Mukhtasar Muslim

‘Abdul Muttalib bin Rabee’ah bin Harith says that Rabee’ah (may Allah be pleased with him) bin Harith and Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) bin Abdul Muttalib both gathered and said, “By Allah, let us send these two boys (i.e., me and Fadl bin Abbas) to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and let them go and request that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) appoint them as collectors over the zakat. And they will bring it to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) as others do, and they will receive something as others receive.” While this conversation was taking place, Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) bin Abi Talib also came and stood by them, so both of them mentioned this to Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Do not send them, for by Allah! The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) will not do this.” (Because he knew that zakat is forbidden for the Sayyids.) So Rabee’ah bin Harith began to speak ill of Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and said, “By Allah, you are doing this out of jealousy towards us. And by Allah, the honor you have attained by being the son-in-law of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), we do not envy you for that at all.” Then Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Fine, send them both.” So we both went, and Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) lay down. Then, when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) had finished the Zuhr prayer, we both quickly reached the chamber before the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and stood by the chamber until the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived. He took hold of our ears (this was the Messenger of Allah’s affection and playfulness, as boys are pleased by this) and said, “Reveal what you have hidden in your hearts.” Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) also entered the chamber, and we did too, and that day the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was with Umm al-Mu’minin Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with her). Then we said to each other, “You speak.” So one of us said, “O Messenger of Allah! You are the most dutiful in maintaining ties of kinship and the most beneficent to relatives, and we have reached the age of marriage. We have come so that you may appoint us as collectors over these zakat funds, so that we may bring them to you as others do, and we may receive something as others receive.” (So that we may cover the expenses of our marriage.) Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) remained silent for a long time until we wished to speak again, and Umm al-Mu’minin Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with her) signaled to us from behind the curtain not to say anything further. Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Zakat is not suitable for the family of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him); it is the filth of the people.” (Perhaps this is where the saying comes from that money is the dirt of the hands.) “Bring to me Mahmiya (may Allah be pleased with him)” (he was the treasurer of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, appointed over the khums) “and Naufal bin Harith bin Abdul Muttalib.” The narrator said, “Then both of them came, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Mahmiya (may Allah be pleased with him), ‘Marry your daughter to this boy, Fadl bin Abbas.’ So he married his daughter to him. And he said to Naufal bin Harith, ‘Marry your daughter to this boy (i.e., Abdul Muttalib bin Rabee’ah, who is the narrator of the hadith).’ So he gave his daughter to me in marriage. And he said to Mahmiya, ‘Pay the dowry of both of them from the khums, such and such amount.’ Zuhri said, ‘My teacher Abdullah bin Abdullah did not mention to me the amount of the dowry.’”