Complete rulings and issues of Zakat in the light of the Quran and authentic Hadiths

This excerpt is taken from Abu Muhammad Khurram Shahzad's book on the correct rulings and issues of Zakat.

Correct Rulings and Issues of Zakat​

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◈ Linguistic Explanation of Zakat:​

In the language, the word Zakat is used in the meanings of "growth, development, and purity."

Reference: (Al-Munjid, p: 339)

Zakat is called Zakat because it increases the wealth of the one who gives it. As Allah Almighty says: "Allah increases the charities (Zakat)."

Reference: (Surah Al-Baqarah: 276)

◈ The Obligation, Virtue, and Importance of Zakat:​

Whoever is capable, it is obligatory for him to pay Zakat; this purifies and blesses his wealth and helps the poor and needy. Please see the details regarding Zakat. Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ﴾
"And give Zakat."

Reference: (2-البقرة:43)

In another place, Allah Almighty says:
﴿خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا﴾
"(O Prophet ﷺ) Take from their wealth a charity (Zakat) to purify and sanctify them."

Reference: (9-التوبة:103)

Allah Almighty has stated regarding Zakat:
﴿وَآتُوا حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ ۖ وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ﴾
"And give its due (Zakat) on the day of its harvest (i.e., at the time of harvesting crops and gathering fruits) and do not exceed the limits; indeed, He does not like those who exceed the limits."

Reference: (6-الأنعام:141)

﴿إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ﴾
"Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds and established prayer and given Zakat will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve."

Reference: (2-البقرة:277)

﴿الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ. أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقًّا ۚ لَّهُمْ دَرَجَاتٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ.﴾
Those who establish prayer and spend from what We have provided them (i.e., give Zakat) are the true believers; for them are many degrees with their Lord and forgiveness and noble provision.

Reference: (8-الأنفال:3,4)

﴿وَمَا آتَيْتُم مِّن زَكَاةٍ تُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُضْعِفُونَ﴾
And whatever Zakat you give seeking the pleasure of Allah, it is they who will increase their wealth.

Reference: (30-الروم:39)

عن ابن عباس أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم بعث معاذا رضي الله عنه إلى اليمن فقال ادعهم إلى شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله وأني رسول الله فإن هم أطاعوا لذلك فأعلمهم أن الله قد افترض عليهم خمس صلوات فى كل يوم وليلة فإن هم أطاعوا لذلك فأعلمهم أن الله افترض عليهم صدقة فى أموالهم تؤخذ من أغنيائهم وترد على فقرائهم.
Narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them), when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sent Muadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) to Yemen, he said: "Invite them to bear witness that there is no deity but Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah. If they accept this, then inform them that Allah has made five daily prayers obligatory upon them. If they accept this, then inform them that Allah has made Zakat obligatory on their wealth, which is to be taken from their rich and given to their poor."

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1395, 1458 - Sahih Muslim: 121)

عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بني الإسلام على خمس شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا رسول الله وإقام الصلاة وإيتاء الزكاة والحج وصوم رمضان.
"Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Islam is built upon five pillars: to bear witness that there is no deity but Allah and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His Messenger, to establish prayer, to give Zakat, to perform Hajj, and to fast during Ramadan."

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 8)

Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:
عن أنس أن أبا بكر رضى الله عنه كتب له هذا الكتاب لما وجهه إلى البحرين بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم هذه فريضة الصدقة التى فرض رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على المسلمين والتي أمر الله بها رسوله.
"Abu Bakr Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote this document that details the obligatory charity (i.e., Zakat) which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has made obligatory upon the Muslims as commanded by Allah to His Messenger."

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1454)

عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من تصدق بعدل تمرة من كسب طيب ولا يقبل الله إلا الطيب وإن الله يتقبلها بيمينه ثم يربيها لصاحبه كما يربي أحدكم فلوه حتى تكون مثل الجبل.
"Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Whoever gives in charity the equivalent of a date from lawful earnings, while Allah only accepts lawful wealth, Allah accepts it with His right hand, then He increases it for its owner just as one of you raises his horse's colt, until it becomes like a mountain."

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1410 - Sahih Muslim: 2390)

عن أبى هريرة عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال ما نقصت صدقة من مال وما زاد الله عبدا بعفو إلا عزا وما تواضع أحد لله إلا رفعه الله.
Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Charity does not decrease wealth, and forgiving and overlooking increases a person's honor, and whoever humbles himself for the sake of Allah, Allah will elevate him.

Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 6757)

Warning of the punishment of fire for not paying Zakat​

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➊ The command of Allah, the Exalted, is:
﴿وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ بِمَا آتَاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ هُوَ خَيْرًا لَّهُم ۖ بَلْ هُوَ شَرٌّ لَّهُمْ ۖ سَيُطَوَّقُونَ مَا بَخِلُوا بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ﴾
"Those who hoard what Allah has given them of His bounty should not think that it is better for them; rather, it is worse for them. Soon, on the Day of Resurrection, their miserliness will be a collar around their necks."

Reference: (3-Al-Imran:180)

Five trials, one of which is not paying Zakat:
عن عطاء بن أبى رباح قال: كنت عند عبد الله بن عمر، فقال: كنت عاشر عشرة فى مسجد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : أبو بكر، وعمر، وعثمان، وعلي، وابن مسعود، وابن جبل، وحذيفة، وابن عوف، وأبو سعيد الخدري، وأنا، فجاء فتى من الأنصار، فسلم، ثم جلس، فقال: يا رسول الله، أى المؤمنين أفضل؟ فقال: أحسنهم خلقا. قال: ف أى المؤمنين أكيس؟ قال: أكثرهم للموت ذكرا، وأحسنهم استعدادا قبل أن ينزل به، أولٰئك هم الأكياس. ثم سكت الفتى، فأقبل علينا النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: يا معشر المهاجرين، خصال خمس إن ابتليتم بهن ونزلن بكم، وأعوذ بالله أن تدركوهن: لم تظهر الفاحشة فى قوم قط حتى يعلنوا بها إلا ظهر فيهم الطاعون والأوجاع التى لم تكن مضت فى أسلافهم الذين مضوا، ولن ينقصوا المكيال والميزان إلا أخذوا بالسنين وشدة المؤنة وجور السلطان عليهم، ولم يمنعوا زكاة أموالهم إلا منعوا القطر من السماء، ولولا البهائم لم يمطروا، ولن ينقضوا عهد الله ورسوله إلا سلط الله عليهم عدوا من غيرهم فأخذوا بعض ما فى أيديهم، وما لم يحكموا بكتاب الله إلا جعل الله بأسهم بينهم.
The trustworthy Tabi'i, Ata bin Abi Rabah, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates that I was with Sayyidina Abdullah bin Umar, may Allah be pleased with them. Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said: I was among the ten individuals who were in the mosque of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him: Sayyidina Abu Bakr Siddiq, Sayyidina Umar, Sayyidina Uthman, Sayyidina Ali, Sayyidina Ibn Mas'ud, Sayyidina Mu'adh bin Jabal, Sayyidina Hudhayfah, Sayyidina Abdur Rahman bin Awf, Sayyidina Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with them, and I. A young man from the Ansar came, greeted the Prophet, peace be upon him, and then sat down. He said: O Messenger of Allah! Who is the best among the Muslims? The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: The one with the best character. He asked: Who is the most intelligent among the Muslims? The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: The one who frequently remembers death and prepares for it; such people are the wise ones. Then the young man became silent, and the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, turned to us and said: O group of Emigrants! There are five trials that you will face, and I seek refuge with Allah that you encounter them. (1) When immorality becomes widespread among a people and they openly commit it, then plagues and various diseases, which were not among their forefathers, will spread among them. (2) When people cheat in measurements and weights, they will be afflicted by droughts, severe hardships, and the tyranny of rulers will overpower them. (3) When people do not pay Zakat, the rain from the sky will be withheld, and if it were not for the animals, it would not rain upon them. (4) When people break the covenant with Allah and His Messenger, peace be upon him, Allah will impose upon them their enemies, who are from outside, and they will seize some of their wealth. (5) When the rulers of the Muslims do not judge according to the Book of Allah and do not prefer His revealed laws, Allah will cause them to fight among themselves.

Reference: (Al-Mu'jam Al-Awsat by Al-Tabarani: 4671, its chain is good)

➋ At another place, Allah, the Exalted, said:
﴿وَالَّذِينَ يَكْنِزُونَ الذَّهَبَ وَالْفِضَّةَ وَلَا يُنفِقُونَهَا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَبَشِّرْهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ . يَوْمَ يُحْمَىٰ عَلَيْهَا فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ فَتُكْوَىٰ بِهَا جِبَاهُهُمْ وَجُنُوبُهُمْ وَظُهُورُهُمْ ۖ هَٰذَا مَا كَنَزْتُمْ لِأَنفُسِكُمْ فَذُوقُوا مَا كُنتُمْ تَكْنِزُونَ.﴾
"Those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah, give them the tidings of a painful punishment. The day when that treasure will be heated in the Fire of Hell, and with it, their foreheads, sides, and backs will be branded. (And it will be said to them) This is what you have hoarded for yourselves; so taste the punishment of your hoarded treasures."

Reference: (9-At-Tawbah:34,35)

If the Zakat of gold and silver is not paid, then on the Day of Resurrection, plates of gold and silver will be made and heated in the fire, and the foreheads, backs, and sides of their owners will be branded. And if the Zakat of animals is not paid, then on the Day of Resurrection, those animals will trample their owner underfoot for fifty thousand years:
عن أبى هريرة يقول قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ما من صاحب ذهب ولا فضة لا يؤدي منها حقها إلا إذا كان يوم القيامة صفحت له صفائح من نار فأحمي عليها فى نار جهنم فيكوىٰ بها جنبه وجبينه وظهره كلما بردت أعيدت له فى يوم كان مقداره خمسين ألف سنة حتى يقضىٰ بين العباد فيرىٰ سبيله إما إلى الجنة وإما إلى النار قيل يا رسول الله فالإبل قال ولا صاحب إبل لا يؤدي منها حقها ومن حقها حلبها يوم وردها إلا إذا كان يوم القيامة سطح لها بقاع قرقر أوفر ما كانت لا يفقد منها فصيلا واحدا تطؤه بأخفافها وتعضه بأفواهها كلما مرت عليه أولاها ردت عليه أخراها فى يوم كان مقداره خمسين ألف سنة حتى يقضىٰ بين العباد فيرىٰ سبيله إما إلى الجنة وإما إلى النار قيل يا رسول الله فالبقر والغنم قال ولا صاحب بقر ولا غنم لا يؤدي منها حقها إلا إذا كان يوم القيامة سطح لها بقاع قرقر لا يفقد منها شيئا ليس فيها عقصاء ولا جلحاء ولا عصباء تنطحه بقرونها وتطأه بأظلافها كلما مرت عليه أولاها ردت عليه أخراها فى يوم كان مقداره خمسين ألف سنة حتى يقضىٰ بين العباد فيرىٰ سبيله إما إلى الجنة وإما إلى النار.
Sayyidina Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: Whoever possesses gold and silver but does not pay its due (i.e., Zakat), on the Day of Resurrection, plates of that (gold and silver) will be made. Then they will be heated in the Fire of Hell. Then they will be branded on the sides, foreheads, and backs of that (denier of Zakat). Whenever (these plates are taken) back to the fire for heating, they will be returned again (for punishment); this treatment will continue all day long, equivalent to fifty thousand years, until the judgments among people are made. Then he will look towards his path, either to Paradise or to Hell. It was asked, O Messenger of Allah, what about camels? He said: Whoever possesses camels and does not pay their due (Zakat), and it is also his right to milk them on the day of watering (and according to Arab custom, give that milk to the poor), he will be laid face down in a flat plain on the Day of Resurrection, and those camels will come to him very fat and plump, and none of them will be less than one. (i.e., all of them) will trample him with their hooves and bite him with their mouths. When the first camel passes by, the second will come (this treatment will continue) all day long, equivalent to fifty thousand years, until the judgments among people are made. Then he will look towards his path, either to Paradise or to Hell. It was asked, O Messenger of Allah, what about cows and sheep? He said: There is no cow or sheep owner who does not pay their due (Zakat), but when the Day of Resurrection comes, he will be laid face down on a flat ground, and none of those cows and sheep will be less than one. (All of them will come) and none of them will have broken horns, nor will they be without horns, nor will they have broken horns. They will strike him with their horns and trample him with their hooves. When the first one passes, the last will come. (i.e., they will keep coming) This will continue all day long, equivalent to fifty thousand years, until the judgments among the servants are made. Then he will look towards his path, either to Paradise or to Hell.

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1460 - Sahih Muslim: 2337)

◈The wealth of those who do not pay Zakat will become a bald snake around their necks on the Day of Judgment​

عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من آتاه الله مالا فلم يؤد زكاته مثل له ماله يوم القيامة شجاعا أقرع له زبيبتان يطوقه يوم القيامة ثم يأخذ بلهز متيه يعني بشدقيه ثم يقول أنا مالك أنا كنزك ثم تلا ﴿لَا يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ﴾ الآية.
Sayyidina Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Whoever Allah has given wealth and he does not pay its Zakat, then on the Day of Judgment, his wealth will take the form of a bald snake, which will have two spots (marks) on its eyes, and it will become a collar around his neck. Then it will hold his two jaws and say, "I am your wealth, I am your treasure." Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) recited this verse: (Translation) "Those who have been given wealth by Allah out of His grace and they are miserly, do not think that this miserliness is better for them; rather, it is bad for them. Soon, on the Day of Judgment, this miserliness will become a collar around their necks."

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1403)

Zakat on Gold and Silver​

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◈Warning of Fire for Not Paying Zakat on Gold and Silver Jewelry​

عن عمرو بن شعيب عن أبيه عن جده أن امرأة أتت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ومعها ابنة لها وفي يد ابنتها مسكتان غليظتان من ذهب فقال لها أتعطين زكاة هٰذا؟ قالت لا. قال أيسرك أن يسورك الله بهما يوم القيامة سوارين من نار؟ قال فخلعتهما فألقتهما إلى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم وقالت هما لله عز وجل ولرسوله.
Amr bin Shu'aib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from his father, who narrates from his grandfather, that a woman came to the Prophet (peace be upon him). She had her daughter with her, who was wearing two thick gold bangles. The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked her, "Do you pay their Zakat?" She said, "No." The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Would you like that Allah adorns you with two bangles of fire on the Day of Resurrection in exchange for them?" Upon hearing this, she took off both bangles and presented them to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said that they are for Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him).

Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 1563, its chain is good)

عن أم سلمة قالت كنت ألبس أوضاحا من ذهب فقلت يا رسول الله أكنز هو؟ فقال: ما بلغ أن تؤدىٰ زكاته فزكي فليس بكنز.
It is narrated by Sayyida Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she used to wear gold jewelry, and she said: O Messenger of Allah! Is this treasure? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "When you pay its Zakat, then it is not a treasure."

Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 1564, its chain is good)

عن عبد الله بن شداد بن الهاد أنه قال دخلنا علىٰ عائشة زوج النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فقالت دخل على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فرأىٰ فى يدي فتخات من ورق فقال ما هٰذا يا عائشة؟ فقلت صنعتهن أتزين لك يا رسول الله. قال أتؤدين زكاتهن؟ قلت لا أو ما شاء الله. قال هو حسبك من النار.
The trustworthy Tabi'i Abdullah bin Shaddad states that we went to Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), and she said: The Prophet (peace be upon him) came to me, and he saw some silver rings on my hand and said: Aisha, what is this? I said: I made them so that, O Messenger of Allah! I can adorn myself for you. The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked: Do you pay their Zakat? I said: No, or whatever Allah wills. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: These are sufficient to take you to Hell.

Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 1565, its chain is good)

Clarification: From these hadiths, it is understood that Zakat is obligatory on both gold and silver jewelry, and in the hadith of Sayyida Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her), the word "treasure" means wealth. Since the Quran has issued a severe warning regarding those who hoard gold and silver (i.e., those who do not pay their Zakat), Sayyida Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) inquired from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).

The Nisab of Zakat on Gold and Silver​

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The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
وفي الرقة ربع العشر فإن لم تكن إلا تسعين ومائة فليس فيها شيء إلا أن يشاء ربها.
And the due Zakat on silver is one-fortieth (obligatory), if a person does not have (200 dirhams) but has one hundred and ninety dirhams (190 dirhams), then there is no Zakat, but if the owner wishes, he can give (Zakat) voluntarily (i.e., Zakat is obligatory on two hundred (200) dirhams).

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1454)

Note: رقه refers to silver; some have used the term رقه for both gold and silver (and this is correct). Giving Zakat on gold is established by authentic Hadiths, but all the Hadiths regarding the Nisab of gold are weak, while the Hadiths regarding the Nisab of silver are authentic. Therefore, the Nisab of Zakat for both will be based on silver, meaning when the value of gold equals two hundred dirhams, Zakat will be obligatory on gold. (والله اعلم بالصواب)
Since the Nisab of silver is five uqiyah, which is two hundred (200) dirhams, and according to current standards, five uqiyah of silver weighs fifty-two and a half tola, and at this time, the price of one tola of silver is "1416" rupees. If the price of one tola of silver (1416 rupees) is multiplied by the price of fifty-two and a half tola of silver, the current price of fifty-two and a half tola of silver becomes 74340 rupees. Therefore, whoever has 74340 rupees must pay 2.5% Zakat after one year has passed. Similarly, whoever has gold or silver worth 74340 rupees must also pay Zakat. Furthermore, at this time, the price of one tola of gold (22 karat) is 95500 rupees, and the price of pure one tola of gold is one hundred six thousand five hundred (106500 rupees). Now everyone can calculate for themselves that if they have money (cash), or gold, or silver worth 74340 rupees, then Zakat is obligatory on them, and at this time, Zakat is obligatory on a quarter tola of gold because the price of a quarter tola of gold is 79875 rupees. In short, Zakat is obligatory on fifty-two and a half tola of silver (200 dirhams) or an amount of money (cash) worth that much or gold worth that amount because all Hadiths regarding the Nisab of seven and a half tola of gold are weak, which will be clarified, God willing, later in "Weak Rulings and Issues of Zakat."
Sayyidina Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
ليس فيما دون خمس أواق من الورق صدقة.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: If the silver is less than five uqiyah (i.e., two hundred dirhams), then there is no Zakat on it.

Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 2271. Sahih Bukhari: 1447)

Note: The Nisab for silver and gold is five uqiyah, with one uqiyah being forty (40) dirhams, thus the weight of five uqiyah is two hundred (200) dirhams, and according to current standards, five uqiyah of silver weighs fifty-two and a half tola.
Note: All Hadiths regarding the Nisab of seven and a half tola of gold are weak, which will be clarified, God willing, later in the weak rulings and issues of Zakat.

Zakat on Trade Goods​

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Zakat is obligatory on commercial assets, and its zakat will be paid after one year has passed; the details are presented here.
The command of Allah, the Exalted, is:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنفِقُوا مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا كَسَبْتُمْ وَمِمَّا أَخْرَجْنَا لَكُم مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ﴾
"O you who have believed! Spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth."

Reference: (2-Al-Baqarah:267)

Imam Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him, has established a chapter that
”صدقة الكسب والتجارة“ لقوله تعالى يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنفِقُوا مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا كَسَبْتُمْ۔۔۔ إلى قوله أَنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ حَمِيدٌ
Zakat is to be paid from the wealth of labor and trade because Allah, the Exalted, has said, "O you who have believed! Spend from the good things..."

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari, before the hadith: 1445)

Sayyidina Abdullah bin Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, states:
ليس فى العروض زكاة إلا عروض تجارة فإن فيها زكاة.
There is no zakat on (personal) items unless they are for trade, in which case there is zakat.

Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 3/183, Hadith: 10560, its chain is authentic)

Note: This narration is mursal but is considered raised in ruling.
Sayyidina Umar bin Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, wrote to his agents who collected zakat on commercial wealth that:
يؤخذ من المسلمين من كل أربعين درهما درهم...
It should be collected from the Muslims' (commercial wealth), one dirham for every forty dirhams as zakat.

Reference: (Kitab Al-Amwal for Qasim bin Salam: 1135, its chain is authentic)

Note: This narration is mursal but is considered raised in ruling, and from this narration, it is understood that paying five (5) dirhams as zakat on two hundred (200) dirhams is obligatory (i.e., two and a half percent zakat). Therefore, whoever possesses an amount equivalent to two hundred (200) dirhams, whether in cash, gold, or silver, is obligated to pay zakat. (واللہ اعلم بالصواب)

It is obligatory to pay Zakat after one year​

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Sayyidina Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
لا تجب فى مال زكاة حتىٰ يحول عليه الحول
Zakat is not obligatory on wealth until a year has passed over it.

Reference: (Muwatta Imam Malik: 660, its chain is authentic)

Note: This narration is suspended but is considered raised in ruling.

Zakat on animals​

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◈Zakat on camels and sheep, goats​

عن أنس رضي الله عنه أن أبا بكر الصديق رضى الله عنه كتب له: هٰذه فريضة الصدقة التى فرضها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على المسلمين والتي أمر الله بها رسوله: فى كل أربع وعشرين من الإبل فما دونها الغنم فى كل خمس شاة فإذا بلغت خمسا وعشرين إلىٰ خمس وثلاثين ففيها بنت مخاض أنثىٰ فإن لم تكن فابن لبون ذكر فإذا بلغت ستا وثلاثين إلىٰ خمس وأربعين ففيها بنت لبون أنثىٰ فإذا بلغت ستا وأربعين إلىٰ ستين ففيها حقة طروقة الجمل فإذا بلغت واحدة وستين إلىٰ خمس وسبعين ففيها جذعة فإذا بلغت ستا وسبعين إلىٰ تسعين ففيها بنتا لبون فإذا بلغت إحدىٰ وتسعين إلىٰ عشرين ومائة ففيها حقتان طروقتا الجمل فإذا زادت علىٰ عشرين ومائة ففي كل أربعين بنت لبون وفي كل خمسين حقة ومن لم يكن معه إلا أربع من الإبل فليس فيها صدقة إلا أن يشاء ربها وفي صدقة الغنم فى سائمتها إذا كانت أربعين إلىٰ عشرين ومائة شاة شاة فإذا زادت علىٰ عشرين ومائة إلىٰ مائتين ففيها شاتان فإذا زادت علىٰ مائتين إلىٰ ثلاث مائة ففيها ثلاث شياه فإذا زادت علىٰ ثلاث مائة ففي كل مائة شاة فإذا كانت سائمة الرجل ناقصة من أربعين شاة شاة واحدة فليس فيها صدقة إلا أن يشاء ربها ولا يجمع بين متفرق ولا يفرق بين مجتمع خشية الصدقة وما كان من خليطين فإنهما يتراجعان بينهما بالسوية ولا يخرج فى الصدقة هرمة ولا ذات عوار ولا تيس إلا أن يشاء المصدق وفي الرقة ربع العشر فإن لم تكن إلا تسعين ومائة فليس فيها صدقة إلا أن يشاء ربها ومن بلغت عنده من الإبل صدقة الجذعة وليست عنده جذعة وعنده حقة فإنها تقبل منه الحقة ويجعل معها شاتان إن استيسرتا له أو عشرون درهما ومن بلغت عنده صدقة الحقة وليست عنده الحقة وعنده الجذعة فإنها تقبل منه الجذعة ويعطيه المصدق عشرين درهما أو شاتين.
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Abu Bakr Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote to him that this is the detail of the obligatory Zakat which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has made obligatory upon the Muslims, which Allah has commanded His Messenger that the Zakat on twenty-four or fewer camels will be in goats. For every five camels, the Zakat is one goat. Then when the number of camels reaches between twenty-five and thirty-five, the Zakat will be a Bint Makhad (a one-year-old female camel), and if there is no Bint Makhad, then it will be an Ibn Labun (a two-year-old male camel). When the number is between thirty-six and forty-five, the Zakat will be a Bint Labun (a two-year-old female camel), and when this number reaches between forty-six and sixty, the Zakat will be one Haqqah (a three-year-old young female camel) that is capable of mating. Then when the number reaches between sixty-one and seventy-five, the Zakat will be one Jaza'ah (a four-year-old camel or female camel), and when it is between seventy-six and ninety, the Zakat will be two Bint Labun (two two-year-old female camels). When this number reaches between ninety-one and one hundred twenty, the Zakat will be two Haqqah (two three-year-old young female camels) that are capable of mating with a male. Then if there are more than one hundred twenty, for every forty camels, there will be one Bint Labun (a two-year-old female camel) and for every fifty, one Haqqah (a three-year-old female camel) as Zakat. And for one who has only four camels, there is no Zakat upon him unless the owner voluntarily gives something. And the Zakat on grazing goats is such that when there are between forty and one hundred twenty goats, there will be one goat as Zakat, and when they exceed one hundred twenty and reach two hundred, there will be two goats, and when they exceed two hundred and reach three hundred, there will be three goats as Zakat, and when they exceed three hundred, there will be one goat for every hundred. Then if a person has less than forty grazing goats, there is no Zakat upon him unless the owner wishes to give voluntarily.
And out of fear of paying Zakat, neither should separate goats be gathered nor should a single herd be divided, and if a herd belongs to two partners, they will be equal partners in Zakat, and no old or blind goat will be accepted in Zakat, nor will a male goat be taken unless the Zakat collector feels the need for it. And the Zakat on silver is one-fortieth (obligatory), and if there are one hundred ninety dirhams (190 dirhams), there is no Zakat on them unless the owner wishes to give voluntarily. And if someone's camels' Zakat amounts to one Jaza'ah (a four-year-old camel) and he does not have a Jaza'ah but has a Haqqah (a three-year-old female camel), then one Haqqah (a three-year-old female camel) and two goats will be taken from him if they are available; otherwise, a Haqqah (a three-year-old female camel) and twenty dirhams will be taken. And if his Zakat is a Haqqah (a three-year-old female camel) and he does not have a Haqqah but has a Jaza'ah (a four-year-old camel), then it will be accepted from him, and the Zakat collector will give him twenty dirhams or two goats.

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1450, 1451, 1453, 1454, 1455)

◈A Brief Summary of Zakat on Camels and Goats​

⟐ No Zakat on 4 camels.
⟐ From 5 to 24 camels, for every five camels, one goat is due as Zakat.
⟐ From 25 to 35 camels, one yearling she-camel.
⟐ From 36 to 45 camels, a two-year-old she-camel.
⟐ From 46 to 60 camels, a three-year-old she-camel.
⟐ From 61 to 75 camels, a four-year-old she-camel.
⟐ From 76 to 90 camels, two two-year-old she-camels.
⟐ From 91 to 120 camels, two three-year-old she-camels.
⟐ If the number exceeds 120, then for every forty camels, a two-year-old she-camel and for every fifty (50) camels, a three-year-old she-camel.
⟐ Even if a person has less than the Nisab, they can still give Zakat if they wish.
⟐ No Zakat on less than 40 goats.
⟐ From 40 to 120 goats, one goat is due as Zakat.
⟐ From 121 to 200 goats, two goats are due.
⟐ From 201 to 300 goats, three goats are due.
⟐ If there are more than 300 goats, one goat is due for every hundred (100) goats.
⟐ Even if a person has less than the Nisab, they can still give Zakat if they wish.

✔Essential Terms​

⟐ Bint Makhaad: A one-year-old female camel.
⟐ Ibn Laboon: A two-year-old male camel.
⟐ Bint Laboon: A two-year-old female camel.
⟐ Haqqah: A three-year-old female camel.
⟐ Jaz'ah: A four-year-old camel or female camel.

Zakat on Cows and Buffaloes​

The trustworthy Tabi'i Ikrimah bin Khalid, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates:
استعملت علىٰ صدقات عك فلقيت أشياخا ممن صدق علىٰ عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فى البقر وسألتهم واختلفوا على فمنهم من قال اجعلها مثل صدقة الإبل ومنهم من قال فى ثلاثين تبيع ومنهم من قال فى أربعين بقرة بقرة مسنة والجواميس تعد فى الصدقة كالا باقير.
I was appointed to collect the Zakat of the 'Akrama tribe. I met with such elders (Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them) who used to give Zakat on cows during the time of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. I asked them, and they gave different answers. Some of them said: Equal the Zakat of cows to that of camels, and some of them said: For thirty cows, one Tabi' (a one-year-old calf) is due as Zakat, and some of them said: For forty cows, one Musinnah cow is due as Zakat, and buffaloes are counted like cows for Zakat.

Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 10748, its chain is authentic)

Note:
● There is no Zakat on less than 30 cows and buffaloes.
● For 30 cows and buffaloes, one one-year-old calf is due as Zakat.
● For 40 cows and buffaloes, a two-year-old calf is due as Zakat.

Zakat on Agricultural Produce​

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Allah Almighty's command is:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنفِقُوا مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا كَسَبْتُمْ وَمِمَّا أَخْرَجْنَا لَكُم مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ ۖ وَلَا تَيَمَّمُوا الْخَبِيثَ مِنْهُ تُنفِقُونَ وَلَسْتُم بِآخِذِيهِ إِلَّا أَن تُغْمِضُوا فِيهِ﴾
"O believers! Spend from the good things you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth, and do not aim to spend from the bad things, which you would not take except with closed eyes."

Reference: (2-Al-Baqarah:267)

In another place, the Lord of the worlds has said:
﴿وَآتُوا حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ ۖ وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ﴾
"And pay the due (Zakat) on the day of its harvest (i.e., at the time of harvesting crops and picking fruits), and do not exceed the limits. Indeed, He does not like those who exceed the limits."

Reference: (6-Al-An'am:141)

◈ The rate of Zakat for land irrigated by natural sources is one-tenth, and for land irrigated by artificial sources (tube wells, canals, etc.) is one-twentieth.​

عن عبد الله بن عمر رضي الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: فيما سقت السماء والعيون أو كان عثريا العشر وما سقي بالنضح نصف العشر.
"Sayyidina Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said: The produce of land that is irrigated by rain or springs, or is naturally moist, is subject to one-tenth (zakat), and the produce of land that is irrigated by wells is subject to one-twentieth (zakat)."

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1483)

Sayyidina Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) states:
قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: فيما سقت الأنهار والغيم العشور وفيما سقي بالسانية نصف العشر.
"The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: The land that is watered by the sky or a spring, or is naturally moistened, has one-tenth (zakat) on its produce, and the land that is watered by drawing water from wells has one-twentieth (zakat) on its produce."

Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 981)

No Zakat on grains less than five wasqs​

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Sayyidina Abu Sa'id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ليس فيما دون خمسة أوسق صدقة.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: There is no Zakat on less than five wasq (twenty man).

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1447 - Sahih Muslim: 979)

In another hadith, the Prophet's statement is that Sayyidina Abu Sa'id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ليس فيما دون خمسة أوسق من تمر ولا حب صدقة.
"The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: There is no Zakat on less than five wasq of dates and grains."

Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 979 - Musnad Ahmad: 97/3)

Note: One wasq is equal to sixty (60) sa' (tupa), one sa' consists of four mud, and one mud is equal to one ratl and one-third of a ratl. According to modern measurements, one sa' is approximately two and a half kilograms, and one wasq is four (4) man, thus five wasq amounts to (20) man in weight.
Note: Zakat, which is one-tenth (ushr), is obligatory on every type of agricultural produce that comes from the earth. Allah Almighty's command is: "And give the due (Zakat) on the day of its harvest."

Reference: (Al-An'am: 141)

He also said: "And spend from that which We have provided you from the earth."

Reference: (Al-Baqarah: 267)

Furthermore, some hadiths also indicate this generality, thus it is established from the general evidence that Zakat is obligatory on every earthly produce when it reaches the nisab, and this includes vegetables as well. (والله اعلم بالصواب)

Zakat on Rikaz (Buried Treasure)​

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عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: فى الركاز الخمس.
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: The fifth part of Rikaz (buried treasure) is due as Zakat.

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1499 - Sahih Muslim: 1710)

Zakat on Honey​

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عن عمرو بن شعيب عن أبيه عن جده أن بني شبابة بطنا من فهم كانوا يؤدون إلىٰ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من نحل کان علیہم العشر من كل عشر قرب قربة وكان لهم واديان لهم ثم أدوا إلىٰ عمر بن الخطاب رضى الله عنه ما كانوا يؤدون إلىٰ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وحمىٰ لهم وادييهنم.
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As (may Allah be pleased with them) that he said: The tribe of Banu Shababah used to give one-tenth of their honey, that is, one jar out of ten jars, as Zakat to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and he (peace be upon him) had designated two valleys for them. Then, the amount that these people used to give to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was also given to Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), and he also kept those two valleys designated for them.

Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 1600 - Al-Muntakhab li Ibn Al-Jarud: 365, its chain is good)

No Zakat on Personal Use Items​

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Sayyidina Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ليس على المسلم فى فرسه وغلامه صدقة.
"The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: There is no Zakat on a Muslim's horse and slave."

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1463 - Sahih Muslim: 982)

Note: There is no Zakat on personal residence or the plot for building a house, car, motorcycle, furniture, refrigerator, etc.

Uses of Zakat​

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The Holy Quran mentions eight categories for the distribution of Zakat, and further details are provided in authentic Hadiths, which are presented here:
Allah the Exalted says:
﴿إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ۖ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ﴾
"Charity is only for the poor and the needy, and for those employed to collect (the funds), and for those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and for freeing captives, and for those in debt, and for Allah's cause, and for the wayfarer. This is an obligation from Allah, and Allah is All-Knowing and Wise."

Reference: (9-Al-Tawbah:60)

◈ Who are the Poor and the Needy?​

عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ليس المسكين الذى يطوف على الناس ترده اللقمة واللقمتان والتمرة والتمرتان ولٰكن المسكين الذى لا يجد غنى يغنيه ولا يفطن به فيتصدق عليه ولا يقوم فيسأل الناس.
Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "A poor person is not one who goes around asking people for one or two morsels or one or two dates, but a poor person is one who has nothing that would make him self-sufficient, and whose condition is not known to others so that they can give him charity, and he does not ask from people."

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1476, 1479 - Sahih Muslim: 1039)

◈Giving wealth for the sake of winning hearts​

Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports:
قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إني أعطي قريشا أتألفهم لأنهم حديثو عهد بجاهلية.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: I give (wealth) to the Quraysh to win their hearts because they have recently abandoned the time of ignorance.

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 3146, Sahih Muslim: 1059)

◈A wife can give Zakat to her husband and son​

عن أبى سعيد الخدري رضى الله عنه قال: جاءت زينب امرأة ابن مسعود يا رسول الله إنك أمرت اليوم بالصدقة وكان عندي حلي لي فأردت أن أتصدق به فزعم ابن مسعود أنه وولده أحق من تصدقت به عليهم فقال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم: صدق ابن مسعود زوجك وولدك أحق من تصدقت به عليهم.
It is narrated from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that the wife of Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him), Zainab (may Allah be pleased with her), came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allah! Today you commanded to give charity, and I have some jewelry that I want to give as charity. Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) thinks that he and his son are more deserving of my charity. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Ibn Mas'ud has spoken the truth. Your husband and your son are more deserving of your charity.

◈ Five types of individuals can receive Zakat​

عن أبى سعيد قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: لا تحل الصدقة لغني إلا لخمسة لغاز فى سبيل الله أو لعامل عليها أو لغارم أو لرجل اشتراها بماله أو لرجل كان له جار مسكين فتصدق على المسكين فأهداها المسكين للغني.
It is narrated from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "Charity is not permissible for the wealthy except in five cases: he who is a recipient of Zakat, or he who has purchased with his wealth, or he who is in debt, or he who is striving in the way of Allah, or if charity is given to a poor person and that poor person gives something from that charity to a wealthy person."

Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 1635, 1636, Musnad Ahmad: 56/3, its chain is good)

◈Charity can be accepted if given without asking​

عن سالم أن عبد الله بن عمر قال سمعت عمر يقول كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يعطيني العطاء فأقول أعطه من هو أفقر إليه مني فقال خذه إذا جاءك من هٰذا المال شيء وأنت غير مشرف ولا سائل فخذه وما لا فلا تتبعه نفسك
Salim bin Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates from his father that when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would give something to Sayyidina Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), he would say, "Please give this to someone more in need than me." The Prophet (peace be upon him) would say: "Take it and make it your property or give it as charity. Take what comes to you without any greed, desire, or asking, and do not exert yourself for what does not come to you in this way."

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1473 - Sahih Muslim: 1045)

Those for Whom Receiving Zakat is Not Permissible​

​

◈ It is not permissible for Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the family of Muhammad (peace be upon him)​

عن أنس رضي الله عنه قال مر النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم بتمرة مسقوطة فقال والله لولا أن تكون من صدقة لأكلتها
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw a date lying on the road and said: "If I did not fear that it might be a charity, I would have eaten it."

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 2055 - Sahih Muslim: 1071)

عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه قال أخذ الحسن بن على رضي الله عنهما تمرة من تمر الصدقة فجعلها فى فيه فقال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم: كخ كخ ليطرحها ثم قال أما شعرت أنا لا نأكل الصدقة
Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Hasan ibn Ali (may Allah be pleased with them) took a date from the charity dates and put it in his mouth, then the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Stop, stop." So that he could throw it away, then he said: "Do you not know that we do not eat charity?"

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1491 - Sahih Muslim: 1069)

عن عبد المطلب بن ربيعة رضی اللہ عنہ قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن هٰذه الصدقات إنما هي أوساخ الناس وإنها لا تحل لمحمد ولا لآل محمد
Abdul Muttalib ibn Rabi'ah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "These charities are the filth of people's wealth and they are not lawful for Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the family of Muhammad."

Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 167, 168, 1072)

◈It is not lawful for a wealthy person and one capable of earning to take Zakat​

عن عبيد الله بن عدي بن الخيار قال أخبرني رجلان أنهما أتيا النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو فى حجة الوداع وهو يقسم الصدقة فسألاه منها فرفع فينا البصر وخفضه فرآنا جلدين فقال إن شئتما أعطيتكما ولا حظ فيها لغني ولا لقوي مكتسب
Ubaidullah bin Adi bin Khiyar narrates that two men told me that they attended the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during the Farewell Pilgrimage when he was distributing charity. They requested charity from him, and when he looked up at us, he (peace be upon him) said, "If you wish, I can give you, but there is no share in it for a wealthy person or someone capable of earning."

Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 1633, its chain is authentic)

عن عبد الله بن عمرو عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: لا تحل الصدقة لغني ولا لذي مرة سوي
Sayyidina Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that he said, "Zakat is not lawful for a wealthy and healthy person."

Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 1634, its chain is good)

Various Issues of Zakat​

​

◈Praying for Blessings for the One Giving Zakat​

سمعت عبد الله بن أبى أوفى رضى الله عنه يقول: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا تصدق إليه أهل بيت بصدقة صلىٰ عليهم فتصدق أبى بصدقة إليه فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: اللهم صل علىٰ آل أبى أوفىٰ
"It is narrated from Sayyidina Abdullah bin Abu Aufa (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: When the people of a house would pay Zakat to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), he (peace be upon him) would pray for mercy for them. When my father paid Zakat to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), he (peace be upon him) said: O Allah! Send mercy upon the family of Abu Aufa."

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 4166 - Sahih Muslim: 1078)

◈What type of wealth should be taken in Zakat?​

عن أنس رضي الله عنه أن أبا بكر رضي الله عنه كتب له الصدقة التى أمر الله رسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم ولا يخرج فى الصدقة هرمة ولا ذات عوار ولا تيس إلا ما شاء المصدق.
Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote to him the command that Allah Almighty had given to His Messenger (peace be upon him) that in Zakat, old, defective, and male animals should not be taken, unless the Zakat receiver himself wishes to do so.

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1455)

عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لما بعث معاذا رضى الله عنه إلى اليمن قال فى آخر الحديث واجتنبوا كرائم أموال الناس
Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates that when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sent Sayyiduna Muadh (may Allah be pleased with him) as a governor to Yemen, he said: "Avoid taking the best of people's wealth in Zakat."

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1458)

◈ What should be done if the government takes Zakat?​

عن أنس بن مالك رضى الله عنه أنه قال أتى رجل من بني تميم إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال إذا أديت الزكاة إلىٰ رسولك فقد برئت منها إلى الله ورسوله؟ فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: نعم إذا أديتها إلىٰ رسولي فقد برئت منها فلك أجرها وإثمها علىٰ من بدلها
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that a man said to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), "When I give Zakat to your envoy, will I be absolved before Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him)?" The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, "Yes, when you have given it to me, you are absolved before Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him). You will receive its reward, and whoever misappropriates it, the sin will be upon him."

Reference: (Musnad Ahmad: 136/3, its chain is authentic)

◈The one who receives Zakat should not accept gifts​

عن أبى حميد الساعدي قال استعمل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم رجلا من الأسد يقال له ابن اللتبية قال عمرو وابن أبى عمر على الصدقة فلما قدم قال هٰذا لكم وهٰذا لي أهدي لي قال فقام رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على المنبر فحمد الله وأثنىٰ عليه وقال: ما بال عامل أبعثه فيقول هٰذا لكم وهٰذا أهدي لي أفلا قعد فى بيت أبيه أو فى بيت أمه حتىٰ ينظر أيهدىٰ إليه أم لا والذي نفس محمد بيده لا ينال أحد منكم منها شيئا إلا جاء به يوم القيامة يحمله علىٰ عنقه بعير له رغاء أو بقرة لها خوار أو شاة تيعر ثم رفع يديه حتىٰ رأينا عفرتي إبطيه ثم قال اللهم هل بلغت مرتين
Sayyidina Abu Hamid Sa'idi (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) appointed a man from the Banu Asad tribe named Ibn Lutbiyah as a tax collector. Sayyidina Amr and Sayyidina Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) say that the Prophet (peace be upon him) had appointed him to collect Zakat. When that man returned, he said, "This is your (i.e., the treasury's) share, and this is my share which was given to me as a gift." Upon hearing this, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came to the pulpit, praised and glorified Allah, and then said: "What is the matter with this tax collector whom I sent (to collect Zakat) and who returns saying, 'This is your wealth and this was given to me as a gift'? Why did he not stay in his father's or mother's house and see if he would receive a gift or not? I swear by the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad (peace be upon him) that whoever among you takes any wealth in this manner (i.e., in the name of a gift) will bring it on the Day of Resurrection, and if it is a camel, it will be bleating; if it is a cow, it will be mooing; if it is a goat, it will be bleating." Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) raised both his hands until we could see the whiteness of his armpits. He (peace be upon him) repeated twice: "O Allah! I have conveyed (Your command)."

◈Partners will share equally in Zakat​

Sayyidina Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Sayyidina Abu Bakr Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) had him write a letter regarding the obligatory Zakat which was prescribed by the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that:
وما كان من خليطين فإنهما يتراجعان بينهما بالسوية.
Animals that are shared between two people should equally contribute to the Zakat portion.

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1451)

Sadaqat al-Fitr (Fitrana) is obligatory upon every Muslim​

​

عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما قال فرض رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم زكاة الفطر صاعا من تمر أو صاعا من شعير على العبد والحر والذكر والأنثىٰ والصغير والكبير من المسلمين وأمر بها أن تؤدىٰ قبل خروج الناس إلى الصلاة.
It is narrated from Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory on all Muslims, whether they are slaves, free, men, women, children, or the elderly. One Sa' (which is approximately two and a half kilograms) of dates or one Sa' of barley is required, and it has been commanded that this Zakat should be paid before going out for the prayer (Eid).

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1503 - Sahih Muslim: 984)

عن أبى سعيد الخدري رضى الله عنه قال: كنا نعطيها فى زمان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم صاعا من طعام أو صاعا من تمر أو صاعا من شعير أو صاعا من زبيب وفي رواية أو صاعا من أقط.
It is narrated from Sayyidina Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that during the time of the Prophet, we used to give one Sa' of food (wheat, etc.), one Sa' of dates, one Sa' of barley, or one Sa' of raisins (dried grapes) as Zakat al-Fitr, or one Sa' of cheese.

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1508 - Sahih Muslim: 985)

The Virtue of Charity​

​

عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: سبعة يظلهم الله فى ظله يوم لا ظل إلا ظله فذكر الحديث وفيه: ورجل تصدق بصدقة فأخفاها حتىٰ لا تعلم شماله ما تنفق يمينه.
Narrated by Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "There are seven people whom Allah will shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His shade." Then he mentioned the rest of the hadith, which also includes that "one of those seven people is the one who gives charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has spent."

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 660 - Sahih Muslim: 1031)

◈Warning against asking for the purpose of increasing wealth​

عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: من سأل الناس أموالهم تكثرا فإنما سأل جمرا فليستقل أو ليستكثر.
"Sayyidina Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Whoever asks people for money with the intention of increasing it is only asking for embers; he may reduce them or increase them as he wishes."

Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 1041)

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: لَا يَزَالُ الرَّجُلُ يَسْأَلُ النَّاسَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ لَيْسَ فِي وَجْهِهِ مُزْعَةُ لَحْمٍ.
Sayyidina Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "A man continues to extend his hand in asking from people until he comes on the Day of Resurrection with no piece of flesh on his face."

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1474 - Sahih Muslim: 1040)

Weak Rulings and Issues of Zakat​

​

Hadith Number ①​

Sayyidina Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Sayyidina Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about paying Zakat before its time, and he (peace be upon him) granted him permission for it.

Hadith Number ①​

This narration is weak. This hadith has been reported in

Reference: Musnad Ahmad: 104/1, and Sunan Abu Dawood: 1624, and Sunan Tirmidhi: 678, and Sunan Ibn Majah: 1795, and Sunan Al-Darimi: 1689, and Al-Muntaka by Ibn Al-Jarud: 360, and Sunan Al-Daraqutni: 2031, 2032, and Tabaqat Ibn Sa'd: 26/4, and Al-Mustadrak by Al-Hakim: 5431, and Al-Sunan Al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 111/4, 54/10, and Al-Sunan Al-Sughra by Al-Bayhaqi: 1275, and Ma'rifat Al-Sunan wal-Athar by Al-Bayhaqi: 2437, and Amali Al-Muhamili: 187, and Al-Fawaid known as Al-Ghaylanayat by Abu Bakr Al-Shafi'i: 250, and Sharh Al-Sunnah by Al-Baghawi: 1577, and Tarikh Damascus by Ibn Asakir: 21/304, and Al-Ahadith Al-Mukhtara by Al-Diya Al-Maqdisi: 411, and Tahdhib Al-Kamal by Al-Mizzi: 5/486

.
First: In the chain of this hadith, the narrator Hukm bin Utaybah is narrating from "an" and he is a mudallis.

Reference: (Al-Fath Al-Mubin fi Tahqiq Tabaqat Al-Mudallisin, p: 59)

There is no explicit mention of hearing in any book.
Second: Regarding the second narrator Hujayjah bin Adi Al-Kindi, Imam Abu Hatim Al-Razi, may Allah have mercy on him, says: لا يحتج بحديثه شبيه بالمجهول

Reference: (Al-Jarh wa Al-Ta'dil: Volume 3, p 311)

(All the evidences for this hadith are weak).
Note: The authentication of this narrator by the lenient and later scholars is false and rejected. For details, please refer to the author's book

Reference: Kitab Al-Du'afa wal-Matrukin Volume 1: 63 to 91

.

◈Paying Zakat on Seven and a Half Tolas of Gold​

Hadith Number ②​

Sayyidina Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: When you have two hundred (200) dirhams and a year passes over them, then five (5) dirhams will be due as Zakat. And gold is not subject to Zakat until it reaches twenty (20) dinars. When it reaches twenty (20) dinars and a year passes over it, then half a dinar will be due as Zakat. Then, whatever exceeds that will be calculated for Zakat accordingly.

Hadith Number ②​

This narration is weak. This hadith has been narrated in

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood: 1573, and Muwatta Abdullah ibn Wahb: 186, and Al-Sunan Al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 4/137, and Al-Sunan Al-Sughra by Al-Bayhaqi: 1227, and Ma'rifat Al-Sunan wal-Athar by Al-Bayhaqi: 2493, and Seven Majalis from the Amali of Abu Tahir: 86, and Sharh Al-Sunnah by Al-Baghawi: 1582, and Al-Ahadith Al-Mukhtarah by Al-Diya Al-Maqdisi: 528

.
In the chain of this hadith, Abu Ishaq is a mudallis narrator, and the narration is from "عن" with no explicit mention of hearing in any book. Read the evidence of his mudallis status:

Reference: (Al-Ma'rifah wal-Tarikh by Al-Fasawi: 12/3, 14, and Kitab Al-Majruhīn by Ibn Hibban: 1/92, and Al-Izalaat wal-Tatabu' by Al-Daraqutni, p: 362, and Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 1096, and Al-Sunan Al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 6/137)

. All the chains of this hadith are weak.
Note: The author has clarified the amount of zakat on gold in the correct section.

◈Statement on Zakat of Cattle​

Hadith Number ③​

Sayyidina Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: For every thirty (30) cows, there is one calf or heifer that is one year old, and for every forty cows, there is one cow that has two teeth (is two years old).

Hadith Number ③​

This narration is weak. This hadith has been reported in

Reference: Musnad Ahmad: 230/5, Sunan Abu Dawood: 1577, Sunan Nasai: 2450, 2451, 2452, 2453, Al-Sunan Al-Kubra by Nasai: 2230, 2231, 2232, Sunan Al-Darimi: 1676, Musannaf Abdul Razzaq: 6841, Musnad Al-Bazzar: 2654, Al-Muntaka by Ibn Al-Jarud: 343, Sunan Al-Daraqutni: 1958, 1959, 1960, Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabir by Al-Tabarani: 16682, 16683, 16685, Kitab Al-Amwal by Ibn Zanjawiya: 1141, Al-Mustadrak by Al-Hakim: 1449, Al-Sunan Al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 9/193, Al-Sunan Al-Sughra by Al-Bayhaqi: 1200, 4058, Ma'rifat Al-Sunan Wal-Athar by Al-Bayhaqi: 2398, Benefits of Abu Bakr Al-Qasim: 26, 27, 28, 29, Al-Kamil Fi Du'afa Al-Rijal by Ibn Adi: 4/195, Sahih Ibn Hibban: 4886, Al-Fawaid famously known as Al-Ghaylanayat by Abu Bakr Al-Shafi'i: 846, Al-Ziyadat on Kitab Al-Muzani: 170, 171, Sharh Al-Sunnah by Al-Baghawi: 1571

.
First: In the chain of this hadith, the narrator Al-A'mash is a mudallis and is narrating with "an" without any explicit mention of hearing in any book. Read the evidence of his being a mudallis:

Reference: (Ilal Al-Hadith by Ibn Abi Hatim: 524/2, Hadith 2119, Musnad Ibn Al-Ja'd, p: 129, its chain is authentic, Al-Ma'rifah Wal-Tarikh by Al-Fasawi: 12/3, Al-Kamil Fi Du'afa Al-Rijal by Ibn Adi: 452/8, its chain is authentic, Kitab Al-Majruhīn by Ibn Hibban: 1/91, Kitab Al-‘Ilal by Al-Daraqutni: 95/10, Kitab Al-Tawhid by Ibn Khuzaymah, p: 38, History of Uthman Ibn Said Al-Darimi: 952, Al-Kifayah Fi Ilm Al-Riwayah by Al-Khatib Al-Baghdadi, p: 312, its chain is authentic)

.
Second: The hearing of the second narrator Masruq from our master Mu'adh Ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) is not established. All the evidences for this hadith are weak.
Note: The mentioned threshold for the zakat of cows is established from an authentic narration. And all praise is due to Allah

Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 10748, its chain is authentic)

.

◈Statement on Zakat of Trade Goods​

Hadith Number ④​

Sayyidina Samurah bin Jundab (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to command us to give Zakat from the wealth that we prepare for trade.

Hadith Number ④​

This narration is weak. This hadith has been narrated by

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood: 1562, Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabir by Al-Tabarani: 6903, 7029, Sunan Al-Daraqutni: 2051, Al-Sunan Al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 4/146, 147, Al-Sunan Al-Sughra by Al-Bayhaqi: 1237, Al-Tamhid by Ibn Abdul Barr: 17/131

.
First: The chain of this hadith includes Ja'far bin Sa'd bin Samurah bin Jundab, whose narration is unknown.

Reference: (Tuhfat Al-Tahdhib by Ibn Hajar: 566/1)

Second: The second narrator, Khubaib bin Sulayman bin Samurah bin Jundab, is also unknown.

Reference: (Tahrir Taqreeb Al-Tahdhib: 357/1)

Third: The third narrator, Sulayman bin Samurah bin Jundab, is also unknown.

Reference: (Tahrir Taqreeb Al-Tahdhib: 2/69)

Note: Zakat on trade goods is established through a sound narration. And all praise is due to Allah.

Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 10560, its chain is authentic)

◈Zakat is obligatory after a year passes on the wealth acquired​

Hadith Number ⑤​

Sayyidina Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Zakat on wealth that is acquired is not obligatory until a year has passed over it.

Reference: (Sunan Tirmidhi: 631, and Sunan al-Daraqutni: 1865, and Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi: 104/4)

Hadith Number ⑤​

The chain of this narration is very weak due to the severe weakness of the narrator Abdul Rahman bin Zaid bin Aslam.
Abdul Rahman bin Zaid bin Aslam is a rejected and denied narrator.

Reference: (Al-Tarikh Al-Saghir by Bukhari: 109/2, Al-Jarh wa Al-Ta'dil by Ibn Abi Hatim: 5/364, and the Book of Weak Narrators by Abu Zur'ah: 464/2, and Al-Du'afa wa Al-Matrukin by Al-Nasa'i, p: 296, and Al-Du'afa Al-Kabir by Al-Aqili: 2/350, and the Book of Al-Majruhine by Ibn Hibban: 55/2, and Tahdhib Al-Tahdhib by Ibn Hajar: 3/435)

The narrations of Abdul Rahman bin Zaid bin Aslam reported from his father are fabricated (false).

Reference: (Al-Madkhal ila Al-Sahih: 97)

This narration has been reported by him from his father. All the evidences for this hadith are weak.
Note: Although the above hadith is weak, the mentioned issue is established from Sayyidina Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them), and all praise is due to Allah.
Sayyidina Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) states that whoever receives beneficial wealth, there is no zakat on it until a year passes over it in the possession of the owner. (Meaning zakat becomes obligatory after a year passes) (

Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi: 632, its chain is authentic

, this narration is suspended but has the ruling of being raised).

◈Statement on the Zakat of Vegetables​

Hadith Number ⑥​

Sayyidina Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that he wrote a letter to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) regarding vegetables, and he (peace be upon him) said: There is no Zakat on them.

Hadith Number ⑥​

This narration is weak. This hadith has been reported by

Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi: 638, and Sunan al-Sughra by Al-Bayhaqi: 960, 962

. In the chain of this hadith, Hasan bin Amarah is a narrator whose hadith is abandoned and he is a liar.

Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 48/1, 49, and Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil by Ibn Abi Hatim: 32/3, and the Book of Weak Narrators by Al-Bukhari: 66, and the Weak and Abandoned by Al-Nasa'i, p: 288, and Tabaqat Ibn Sa'd: 389/6, and Ahwal al-Rijal by Al-Jawzajani: 35, and Sunan al-Daraqutni: 258/2, and the Book of Minor Weaknesses by Tirmidhi, p: 280, the Great Weaknesses by Al-Aqili: 1/237, and Al-Kamil in the Weakness of Men by Ibn Adi: 3/97, and the Book of the Injured by Ibn Hibban: 229/12, and the Weak and Abandoned by Al-Jawzi: 207/1, and Tahdhib al-Tahdhib by Ibn Hajar: 505/1, 506)

All the evidence for this hadith is weak.
Note: Giving Zakat on vegetables is established, as I have clarified in "The Correct Rulings and Issues of Zakat."

◈The Statement of Distributing Zakat in the Area from Where It Is Collected​

Hadith Number ⑦​

Ziyad or another Amir appointed Sayyidina Imran bin Husain (may Allah be pleased with him) as an agent to collect Zakat. When he returned, he was asked, "Where is the wealth?" He replied, "Did you send me for the wealth? We took the wealth from where it was taken during the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and distributed it where it was distributed."

Hadith Number ⑦​

This narration is weak. This hadith has been narrated by

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood: 1625, and Sunan Ibn Majah: 1811, and Musnad Al-Bazzar: 3595, and Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabir by Al-Tabarani: 14963, and Al-Mustadrak by Al-Hakim: 5989, and Al-Sunan Al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 9/7

.
First: The narrator Ibrahim bin Ata bin Abi Maimunah Al-Basri is unknown.
Second: There is also a suspicion of interruption in it.
Note: Imam Yahya bin Ma'in (may Allah have mercy on him) calling this narrator "good" is not a validation. Moreover, this hadith contradicts the hadith of Sahih Bukhari.

Reference: (Sahih Bukhari: 1458)

◈ Whoever possesses 50 dirhams or its equivalent in gold is wealthy​

Hadith Number ⑧​

Sayyidina Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Whoever possesses such wealth yet still asks people for help, which could make him independent of asking, will come on the Day of Resurrection with a mark of shame on his face. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked, O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)! What is the amount that can make him independent of asking? He (peace be upon him) replied: Fifty (50) dirhams or its equivalent in gold.

Hadith Number ⑧​

This narration is weak. This hadith has been reported in

Reference: Musnad Ahmad: 441/1, Sunan Abu Dawood: 1626, Sunan Tirmidhi: 650, 651, Sunan Nasai: 2593, and Sunan al-Kubra by Nasai: 2373, Sunan Ibn Majah: 1840, Sunan Darimi: 1693, 1694, Musnad Abu Dawood al-Tayalisi: 322, Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 10533, Musnad Ibn Abi Shaybah: 391, Musnad al-Bazzar: 1690, Musnad Abu Ya'la: 5217, and Mushkil al-Athar by al-Tahawi: 417, Sharh Ma'ani wa al-Athar by al-Tahawi: 2785, Sunan al-Daraqutni: 2026, 2027, Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by al-Tabarani: 1707, Al-Mu'jam al-Awsat by al-Tabarani: 1686, Kitab al-Amwal by Qasim ibn Salam: 1164, Kitab al-Amwal by Ibn Zanjuyah: 1662, Al-Nasikh wa al-Mansukh by al-Nahhas: 348, Al-Kamil fi Du'afa al-Rijal by Ibn Adi: 214/3, Tahdhib al-Athar by al-Tabari: 31-32, Al-Kuna wa al-Asma by al-Dulabi: 555, Al-Mustadrak by al-Hakim: 1479, Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi: 24/7, and Ma'rifah al-Sunan wa al-Athar by al-Bayhaqi: 4238, 4239, and Juz' al-Baghawi: 18, Sharh al-Sunnah by al-Baghawi: 1600

. In the chain of this hadith, the narrator Hakim ibn Jubair is weak and abandoned.
Note: The following authentic hadith makes us independent of the above weak hadith. Sayyidina Sahl ibn Hanzhaliah (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Whoever possesses enough wealth that makes him self-sufficient from asking, yet he still asks, he is adding to the fire.

Reference: (Sunan Abu Dawood: 1629, its chain is authentic and Sunan Abu Dawood: 1627, its chain is authentic)