-aan Shareef. In many other places, Zakaat
is mentioned on its own.
A Hadith of Rasulullah  says: "Islam is built on five
pillars; to believe in the Kalimah Tayyibah (there is none to be
worshipped except Allah and that Rasulullah  is His
messenger), to perform Salaah, to pay Zakaat, to fast during
Ramadhaan and to perform Hajj." Another Hadith says, "Allah Ta’ala
does not accept Salaah from a person who does not pay Zakaat,
because he has mentioned in the Qur-aan Shareef the command to
pay Zakaat together with the command to read Salaah; so do not
separate the two." The Ulama say that it is Kufr (disbelief) not to
believe in any one of these five pillars as these five pillars carry the
whole of Islam and are the most important forms of ibaadat.
Salaah and Zakaat are two ways of becoming very close to Allah
Ta’ala. Firstly, a Mu’min is with Allah Ta’ala when he is reading
286 Zakaat

Salaah. Rasulullah  said, "A person reading Salaah talks

directly with Allah Ta’ala; and, for the same reason Salaah is called
‘Mi’raaj-ul-Mu’mineen’.” Throughout Salaah, Allah is listening to
you and you can ask Him for whatever you need. We always need
many things and by reading Salaah, we get a chance repeatedly to
come to Allah Ta’ala and to ask Him for whatever we need.
Whenever Rasulullah  faced any difficulty, he would at
once read Salaah.
In fact, all the Ambiyaa  used to read Salaah when they
were confronted with any worry. When a Mu’min talks to Allah
Ta’ala in his Salaah, he praises Him and then begs Him for help, as
we see in Surah Faatihah. The Ahaadith explaining Surah Faatihah
say that, Allah Ta’ala answers by promising him that his dua will be
accepted. For the same reason, when the Azaan is called out and the
Muazzin says, "Come to Salaah", he also says: "Come to Falaah",
which means ‘Come to success in this world and in the Aakhirah’.
Because Allah Ta’ala gives us, through Salaah, both our worldly
needs and success in the Aakhirah, we pay Zakaat to thank Allah
Ta’ala for giving us so much. So the Aayah: “Read Salaah and pay
Zakaat” can mean: ‘Read Salaah and from the things We gave you,
spend a small amount (two and half percent) on the poor who are
close to Us.’ In this way Zakaat becomes a means of showing thanks
to Allah Ta’ala for the favours He has given us. Allah Ta’ala has
promised even more rewards for this small amount that we spend to
show thanks to Him.
Secondly, we go for Hajj to the House of Allah Ta’ala. Because
Hajj is difficult and expensive, it is only Fardh once in a lifetime and
only for those who can afford it. Before going to the house of Allah
Ta’ala, we clean ourselves of the filth of this dunya by fasting during
Ramadhaan, which is also Fardh for a Muslim. To clean ourselves, we
stay away from food and drink. That is why the Hajj season comes
shortly after the month of fasting.
 Fazaaile Sadaqaat 287

The Aayaat about punishment for not spending money are all
about Zakaat. Obviously, it is not easy to discuss all these Aayaat and
Ahaadith. We shall therefore, write down only a few of them.
Only one Aayah or Hadith is enough for a true Muslim to take a
lesson.

Aayaat on Paying Zakaat

Aayah: 1 – Establishing Salaah and paying Zakaat

ۡ ْ ‫كاق ۡیموآّالصلٰوةّّٓٓك ٰاتوآّالز ٰکوةّّٓٓك‬
ٰ ّّٓٓ‫ارکع ۡوآّمع‬
ّٓ‫الر ِک ِعی‬ ِ

“Establish Salaah, and pay Zakaat, and make ruku with

those who make ruku.” (Baqarah: 43)

Note: Commenting on this Aayah, Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi

(rahmatullahi alayh) writes:
In Islam, actions fall under two categories, the physical and the
spiritual. The physical may be subdivided into two sections, those
performed with the body alone and those involving spending of
wealth. In this way, actions fall into three broad categories. The
Aayah mentions all three categories of actions referring to one act of
each kind; (1) Salaah is a physical act of worship, (2) Zakaat means
giving money to the poor, (3) and Khushu’ is an inner spiritual
quality. The phrase “and make ruku with those who make ruku”
suggests, that inward humility is obtained through association with
the humble. (Bayaanul Qur-aan). According to the above explanation,
the Arabic word ‘ruku’ means humility.
There are many lessons in this Aayah, for example:-

1. Salaah is the most important ibaadat (worship) for a Muslim;

that is why it has been mentioned first.
2. Zakaat follows Salaah, in order of importance.
288 Zakaat

3. Paying Zakaat is a way of showing thanks for the favours of

Allah Ta’ala.
4. Ibaadat with your body (Salaah) is more important than
spending money.
5. Staying with humble people is very important for learning
humility.
6. This command is for everyone and not only for a few.

Another view is that the phrase ‘make ruku with those who make
ruku” refers to the formal act of bowing in Salaah. Commenting on
this Aayah, Shah Abdul Aziz (rahmatullahi alayh) writes in his
Tafseer-e-Azizi that briefly the Aayah means, ‘Perform Salaah along
with those who perform it; that is, perform it in a congregation. The
command stresses the need to practice Salaah with Jamaat. Salaah
with Jamaat is a distinguishing feature of Islam, while other religions
do not enjoin prayers in congregation. The Aayah refers to ruku in
particular, because the preceding Aayaat were revealed concerning
the Jews, and ruku (bowing) is not a part of their form of worship.
Thus the Aayah implies, ‘Observe Salaah like the Muslims.’ As has
been explained in the book ‘virtues of Salaah’, the Salaah is best
performed with Jamaat, so much so, that the Ulama regard a Fardh
Salaah performed without Jamaat to be a defective performance.

Aayah: 2 – Allah’s mercy decends on those who pay Zakaat

ٰ ْ ْ ْ ْ ‫كّّٓٓر‬
ّّٓٓ‫اّلیۡن‬ ۡ ‫کتبہآّل‬
ِ ّّٓٓ‫ّلینّّٓٓیتق ۡوفّّٓٓكّّٓٓیؤت ۡوفّّٓٓالزکوةّّٓٓك‬
ِ ِ ۡ ّّٓٓ‫تّٓکل‬
‫َشءّّٓٓۚ ّٓفسا‬ ّٓۡ ِ ‫حم‬
ّٓ ‫تّٓك ِسع‬
ْ
ّٓ‫مّٓ ِب ٰا ٰی ِتنآّیؤ ِمن ۡوف‬
ّٓۡ ‫ہ‬

“And My mercy covers all things; therefore, I shall

command it for those (in particular) who fear Allah and
pay Zakaat, and those who believe in our Aayaat.”
(al-Araaf: 156)
 Fazaaile Sadaqaat 289

In this world, Allah’s Mercy comes to everybody, good or bad, but in

the Aakhirah, Allah’s blessings will be only for those who fear Allah
Ta’ala.
Once, a villager came to Masjidun-Nabawi and, after reading
Salaah, made dua like this, ‘O Allah, have mercy on me and
Muhammad () and do not allow anyone else to share Your
mercy with us.’ Rasulullah  heard him making this dua and
said, "You have attempted to cut off the mercy of Allah Ta’ala. Allah
Ta’ala divided His mercy into one hundred parts. He sent down one
part only and distributed it in the world. Because of this one part,
everything – jinn, men and animals – show kindness to one another
(to their children, family and others) while Allah Ta’ala has kept back
ninety-nine parts of His mercy (which He will use in the Aakhirah)".
Certainly, we should be very happy because Allah’s mercy is so
vast. The loving care of a mother who cannot rest when she finds her
child in the slightest trouble, a father’s love for his children, the love
of families, the love between husband and wife and the feelings of
kindness for each other are all the signs of Allah Ta’ala’s mercy. All
this kindness, love and mercy, put together, comes to only one
percent of Allah’s mercy, whilst He has kept back ninety-nine percent
with Himself.
What a shame to disobey the commands of our Allah Who is so
Merciful and so full of love towards us! Imagine a mother who treats
her son most lovingly and think how sad she would be if the son
disobeyed her!

Aayah: 3 – Interest decreases wealth and Sadaqah increases

it

ۡ
ّٓۡ ‫مّّٓٓ ِم‬
ّٓ‫ن‬ ّٓۡ ‫﵀ّٓۚ ّٓكمآّّّٓٓ ٰاتّٓ ۡیت‬
ِّٓ ‫اسّٓفَلّّٓٓی ْرب ۡوآّ ِعندّّٓٓا‬
ّٓ ِ ‫اؿّٓالن‬ ّٓ ِ ‫فّّۡٓٓا ْمو‬ ْ ِ ‫نّٓربًآّل‬
ّٓ ِ ّّٓٓ‫ۡیبوا‬ ۡ ّٓۡ ‫كمآّّّٓٓ ٰات ۡیت‬
ِ ّٓ ‫مّٓ ِم‬
ْ ْ ْ ‫کوةّّّٓٓٓتریۡد ۡكفّّٓٓك‬ ٰ
ّٓ‫﵀ّٓفاكل ٰٓ ِئکّّٓٓہمّّٓٓالمض ِعف ۡوف‬ ِّٓ ‫جہّّٓٓا‬ ِ ‫ز‬
290 Zakaat

“That which you give as interest so that it may increase

on (other) people’s wealth, will not increase by Allah; but
that which you give as Sadaqah (Zakaat, etc), seeking
Allah’s pleasure, will increase many times.” (Ar-Rum: 39)

"Spending wealth so that it may increase" includes all types of

spending. This is whether the spender hopes to receive more in this
world or expects to receive many rewards in the Aakhirah. In both
cases, money is spent so that it may increase. That is why interest and
Zakaat have been mentioned together.
This Aayah could also mean gifts. So, if someone gives a gift to a
person hoping to get a bigger gift in return, Allah Ta’ala will not
increase his wealth. Similarly, money given to a married couple when
they are getting married and the money spent on a feast for a person,
wishing to get an expensive gift from him, will not be rewarded by
Allah Ta’ala because He only increases the wealth of those who spend
for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala.
Sa’eed bin Jubair (rahmatullahi alayh) says, “If a gift is given
with the intention of receiving a return only in this world, it shall
bring no reward in the Aakhirah. Obviously, when a person does not
wish to be recompensed in the Aakhirah, why should he receive a
reward in that life?” Ka’b Qurazi (rahmatullahi alayh) says, “He who
gives a gift to a person with the intention of receiving a bigger gift in
return, shall not receive any increase from Allah Ta’ala; but he who
gives a gift to someone solely for the sake of Allah, hoping for no
return or favour from the person, shall receive ever increasing
rewards from Allah Ta’ala. It becomes clear from the above that those
who give Zakaat, gifts, etc., to people to get things from them, are in
fact losing their own rewards because of their wrong intention. Allah
Ta’ala says:

ۡ ْ ‫مّٓلو‬ ْ
ّْٓ ‫ریۡدّّٓٓ ِمنک‬
‫مّٓجزٓا ًّٓءّّٓٓكّّٓٓلّّٓٓشک ۡو ًرا‬ ِ ‫﵀ّٓلّّٓٓن‬
ِّٓ ‫ج ِّٓہّٓا‬ ِ ّْٓ ‫اِنمآّنط ِعمک‬
 Fazaaile Sadaqaat 291

"(They say) We feed you only for the sake of Allah. We

wish for no reward and no thanks from you". (ad-Dahr: 9)

Allah Ta’ala asked Rasulullah  not to spend money with the

intention of getting something in return. In another place in the Qur-
aan Shareef, Allah Ta’ala says to Rasulullah :
ْ ْ
ّٓۡ ‫كّّٓٓلّّٓٓتمن‬
ّٓ‫نّٓت ْستک ِثر‬

"And do not give to others hoping to get more."

(Muddathir: 6)

Therefore, those who spend for the sake of Allah Ta’ala should be
very careful about their intentions and should not expect anything in
return for their gifts. However, the person who receives a gift must
thank the giver and be grateful to him.
More especially when paying Zakaat, we should not think that
we are helping the poor, because paying Zakaat is Fardh and is not a
favour to anyone. This Aayah promises great increase to those who
pay Zakaat only for Allah Ta’ala’s pleasure.
292 Zakaat

Ahaadith on the Rewards of Zakaat

Hadith: 1 – Hoarding Gold and Silver

َ‫اِلَ َع ْن ُه َماَقالَلماَنزلتَوالذينَيكنونَالذهبَوالفضة‬ َ ِ ‫عنَا بنَعباسَ َر‬

َُ ّ‫ِضَ ه‬
َ‫كبَذلكَعىلَالمسلميَفقالَعمرَاناَافرجَعنكمَفا نطلقَفقالَياَنبَاهللَانهَكب‬
َ‫عىلَاصحابكَهذهَاليةَفقالَانَاهللَلمَيفرضَالزكوةَالَليطيبَماَبقيَمن‬
َ‫اموالكمَوانماَفرضَالمواريثَوذكرَكلمةَلتكونَلمنَبعدكمَفقالَفكبَعمرَثم‬
َ‫قالَلهَالَاخبكَبخْيَماَيكنَالمرأَالمرأةَالصالحةَاذاَنظرَاليهاَسرتهَواذاَامرها‬
َ ‫اطاعتهَواذاَغابَعنهاَحفظته‬

Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas  says: "When the Aayah

meaning: and those who hoard gold and silver…was
revealed, the Sahaabah  were very worried; so
Umar  said that he would help them. He then
went and told Rasulullah  that the
Sahaabah  were worried about this Aayah.
Rasulullah  said, "Allah Ta’ala has made
Zakaat Fardh to clean your wealth; and the laws of
inheritance are so that your wealth should remain
with your family after you. Umar  said,
"Allahu-Akbar (Allah is great)" with joy. Rasulullah
 then said, "Shall I tell you about the best
thing a man can keep as a treasure?" It is a pious
wife who pleases her husband when he looks at her,
obeys him when he asks her to do something and
guards his things (also her purity) when he goes
away from her (i.e. in his absence)."
 Fazaaile Sadaqaat 293

This Aayah seems to mean that a person will be punished for saving
any type of wealth (even what he needs). The Sahaabah  were
therefore very worried, because sometimes, saving up money is
necessary. They feared that they will not be able to fulfil this order,
whereas obeying Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul  is Fardh. So,
Umar  asked Rasulullah  to explain this Aayah.
Rasulullah  explained to them that Zakaat has been
made Fardh to clean their wealth. This shows that we are allowed to
keep money, because Zakaat is Fardh on the wealth that stays with a
person for one complete year. If collecting money was haraam in all
circumstances, there would be no need to make Zakaat Fardh.
The Hadith explains the reward of paying Zakaat. Besides the
reward we get for paying Zakaat, it also cleans the remaining wealth.
In the Qur-aan Shareef, Allah Ta’ala says:
ْ
ّْٓ ‫ہّٓصدق ًّٓۃّّٓٓتط ِہرہ‬
ّٓۡ ِ ‫مّٓكتز ِک ۡی‬
‫ہّٓ ِبہا‬ ّْٓ ِ ِ ‫نّٓا ْموال‬
ّْٓ ‫ذّٓ ِم‬
ّٓ ‫خ‬

"Take Sadaqah (zakaat) from their wealth, with which

you may clean them (of their sins)" (Taubah: 103)

Rasulullah  said, "Pay Zakaat on your wealth; it is a means

of cleansing for you." Rasulullah  also said, "Pay Zakaat; it
is a great cleanser and by paying it, Allah Ta’ala will clean you (of
sins)." Still another Hadith says: Protect your wealth from sins, or
from being wasted, by paying Zakaat and treat your sick by giving
Sadaqah, and make dua to guard yourself against problems.
Rasulullah  showed Umar  another reason for
collecting money by explaining inheritance. If collecting money was
haraam, there would be nothing to inherit.
Rasulullah  then warned the Sahaabah  that,
although saving money is permissible, it should not be kept for long;
but should be spent instead.
294 Zakaat

The best thing to have is a pious wife. Saubaan  says that

they were on a journey with Rasulullah  when the
following Aayah was revealed:
ْ ْ
ّٓ‫اّلیۡنّّٓٓیک ِنز ۡكفّّٓٓاّلہبّّٓٓكال ِفضۃ‬
ِ ‫ك‬

"And those who hoard gold and silver…."

Some of the Sahaabah  said, O Rasulullah , we wish

we knew what are the best things to be treasured and taken care of.
Rasulullah  replied, "A tongue that is always busy with the
remembrance (Zikr) of Allah Ta’ala, a heart filled with thanks (to
Allah Ta’ala) and a pious wife who helps her husband in doing good
actions.” It has been related in another Hadith that when the Aayah
(mentioned above) was revealed, Rasulullah  said, repeating
his words thrice, “Woe to gold and silver, ‘How cursed they are!’” The
Sahaabah  asked, “What is the best thing to be protected and
prized as treasure?” Rasulullah  replied, “A tongue that
remains occupied with the remembrance (zikr) of Allah, a heart filled
with the fear of Allah and a virtuous wife who helps her husband in
carrying out his religious duties and ibaadat.”
How fine are the sayings of Rasulullah  and how aptly
stated! In a few words, he has indicated to the permissibility of
withholding money, together with the encouragement to keep
nothing back with oneself, and also defined a mode of living which
ensures peace in this life and success in the Aakhirah. This life-
pattern consists in keeping one’s tongue occupied with zikr, having a
heart filled with gratitude to Allah and living with a pious, virtuous,
sensible and submissive wife who guards her own honour as well as
the possessions of her husband, thus making his life full of comfort
and joy, without exposing him to trials and temptations which money
brings.
 Fazaaile Sadaqaat 295

Hadith: 2 – The bridge of Islam

َ‫عنَاِبَالدرداءَرضيَاهللَعنهَعنَرسولَاهللَصىلَاهللَعليهَوسلمَقالَالزكوة‬
َ ‫قنطرةَالسَلم‬

Hadhrat Abu Darda (radiyallahu anhu) narrates

that Rasulullah  has said, "Zakaat is a
mighty bridge of Islam."

Just as a mighty bridge is an easy way of going across to any place,

paying Zakaat is the easiest and best way of getting close to Allah
Ta’ala. Abdul Aziz Ibne Umair (rahmatullahi alayh) (who was a
grandson of Khalifah Umar Ibn Abdul Aziz (rahmatullahi alayh)) has
said, "Salaah will take you half way to Allah Ta’ala, fasting will take
you to the entrance and Zakaat will make you reach Him."
A great Sheikh, Shaqeeq Balkhi (rahmatullahi alayh), mentioned
five things:-

1. If you want a lot of wealth, then read Salaatud-Dhuhaa (a nafl

Salaah read at mid-morning).
2. If you want light in your grave, then read Tahajjud.
3. If you want to answer Munkar and Nakeer (the two angels in
the grave) correctly, then read the Qur-aan.
4. If you want to cross the bridge over Jahannam easily, then keep
fasts and give charity.
5. If you want a place under the shade of the Arsh (throne) of
Allah on the Day of Qiyaamah, then meditate (think) about the
greatness of Allah Ta’ala in solitude.
296 Zakaat

Hadith: 3 – Evil influences disappear with Zakaat

َ‫عنَجابرَرضيَاهللَعنهَقالَقالَرجلَياَرسولَاهللَارايتَانَادىَالرجلَزكوة‬
َ ‫مالهَفقالَرسولَاهللَصىلَاهللَعليهَوسلمَمنَادىَزكوةَما لهَفقدَذهبَعنهَشره‬

Hadhrat Jaabir (radiyallahu anhu) narrates that

Rasulullah  said, "If a man pays the Zakaat
on his wealth, it causes its evil influence to
disappear."

Wealth can lead to many evils but, if anyone pays Zakaat correctly,
he will be safe from its evil influence. Obviously, he will be saved
from the punishment in the Aakhirah, for owning wealth and having
paid its Zakaat.

Hadith: 4 – Protecting ones wealth with zakaat

َ‫عنَالحسنَرضيَاهللَعنهَقالَقالَرسولَاهللَصىلَاهللَعليهَوسلمَحصنوا‬
َ‫اموالكمَبالزكوةَوداوواَمرضا كمَبالصدقةَواستقبلواَامواجَالبَلءَبالدعاء‬
َ ‫والتضر ع‬

Hadhrat Hasan (radiyallahu anhu) narrates that

Rasulullah  said, "Protect your wealth by
paying Zakaat, treat your patients by giving
Sadaqah and solve your problems and difficulties
with dua and crying to Allah in humility."

The Hadith means that, just as a man living in a fort is safe from
attacks from all sides, similarly, your wealth becomes safe after
Zakaat has been paid on it, like a treasure kept in a fortress.
 Fazaaile Sadaqaat 297

Once, Rasulullah  was sitting in the Hateem in the

Holy Masjid of the Ka’bah when a man mentioned some people who
had suffered a great loss because the sea waves had washed away
their property. Rasulullah  said, "Whenever any property is
destroyed in a jungle or on the sea, it is because of not paying Zakaat;
so protect your property by paying Zakaat, treat your patients with
Sadaqah and keep away problems by making dua to Allah Ta’ala,
because dua removes problems, and also stops them from coming."

Hadith: 5 – Perfecting one’s Islam

َ‫رويَعنَعلقمةَرضيَاهللَعنهَانهمَاتواَرسولَاهللَصىلَاهللَعليهَوسلمَقال‬
َ ‫فقالَلناَالنبَصىلَاهللَعليهَوسلمَانَتمامَاسَلمكمَانَتؤدواَزكوةَاموالكم‬

Hadhrat Alqamah (Radiyallahu anhu) reports that

they visited Rasulullah . He says,
“Rasulullah  said to us, ‘Certainly, you can
make your Islam perfect by paying the Zakaat on
your wealth.’"

Obviously, perfect Islam is not possible without paying Zakaat, which

is one of the five pillars of Islam.
If a person leaves out any one of the five pillars, he cannot be a
perfect Muslim. A person came to Rasulullah  and said,
"Tell me what I should do to enter Jannah?" Rasulullah 
replied, "Worship Allah and do not join any partners with Him, read
Salaah, pay Zakaat and strengthen your family relations."
Another Hadith says, "An Arab villager came and said to
Rasulullah , "Tell me what I should do to enter Jannah?"
Rasulullah  said, "Worship Allah and join no partners with
Him, read your Fardh Salaah, pay Zakaat and fast during
Ramadhaan." The man said, "By Him in whose hand is my life, I shall
298 Zakaat

not do anything more than this or anything less." Then, when he left,
Rasulullah  said, "If anyone wishes to look at a man of
Jannah, look at this man."

Hadith: 6 – Tasting the sweetness of Imaan

َ‫عنَعبدَاهللَا بنَمعاويةَالغاضرىَرضيَاهللَعنهَقالَقالَرسولَاهللَصىلَاهلل‬
َ‫عليهَوسلمَثَلثَمنَفعلهنَفقدَطعمَطعمَاليمانَمنَعبدَاهللَوحدهَوعلمَانَل‬
َ‫الهَالَاهللَواعطَزكوةَمالهَطؼبةَبهاَنفسهَرافدةَعليهَك لَعامَولمَيعطَالهرمة‬
َ‫ولَالدرنةَولَالمريضةَولَالشرطَاللػيمةَو لكنَمنَوسطَاموالكمَفانَاهللَلم‬
َ ‫يسألكمَخْيهَولمَيأمركمَبشره‬

Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu

anhu) narrates that Rasulullah  said,
"Whoever does three things will taste the sweetness
of Imaan (faith): A person who worships Allah alone
and believes (from his heart) that there is no one to
be worshipped but Allah and one who pays the
Zakaat on his wealth, happily, every year. When
paying Zakaat on animals, he should not give an old
animal or one suffering from some rash or any other
sickness, or an animal of low quality, but should
give animals of average quality. Allah Ta’ala does
not demand from you the best of your animals, nor
does He command you to give animals of the worst
quality."

Although this Hadith speaks about animals, it applies to all things

given as Zakaat. It is not necessary to give things of the best quality,
nor is it permissible to give things of the worst quality. The true spirit
 Fazaaile Sadaqaat 299

of Zakaat is in giving things of average quality. However, if someone

happily gives away things of good quality, in order to get the pleasure
of Allah Ta’ala and to earn His blessings, it is a sign of his being a
blessed person. We should keep in mind the lives of the Sahaabah
.
Muslim Ibne Shu’bah (rahmatullahi alayh) says: "Naafi’ Ibne
Alqamah had made my father the leader of his tribe, and ordered him
once to collect Zakaat from the whole tribe. My father sent me to
collect the Zakaat from them, so I came to an old man, called Si’r
 and told him that my father had sent me to collect Zakaat from
him. Si’r  said, ‘What kind of animal will you take, my
nephew?’ I replied, ‘I shall take the best animals and I will also see if
the udders of the goats are large enough.’ He said, ‘Let me first tell
you a Hadith (so that you may learn the rule and then you may do as
you like).
I lived in this land during the time of Rasulullah  when
two people came to me and they said, ‘We are messengers of
Rasulullah . He has sent us to collect Zakaat from you.’ I
showed them all my goats and asked them what was due on me from
them. They counted the goats and said, ‘One goat.’ I chose a goat
which I knew was full of milk and fat and brought it to them. They
saw it and said, ‘This is a pregnant goat and we have been ordered by
Rasulullah  not to accept such goats.’ I asked, ‘What kind of
goat will you take, then?’ They said, ‘A kid (small goat) that is six
months old or a goat in its first year.’ I then went and brought a kid
that was six months old. They took it and went away.’”
Actually, Si’r  wanted to give the best goat, but he
mentioned the Hadith to the collector of Zakaat, so that he might
learn the rule about collecting Zakaat on animals.
Hadhrat Ubayy bin Ka’b  says: “I was once sent by
Rasulullah  as a collector of Zakaat and I went to a person
who gathered all his camels before me. I calculated that a one year
old she camel was due from him. I said, ‘Give a one year old she
300 Zakaat

camel as Zakaat’, but he said, ‘What use will a one year old she camel
be to you? It is not fit for milking or riding’. He then chose a very
good, fat, healthy and big she camel and said, ‘Here is another; so,
take it’. I said to him, ‘I cannot take it. Rasulullah  is on a
journey and he is going to stay at a place quite near to you. If you
like, go to him and present it to him directly. If he accepts it, I shall
accept it from you.’”
“The man came with me to Rasulullah  and took with
him the she camel which he had presented to me. We came to
Rasulullah  and the man said, ‘O Rasulullah !
Your messenger came to me to collect Zakaat. By Allah, I never had
the honour of being ordered to pay Zakaat by you or your
messengers. I showed all my camels to the collector. He looked at
them and said that a one year old she camel would be due from me,
but a one year old she camel does not have milk and cannot be used
for riding. I therefore presented one of my best she camels as Zakaat,
but he refused to accept it. So, I have brought it with me to present it
to you. Kindly do accept it, O Rasulullah !’ Rasulullah
 said, ‘Only that much was due from you, but if you wish
to give a better she camel, partly as Nafl Sadaqah and partly as Fardh
Zakaat, Allah Ta’ala will reward you for that.’ The man said, ‘O
Rasulullah , I have brought the she camel with me so that
you may accept it.’ Rasulullah  then accepted it from him."
How eager were the Sahaabah  to give away their best
wealth as Zakaat! They felt proud and thought of it as an honour to
welcome the messenger sent by Rasulullah  for the
collection of Zakaat. They did not think of Zakaat as a tax on them,
but rather they believed that paying Zakaat was a holy duty, which
they had to perform. Today, we keep the best of our things for
ourselves, but they believed that the wealth given away for the sake
of Allah Ta’ala was the best.
 Fazaaile Sadaqaat 301

Hadith: 7 – Paying one’s zakaat from haraam sources

َ‫عنَابَهريرةَرضيَاهللَعنهَانَرسولَاهللَصىلَاهللَعليهَوسلمَقالَاذاَاديت‬
َ‫الزكوةَفقدَقضيتَماَعليكَومنَجمعَمالَحراماَثمَتصدقَبهَلمَيكنَلهَفيهَاجر‬
َ ‫وكانَاصرهَعليه‬

Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu anhu) narrates

that Rasulullah  has said, "When you have
paid Zakaat on your wealth, you have paid what was
due from you (if you spend more, it will be Nafl
Sadaqah). But that person who gives Sadaqah from
haraam money (interest, bribery, etc.), will get no
reward for that and he will also suffer because of his
haraam earnings."

This Hadith clearly explains that besides Zakaat, there are lots of
sawaab (reward) for Nafl Sadaqah for the sake of Allah Ta’ala. A
Hadith says, “He who has paid Zakaat, has paid what was due from
him on his wealth; and he who gives more than what is due, is more
virtuous.”
Zimaam  asked Rasulullah  about the important
requirements of Islam. Nabi  explained them to him in
detail. Among these, Rasulullah  mentioned Zakaat.
Zimaam  asked, "Is there anything else due besides Zakaat?"
Rasulullah  replied, "No, but you can spend more as Nafl
Sadaqah if you like."
A man sold a house during the time of Khalifah Umar 
who advised him to dig a hole in his house and bury the money to
keep it safe. The man asked, "Will that not be hoarding money
because of which I will be punished on the Day of Qiyaamah?" Umar
 said, "That money on which Zakaat has been paid is not
302 Zakaat

hoarded money." Ibn Umar  has said, "I wouldn’t mind keeping
with me gold weighing as much as Mount Uhud, if I kept on paying
Zakaat on it and spending from it according to the orders of Allah
Ta’ala.”
Therefore, the four great Imaams of Fiqh and the Ulama agree
that, apart from Zakaat, nothing is due on one’s wealth as such.
However, there are other duties of a Muslim in which he will have to
spend money; for example, looking after his wife and children,
feeding someone who is about to die of hunger, etc.
Imaam Ghazaali (rahmatullahi alayh) has written in Ihyaa-ul-
Uloom that some Taabi’een like Imaam Nakha’ee, Sha’bi, Ataa and
Mujaahid (rahimahumullah) are of the view that there is something
more due on wealth, apart from Zakaat. Someone asked Imaam
Sha’bi (rahmatullahi alayh), "Is there anything due on wealth besides
Zakaat?" He replied, "Yes", and read the following Aayah:
ْ
ّٓ ٰ ‫كّٓ ٰاتّّٓٓالماؿّّٓٓع‬
ّٓ‫لّٓح ِب ٖہ‬

"And he gives his wealth, because of His love…. (to the

end)"

These Ulama say that it is necessary on the rich Muslims to help the
poor when they come to know of their needs. However, the most
correct opinion is that if a person is in such a condition that, if he is
not helped immedietly, he will die, then it becomes the collective duty
(fardh-e-kifaayah) of the whole community to assist him, though the
opinions differ as to whether he should be given a loan or a donation.
It is necessary to help a person who is about to die because of
hunger or thirst. But nothing is due from a wealthy person on his
wealth, apart from Zakaat. At this point, I would like to bring the
attention of my readers to two points:-

1. ‘Ifraat’ (Extremism): Nowadays, we are accustomed to go to

extremes; so immediately, we cross all limits. For example, it
 Fazaaile Sadaqaat 303

is unlawful to take another person’s wealth except with his

own free will. Some Ulama do allow taking another person’s
wealth as a last resort when someone’s life is in danger. But
even in such cases, within the Hanafi Ulama, there are two
views: one permits eating of carrion (dead animals) in
preference to another person’s wealth; the other view is the
opposite that, in a helpless state, instead of eating carrion he
may take another man’s wealth without permission. All the
books on ‘Fiqh’ deal with this matter. Anyhow, when a person
reaches that stage of necessity where eating of carrion
becomes permissible for him, he may be allowed to take food
belonging to another person without his permission. Allah
Ta’ala says:
ۡ ْ ْ ْ ۡ ۡ
ّٓ‫ر ّٓی ۡ ًقا‬
ِّٓ ‫اـّٓلِتاکل ۡوآّف‬
ِ ‫ط ِلّٓكتدل ۡوا ِبہآّاِلّّٓٓالحک‬ ّٓ ‫كلّّٓٓتاکل ۡوآّا ْموالک ۡمّٓبّٓ ّۡٓینک‬
ِ ‫مّٓ ِبالبا‬
ْ ۡ ْ ۡ ْ ْ
ّٓ‫الث ِمّٓكانت ْمّّٓٓتعلم ۡوف‬
ِ ‫اسّٓ ِب‬
ِ ‫اؿّٓالن‬ ِ ‫ِمنّٓامو‬

"And do not eat your wealth among yourselves unjustly,

nor seek by it to gain the hearing of judges that you may
knowingly usurp a portion of the property of others
wrongfully." (al-Baqarah: 188)

Rasulullah  has said, "You must not act wrongfully and a

person’s property must not be taken, except with his own good will".
Another well known Hadith reports Rasulullah  as
saying, "If a person wrongfully takes a span of land belonging to
another, he will be made to wear round his neck (on the Day of
Qiyaamah) a collar of earth, in breadth a span but in length stretching
out to the extent of seven earths. (Mishkaat)
The coming of Hawaazin’s deputation to Rasulullah  is
a famous incident, which is very relevant here. After they had been
defeated in the battle, a deputation of the Hawaazin tribe came to
304 Zakaat

Rasulullah  in order to accept Islam and asked him to

return to them their wealth and captives, which had been taken as
booty. Rasulullah  said that both together could not be
returned to them and told them to choose one of the two, the captives
or the wealth.
The promise to return one of the two was made because it was in
the best interest of Islam and the Muslims. When the Hawaazin
replied that they preferred their captives, Rasulullah  called
the Muslims who were entitled to a share in the booty and said, "I
have promised to return their captives to the Hawaazin; so, those of
you who are willing to release their captives, without any
compensation from us, should act accordingly. As for those who want
a compensation, we shall recompense them for releasing the captives
that have fallen to their share.
The Sahaabah , having understood the wish of Nabi
, said in a single voice that they would be pleased to follow
the example of Rasulullah  and release all the captives. But
Rasulullah  said, "In a large gathering, it cannot be judged
for certain which of you are willing from their hearts (to release the
captives). So, let your leaders talk to each one of you in private and
tell me about your willingness." (Bukhaari)
This is the example set by Rasulullah  with regard to
the care to be taken before using the wealth belonging to others. This
Hadith is supported by many Ahaadith to the effect that it is unlawful
to take a thing belonging to another, by force or compulsion.
The virtuous Ulama are extremely careful in such matters, so
much so that they do not approve of the donations which are
collected in public. For, they argue, a person may donate for a cause
simply because he is embarrassed to say ‘no’ in public. Hence, it is
very important that we do not go beyond the limits and never take
anything belonging to others through co-ersion.
And we should not be over-awed with some movements, etc, that
are launched from time to time, to hold opinions or act contrary to
 Fazaaile Sadaqaat 305

the precedents set by the pious Ulama of the past. Undoubtedly, the
desire to help the poor is praiseworthy but the limits set by Islam are
not to be violated. Rasulullah  once said, "The worst of
people is he who does harm to his own life in the Aakhirah, for the
worldly benefit of other people." (Mishkaat)

2. So, Ifraat (extremism) should be avoided at all costs; but no

less harmful is the habit of acting upon the Tafreet (the
opposite extremism) which, in this regard, means to feel
appeased in fulfilling one’s dues based on the most strict
calculations. True, Zakaat alone is compulsory upon wealth,
but one should not be content to pay the minimum alone. So
far, we have quoted many Ahaadith in this book which make
it abundantly clear that it is the wealth spent in our life time,
for the cause of Allah, which alone will benefit us in the
Aakhirah as it is like money deposited with Allah Ta’ala.
After a man passes away, there are few to remember him,
and, in course of time, even the parents, wife and children
forget about him. They shed tears of sorrow, real or false, for a
few days and thereafter engage themselves in their worldly
pursuits. Then, for months together, and even for long years,
nobody thinks of the dead relatives.

Besides, regarding the above mentioned Hadith, one point is worthy

of special notice and is of general importance. Nowadays most people
say silly and meaningless things about religion. For example, people
are often heard saying, "We are men of the world; it is more than
enough that we fulfil our Fardh (obligatory) duties and it is for the
great saints to observe optional (Nafl) devotions."
Now this sort of reasoning is a trap of shaytaan and illogical. The
fact is that voluntary and nafl actions are meant to make up for the
deficiencies in the observance of obligatory (Fardh) religious
practices. For, who can claim to have fulfilled all his Faraaidh duties
perfectly and strictly according to the commands of Allah Ta’ala.
306 Zakaat

And, since mistakes do occur, the nafl actions are meant to make up
for the deficiencies. Rasulullah  has said, "A person finishes
performing his Salaah but a tenth part of his Salaah, or a ninth part,
or an eighth part or a seventh part or a sixth part or a fifth part or a
fourth part or a third part or half of it is recorded as acceptable
(according to the quality of his Salaah).” (Abu Dawood)
The Hadith indicates, by illustration, that everyone receives a
reward according to the requirements fulfilled by him in his Salaah.
We are fully aware how deficient in quality our Salaahs are, and we
should regard it a special favour of Allah Ta’ala if He granted us a
thousandth, or even a millionth part of the reward meant for a perfect
Salaah. As a matter of fact, our Salaah is not worthy of acceptance by
Allah Ta’ala because of our evil deeds and deficiency in sincerity!
Indeed, as described in a Hadith, our Salaah is such as deserves to be
rejected and thrown back on our faces, like a wrapped up rag of
tattered cloth. When such is the quality of our Salaah, we never can
tell what fraction of the reward has been recorded for us!
A Hadith says: "The first thing about which people will be asked
on the Day of Qiyaamah is Salaah. Allah Ta’ala will say to the angels,
‘Look at the Salaah of My servant and see whether he has read it
perfectly or not.’ If perfect, it will be recorded as perfect; and if
defective, the defect will be written down. Then Allah Ta’ala will say,
‘See if there are some extra (Nafl) Salaahs belonging to My servant.’ If
there are Nafl Salaahs, Allah Ta’ala will say, ‘Cover up what is short
in his Fardh Salaahs by the Nawaafil.’ Then Zakaat will be treated in
the same way (that is, the Fardh Sadaqah will be questioned first and
then the Nafl Sadaqah will cover up for the mistakes in his Fardh
Sadaqah). Then all the other A’amaal will be questioned in the same
way.”
So those who pay their Fardh Zakaat should not think that that is
enough. Nobody knows how many mistakes he has made in his
Fardh. To cover up the mistakes, we need to have a lot of Nafl
Sadaqah.
 Fazaaile Sadaqaat 307

It is a common practice that when a person goes to court, he

carries with him a sufficient amount of money, in excess of the
calculated expenses, allowing for unforeseen emergencies. The Court
of Allah is supreme, where nobody can hide facts, nor can the force of
arguments or intercession help anyone. It is true that the Mercy of
Allah covers everything else and all fardh acts are due rights that
people owe to Allah, Who may forego His rights if He wills and
nobody would question Him if He did so. But forgiveness is not a
matter of right and no one should commit a sin in the hope of the
mercy of Allah. Therefore, a person should regularly perform the
fardh obligations, fulfilling all the necessary conditions and observing
the proper etiquettes, but he should not rest content with having
fulfilled what was due from him. He should do a lot of Nafl Ibaadaat
because this will cover up for what is short in the Fardh. Seventy
nawaafil are equal to one Fardh. (For example, seventy Rakaats of
Nafl Salaah are equal to one Rakaat of Fardh Salaah). Of course, we
should be very careful about doing our Faraaidh correctly. If there are
any mistakes, then our nafl will cover up. So to be on the safe side,
we should also do a lot of nafl ibaadat.
Remember, if anyone gives Sadaqah from haraam money, he will
get no reward for it. A Hadith says, "Allah Ta’ala does not accept the
Sadaqah given from the wealth of ‘Ghulool’ (taking from the spoils of
war wrongfully)." The Ulama have said that the Hadith talks about
Ghulool, because everybody has a share in the booty. Wealth taken
dishonestly out of war is not accepted as Sadaqah, even though the
dishonest person also has a share in the booty.
Obviously, money stolen from someone (and then given as
Sadaqah), in which the giver has no share, will definitely not be
accepted by Allah Ta’ala. Rasulullah  once said, "Whoever
earns money in a haraam way, and spends it, shall not be blessed; and
it will not be accepted from him if he gives it away as Sadaqah; and if
he leaves some of it behind (i.e. when he dies), it will be his provision
for Jahannam." Ibn Mas’ood  says, "If anyone earns halaal
wealth, but does not pay Zakaat on it, then he makes his wealth
308 Zakaat

filthy, and whoever earns haraam wealth and spends some of it as

Zakaat, still cannot clean his wealth by doing so."