Sayyiduna Abu Umamah bin Sahl (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates from his father that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered the giving of charity and zakah, and a man brought a bunch of poor-quality dates. He (peace and blessings be upon him) saw it and said: "Who brought this?" (At that time) whatever anyone brought would be attributed to the one who brought it. Then this verse was revealed: "And do not aim for the bad (of it), spending from it." [Surah al-Baqarah: 267]. He said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade the taking of poor-quality dates (al-ju'rur) and dull-coloured dates (al-hubayq) as zakah.
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الزكاة / 7526