The Obligation of al-Zakat (charity) and Necessary Payments from Properties

“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 cannot pay their debts, for the cause of Allah, and for those who have become needy on a journey. Paying zakat is an obligation that Allah has decreed. Allah is All-knowing and All-wise. ’(9:60) ‘Can all the people and cases mentioned in this verse receive zakat even though they may not believe (in Divine Authority of ’A’immah)?’ He replied, ‘The Imam gives charity to all of them; they announce their obedience to him.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘Even if they do not acknowledge (his Divine Authority)?’ He then said, ‘O Zurarah, were he to give charity only to those who acknowledge (his Divine Authority) and not to others, there would remain no one or cases as recipient of (zakat) charity. He gives charity to those who do not acknowledge (his divine authority) so they incline to religion to become strong (in faith). However, today you and your friends give zakat only to those who acknowledge (our Divine Authority) if you find one who believes (in our Divine Authority).’ He then said, ‘The share of those who show interest in Islam and the share of slaves to be emancipated are of general nature and other shares in a charity are for certain people but not for everyone.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘What happens if there is no recipient of zakat?’ He replied, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has not made any charity compulsory without any recipient.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘What happens if charity is not enough?’ He replied, ‘The amount of compulsory charity Allah has sanctioned in the properties of affluent people for the poor ones is enough. If He knew that it is not enough, He would sanction a greater amount. Shortages do not come from the amount Allah has made compulsory but it comes from non-payment. There are those who do not pay what belongs to the needy, thus, shortages are not due to the degree of Allah’s sanctioned charity for the needy. Had people paid the rights of the needy, they would have lived happy.’”

“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 cleanse them . . .’ (9:103) It was revealed in the month of Ramadan, the Messenger of Allah commanded his announcer to announce among people that Allah has made it compulsory on you to pay zakat (charity) just as He has made obligatory upon you to perform Salah (prayer). Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has made it compulsory to pay zakat on gold and silver; and on cattle: camel, cows, sheep; and on grains: wheat, barley, dates and raisins. The announcer announced it in the month of Ramadan. He exempted them from payment of zakat on other forms of properties.’ The Imam then said, ‘Besides, He did not make it compulsory to pay zakat on their properties before the end of the year. They completed fasting. He then commanded his announcer to announce among the Muslims, “O Muslims, pay zakat on your properties; your Salah (prayer) will be accepted.’” He said, ‘Then he (the Messenger of Allah) sent his land assessor and tax collectors among people to collect zakat.’”

“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.”

“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.”

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

“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.’”

“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 the properties of affluent people for the needy enough to meet their needs. If it were in His knowledge that such share is not enough for them, He would have increased it. What the needy people face is because of withholding payment of zakat which is denying the rights of the needy, not because of the degree of the amount made compulsory.”

“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 lives and because of paying zakat, they are called Muslims. However, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has assigned other shares in the properties of the affluent people, which are other than zakat. This is what a man considers necessary to pay from his property as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has mentioned in His book: ‘They are those who assign a certain share of their property (70:24) for the needy and the deprived (70:25).’ The ‘certain share’ is something other than zakat. It is what one considers necessary to pay to the needy. He must, however, do so according to his financial abilities and then pay what he has considered necessary. He may pay every day, every Friday or every month. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has also said, ‘The charitable men and women who give a virtuous loan to Allah will receive double from Him in addition to their honorable reward.’ (57:18) This also is something other than zakat. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has said again, ‘. . . My believing servants . . . spend for the cause of their Lord, both in private and in public, out of what We have given them. . . .’ (14:31) Assistance is a form of loan, borrowing a certain item or lending a helping hand are also of matters Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has made necessary and they are other than zakat. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has said, ‘Those who fulfill their promise to and covenant with Allah (13:20), who maintain all the proper relations that Allah has commanded them to maintain, who have fear of their Lord and the hardships of the Day of Judgment’ (13:21). Those who pay what Allah has made compulsory have fulfilled their duties and have paid thanks to Allah for His bounties in his properties. In this way he has thanked Allah for what Allah has granted him and has given him preference over others as wealthier than others and has given him the opportunity to fulfill his duty toward Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, and has helped him to do so.”

“Once we were in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). With us, there were certain wealthier persons. People spoke about zakat. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘One does not become very much praiseworthy for paying zakat, although it is something purifying. Obviously, he has only protected his life and because of such payment is called a Muslim. Were he not to pay zakat his Salah (prayer) would not receive acceptance. However, on your properties, payments other than zakat are also due.’ I (the narrator) than asked, ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, what other payments, besides zakat, are due on our properties?’ He replied, ‘Allah is free of all defects. Have you not heard the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, in His book, “They are those who assign a certain share of their property (70:24) for the needy and the deprived.” (70:25) I (the narrator) then asked, ‘What is the “certain share,” in our properties, due on us?’ He replied, ‘It is the amount that one pays from his property every day, or every Friday or every month in small amounts or large amounts and continues doing so. It also is mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, “. . . and refuse to help the needy.” (107:7) This kind of help is what one considers necessary to pay as a loan, or a favor or household items borrowed and of this kind is zakat.’ I then said, ‘We have such neighbors that on lending things to them they may break or destroy them. Is it alright if we deny them such things?’ He replied, ‘In such case you are not blamed.’ I then asked about the words of Allah, ‘They feed the destitute, orphans, and captives for the love of Allah. . .’ (76:8) He said, ‘That is not of zakat.’ I then asked about the words of Allah, Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . they spent their property during the night and day, publicly or privately’ (2:273) He said, ‘It is not of zakat.’ I then asked about the words of Allah, Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘It is alright if you pay charity publicly but if you pay to the needy privately it is better for you.’ (2:270) The Imam said, ‘It is not of zakat. Keeping good relations with your relatives is not of zakat.’”

“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 that Allah gives to an affluent person who pays a thousand or two or three or less or more to keep good relations with relatives or relieve the burdens of his people.’”

“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.’ (70:25) What is this ‘certain share’?”’ Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), said to him, ‘The ‘certain share’ is what a man pays from his property. It is not zakat or obligatory charity.’ He then asked, ‘If it is not of zakat or obligatory charity, then what is it?’ The Imam replied, ‘It is what a person pays from his property in small or larger amounts according to his ability.’ The man then asked, ‘What does he do with it?’ The Imam replied, ‘He thereby keeps good relation with relatives, entertains guest, relieves a burden, keeps good relations with a brother in faith, for the sake of Allah or fends off thereby a misfortune.’ The man then said, ‘Allah knows best where to keep (whom to entrust with) His message.’”

“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 business transactions.’” “In another Hadith it is narrated from abu Ja‘far and abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhim al-Salam, who have said, ‘Deprived is a person who has no problem in his understanding but is very tight in means of living.’”

“Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, when a man asked him, ‘For how much property is it compulsory to pay zakat?’ 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.’”

“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).’ The Imam then asked, ‘Do you want until you make a business gain?’ He replied ‘No, by Allah, (I do not have any business).’ The Imam then asked, ‘Do you want to borrow until you receive profit from a contract you have made?’ He replied, ‘No, by Allah, (I do not have any such contract)’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘You then are of those for whom Allah has set a share in our properties.’ He then asked to bring for him a bag with dirhams in it. He then picked up a handful of money there-from and gave it to him saying, ‘Observe piety before Allah. Do not spend it extravagantly or miserly but spend it in a balanced manner. Spending in a wasteful manner is extravagance and Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, forbids it, “Do not squander your belongings wastefully. . . (17:27)’” Al-Hassan ibn Mahbub has narrated from Sa‘dan ibn Muslim from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), a similar Hadith.”

“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 “certain share” out of your wealth?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I pay.’ The Imam then asked, ‘Do you maintain good relations with your relatives?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I do so.’ The Imam asked, ‘Do you keep good relations with your brothers in faith?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I do so.’ The Imam then said, ‘O ‘Ammar, wealth goes away, bodies become old but deeds remain. The One who rewards for good deeds lives forever and never dies. O ‘Ammar, what you save as good deeds do not leave you behind and what you postponed never come to join you.’”

“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, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has made compulsory upon you, publicly is better than paying privately. It is better to pay privately what is paid voluntarily. A person’s carrying zakat that he must pay, on his shoulders that he then distributes in public is just fine and beautiful.’”

“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.’”

“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.’”

“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 things and said, ‘It is worthless.’ He then said, ‘An affluent person faces the danger of owing compulsory payments of the rights of Allah. By Allah, I may receive bounties from Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, and I continue to be afraid’ - moving his hand- ’until I pay off what Allah has made compulsory upon me to pay.’ I then said, ’I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, why you fear with such a prominent position before Allah?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I do and I am thankful to Allah for what He has granted me.’”