Mishkat al-Masabih

Ibn 'Abbas reported God's messenger as saying when he sent Mu'adh to the Yemen, “You will come to folk who are people of a book, so invite them to testify that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is God's messenger. If they obey that, tell them God has made obligatory for them five times of prayer every twenty-four hours. If they obey that, tell them God has made obligatory for them sadaqa to be taken from their rich and handed over to their poor. If they obey that, avoid taking the best parts of their property; and regard the claim of him who is wronged, for there is no veil between it and God." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “If any owner of gold or silver does not pay what is due on it, when the day of resurrection comes plates of fire will be beaten out for him, they will be heated in the fire of jahannam, and his side, forehead and back will be cauterised with them. Every time they are put back in the fire they will be returned to him during a day whose extent will be fifty thousand years, until judgment is pronounced among mankind and he sees whether his path is to take him to paradise or to hell." He was asked about camels and replied, “If any owner of camels does not pay what is due on them, one thing which is due being to milk them on the day they come down to water,* when the day of resurrection comes a soft sandy plain will be spread out for them, as extensive as possible, he will find that not a single young one is missing, and they will trample him with their hoofs and bite him with their mouths. As often as the first of them pass him the last of them will be brought back to him during a day whose extent will be fifty thousand years, until judgment is pronounced among mankind and he sees whether his path is to take him to paradise or to hell." He was asked about cattle and sheep and said, “If any owner of cattle or sheep does not pay what is due on them, when the day of resurrection comes a soft sandy plain will be spread out for them, he will find none of them missing, with twisted horns, without horns, or with a broken horn, and they will gore him with their horns and trample him with their hoofs. As often as the first of them pass him the last of them will be brought back to him during a day whose extent will be fifty thousand years, until judgment is pronounced among mankind and he sees whether his path is to take him to paradise or to hell”. He was asked about horses and said, “Horses are of three types; to one man they are a load, to another a covering, and to another a reward. The first class is exemplified when a man keeps them in hypocrisy, vainglory and opposition to the people of Islam, so they are a load to him. The second class is exemplified when a man keeps them to be used in God's path and is not forgetful of God’s right concerning their backs and necks, so they are a covering to him. The third class is exemplified when a man keeps them to be used in God's path by the people of Islam and puts them in a meadow and field. The amount of what they eat in that meadow or field will be recorded on his behalf as good deeds, as will also the amount of their dung and urine. If they break their halter and prance a course or two God will record the amount of their hoofmarks and their dung on his behalf as good deeds. If their master brings them past a river from which they drink, although he did not intend to water them, God will record the amount of what they drink on his behalf as good deeds.” He was asked about asses and said, "I have had no revelation about asses except this solitary verse of a composite nature, ‘He who does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and he who does an atom’s weight of evil will see it'.”** Muslim transmitted it. * This is said to be in order that he may be able to give a drink to passers-by and the poor. ** Qur’an 99: 7.

He reported God s messenger as saying, “If God gives anyone property and he does not pay the zakat on it, his property will be made to appear to him on the day of resurrection as a large bald snake with black spots over its eyes. It will be put round his neck on the day of resurrection, then seize his lihzamatani, i.e. his jaws, then say, ‘I am your property; I am your treasure’.” He then recited, “Let not those who are niggardly think…”* Bukhari transmitted it. * Quran 3:180

Abu Dharr reported the Prophet as saying, “If any man has camels, cattle, or sheep on which he does not pay what is due, they will be produced as large and fat as can be on the day of resurrection and will trample him with their hoofs and gore him with their horns. As often as the last of them pass him the first of them will be brought back to him until judgment is pronounced among mankind.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Jarir b. ‘Abdallah reported God’s messenger as saying, “When the collector of sadaqa comes to you see that he is pleased with you when he leaves you.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. Abu Aufa told that the Prophet said when people brought him their sadaqa, “O God, bless the family of so and so.” He told how, when his father brought him his sadaqa, he said, “O God, bless the family of Abu Aufa.” (Bukhari and Muslim.) A version says that when a man brought the Prophet his sadaqa he said, “O God, bless him.”

Abu Huraira told how when God’s messenger sent ‘Umar to collect sadaqa people said that Ibn Jamil, Khalid b. al-Walid and al-‘Abbas refused. So God’s messenger said, “Ibn Jamil is not objecting, but he was poor and God and His messenger enriched him. * As for Khalid, you are wronging him, for he has kept back his coats of mail and weapons to use them in God’s path. As for al-‘Abbas, I shall be responsible for it and an equal amount along with it.” Then he said, “Did you not know, ‘Umar, that a man’s paternal uncle is of the same stock as his father?” (Bukhari and Muslim.) * This sentence has given commentators trouble, and several explanations of the meaning are given. It appears best to understand it as a seeming defence of Ibn Jamil which is really a rebuke. The idea is therefore that the seriousness of his action is not so much in his actual objection to paying zakat as in his being induced to do this by ingratitude to God who has enriched him.

I employ men of your number to deal with certain matters which God has entrusted to me, yet one of them comes and says, 'This is for you and this is a present which was given to me.’ Why did he not sit in his father’s or his mother’s house and see whether it would be given to him or not? By Him in whose hand my soul is, whoever takes any of it will inevitably bring it on the day of resurrection carrying it on his neck, be it a camel which rumbles, an ox which bellows, or a sheep which bleats.” Then raising his arms so that we could see the place where the hair grew under his armpits he said, "O God, have I given full information? O God, have I given full information?” (Bukhari and Muslim.) Khattabi said: The words "Why did he not sit in his father’s or his mother's house and see whether it would be given to him or not?” are a proof that every matter which, when it is adopted, leads to something forbidden is itself forbidden, and that note is taken of everyone who enters into covenants as to whether or not his decision made by himself is like his decision when he is associated with others. Thus it is quoted in Sharh as-sunna.

‘Adi b. ‘Amira reported God’s messenger as saying, "If I appoint any of you to deal with a matter and he conceals from me a needle and what is above that, it is dishonesty, and he will bring it on the day of resurrection.” * Muslim transmitted it. * Quran 3:161.

Ibn ‘Abbas told how, when this verse was revealed, "And those who hoard gold and silver…”* the Muslims were grieved about it and ‘Umar told them he would dispel their care. He therefore went and told God’s Prophet that his companions were grieved by this verse, and received the reply, "God has made the zakat obligatory simply to purify your remaining property, and He made inheritances obligatory (mentioning a word)** that they might come to those who survive you.” 'Umar then said, "God is most great,” after which he said to him, "Let me inform you about the best a man hoards; it is a virtuous woman who pleases him when he looks at her, obeys him when he gives her a command, and guards his interests when he is away from her." Abu Dawud transmitted it. * Qur'an 9: 34. ** i.e. a word about which Ibn ‘Abbas was uncertain.

Jabir b. ‘Atik reported God’s messenger as saying, “Riders who are rendered objects of dislike to you* will come to you, but you must welcome them when they come to you and give them a free hand regarding what they desire. If they are just they will receive credit for it, but if they are unjust they will be held responsible. Please them, for the perfection of your zakat consists in their good pleasure, and let them ask a blessing for you." Abu Dawud transmitted it. * These are collectors of zakat.

Jarir b. ‘Abdallah told of some people, meaning nomadic Arabs, who came to God’s messenger and said, “Collectors of sadaqa come to us and act unjustly.” He told them to please the collectors who came to them, and when they asked if they must do so even if they wronged them, he replied, “Please those who collect sadaqa from you, even if you are wronged.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Bashir b. al-Khasasiya said they told how the collectors of sadaqa went over the score and asked whether they might conceal their property to the extent to which they went over the score, but told them that they must not. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Rafi‘ b. Khadij reported God’s messenger as saying, “The official who collects sadaqa in a just manner is like him who fights in God’s path till he returns home." Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

‘Amr b. Shu'aib on his father’s authority said his grandfather reported the Prophet as saying, “There is to be no collecting of sadaqa from a distance, nor must people who own property remove it far away,* for their sadaqat are to be received only in their dwellings.” Abu Dawud transmitted it. * The point is that the collector of zakat must not make people bring their animals a long distance to him, and they must not remove their animals to a distance when he is coming to collect zakat.

Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who acquires property is not liable for zakat on it till a year passes.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, mentioning that a number traced the tradition no farther back than Ibn ‘Umar.

Ali said that al-'Abbas asked God’s messenger about paying his sadaqa in advance before it became due, and he gave him permission to do that. Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

‘Amr b. Shu'aib on his father’s authority said that his grandfather told of the Prophet addressing the people and saying, “If anyone is guardian of an orphan who owns property, he must trade with it and not leave it till the sadaqa consumes it." Tirmidhi transmitted it, adding that its isnad has been criticised because al-Muthanna b. as- Sabbah was weak.

Abu Huraira said that when Abu Bakr was made the Prophet's successor after his death and infidelity arose among certain Arabs, ‘Umar b. al-Khattab asked Abu Bakr how he could fight with the people when God’s messenger had said, “I have been commanded to fight with the people till they say there is no god but God, so whoever says so has protected his property and his person from me except for what is due from him, and his reckoning is left to God.” Abu Bakr replied, “I swear by God that I will certainly fight with those who make a distinction between prayer and zakat, for the zakat is what is due from property. I swear by God that if they were to refuse me a female kid which they used to pay to God’s messenger I would fight with them over the refusal of it." ‘Umar then said, “I swear by God that I clearly saw God had made Abu Bakr feel justified in fighting, and I recognised that it was right." (Bukhari and Muslim).

He reported God’s messenger as saying, “The treasure of one of you on the day of resurrection will be a large bald snake from which he will flee, but it will keep following after him till he gives it his fingers to eat." Ahmad transmitted it.

Ibn Mas'ud reported the Prophet as saying, “No man will fail to pay the zakat on his property without God putting a large snake on his neck on the day of resurrection." He then recited to them the justification of it from God s Book, “Let not those who are niggardly with what God has given them from His bounty suppose…”* Tirmidhi, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it. * Quran 3:180.

‘A’isha said she heard God’s messenger say, “zakat is never mingled with any property without destroying it.” Shafi'i, Bukhari in his Ta’rikh, and al-Humaidi transmitted it, al-Humaidl adding He said, “Sadaqa will have been incumbent on you and you will not pay it, so what is forbidden will destroy what is lawful.” Those who hold that the zakat is connected with the property itself have used this as an argument. It is given thus in al-Muntaqa. Baihaqi transmitted in Shu’ab al-iman from Ahmad b. Hanbal with, his isnad to ‘A’isha, and Ahmad said “mingled” means that a man accepts zakat when he is opulent or rich, whereas it is only for the poor.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported God’s messenger as saying, “No sadaqa is payable on less than five camel-loads (wasq) of dates, on less than five ounces of silver, and on less than five camels.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “No sadaqa is due from a Muslim on his slave or his horse.” In a version he said, “There is no sadaqa on his slave except that given at the breaking of the fast.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. This is the obligatory sadaqa which God’s messenger imposed on the Muslims which God commanded him to impose. Those Muslims who are asked for the proper amount must give it, but those who are asked for more than that must not give it. For twenty-four camels or less, a sheep is to be given for every five. When they reach twenty-five to thirty-five, a she-camel in her second year is to be given. When they reach thirty-six to forty-five, a she-camel in her third year is to be given. When they reach forty-six to sixty, a she-camel in her fourth year which is ready to be covered by a stallion is to be given. When they reach sixty-one to seventy-five, a she-camel in her fifth year is to be given. When they reach seventy-six to ninety, two she-camels in their third year are to be given. When they reach ninety-one to a hundred and twenty, two she-camels in their fourth year which are ready to be covered by a stallion are to be given. When they exceed a hundred and twenty, a she-camel in her third year is to be given for every forty and a she-camel in her fourth year for every fifty. If anyone has only four camels, no sadaqa is payable on them unless their owner wishes, but when they reach five a sheep is payable on them. If anyone whose camels reach the number on which a she-camel in her fifth year is payable does not possess one but possesses one in her fourth year, that will be accepted from him along with two sheep if he can conveniently give them, or else twenty dirhams. If anyone whose camels reach the number on which a she-camel in her fourth year is payable does not possess one but possesses one in her fifth year, that will be accepted from him, and the collector must give him twenty dirhams or two sheep. If anyone whose camels reach the number on which a she-camel in her fourth year is payable possesses only one in her third year, that will be accepted from him along with two sheep or twenty dirhams. If any one whose camels reach the number on which a she-camel in her third year is payable possesses one in her fourth year, that will be accepted from him, and the collector must give him twenty dirhams or two sheep. If anyone whose camels reach the number on which a she-camel in her third year is payable does not possess one but possesses one in her second year, that will be accepted from him, and he must give along with it twenty dirhams or two sheep. If anyone whose camels reach the number on which a she-camel in her second year is payable does not possess one but possesses one in her third year, that will be accepted from him, and the collector must give him twenty dirhams or two sheep; but if he does not possess a she-camel in her second year as is required and possesses a male camel in its third year, that will be accepted from him and nothing extra is to be demanded along with it. Concerning the sadaqa on sheep which are pasturing, when they number from forty to a hundred and twenty, a sheep is to be given. On over a hundred and twenty up to two hundred two sheep are to be given. On over two hundred up to three hundred three sheep are to be given. If they exceed three hundred, a sheep is to be given for every hundred. If a man’s pasturing animals are one less than forty no sadaqa is due on them unless their owner wishes. An old sheep, one with a defect in the eye, or a male goat is not to be brought forth as sadaqa unless the collector is willing. Those which are in separate flocks are not to be brought together and those which are in one flock are not to be separated from fear of sadaqa. * Regarding what belongs to two partners, they can make claims for restitution from one another with equity. On dirhams a fortieth is payable, but if there are only a hundred and ninety nothing is payable unless their owner wishes. Bukhari transmitted it. * The principle is that there is to be no rearrangement either so that the collector may get more than he might, or the owner may give less than he might.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar reported the Prophet as saying, “A tenth is payable on what is watered by rain or wells, or from underground moisture, and a twentieth on what is watered by draught camels.” Bukhari transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “No retaliation is payable for a wound caused by a dumb animal, or for an accident in a well or a mine, but a fifth is payable on buried treasure.” * (Bukhari and Muslim.) * The word used (rikaz) is applied to treasure buried by people in pre-Islamic times; but the word may also mean metal in mines.

‘Ali reported God’s messenger as saying, “I have given exemption regarding horses and slaves; with regard to coins, however, you must pay a dirham for every forty, but nothing is payable on a hundred and ninety. When the total reaches two hundred, five dirhams are payable.” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it. In a version by Abu Dawud from al-Harith al-A'war from ‘Ali, from the Prophet, as Zuhair thought,* he said, “Pay a fortieth.” A dirham is payable on every forty, but you are not liable for payment till you have a complete two hundred dirhams. When they reach two hundred five dirhams are payable, and that proportion is applicable to larger amounts. Regarding sheep, for every forty sheep up to a hundred and twenty, one sheep is payable. If there is one more, then up to two hundred two sheep are payable. If there are more, then up to three hundred three sheep are payable, and if there are more than three hundred a sheep is payable for every hundred. But if you possess only thirty-nine, nothing is payable on them. Regarding cattle, a male calf of a year old is payable for every thirty and a cow in its third year for forty, but nothing is payable on working animals. * Zuhair, from whom Abu Dawud’s immediate informant got the tradition, is here quoted as saying he thought 'Ali got the tradition from the Prophet directly. See Abu Dawud, zakat, 5. There are three stages in the isnad between Zuhair and Ali.

Mu'adh said that when the Prophet sent him to the Yemen he ordered him to take a male or female calf of a year old for every thirty cattle and a cow in its third year for every forty. Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i and Darimi transmitted it.

Anas reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who collects more sadaqa than is due is like him who refuses to pay it.” * Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it. * Meaning that the sin committed by both is similar in its seriousness.

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported the Prophet as saying, “There is no sadaqa payable on grain or dates till they reach five camel-loads.” Nasa’i transmitted it.

Musa b. Talha said he had the letter of Mu'adh b. Jabal from the Prophet to the effect that he ordered him to collect sadaqa only on wheat, barley, raisins and dates. It is in mursal form and is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.

‘Attab b. Usaid reported the Prophet as saying regarding the zakat on vines, “They are to be estimated as palm-trees are, then the zakat is to be paid in raisins as the zakat on palm-trees is paid in dried dates.” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Sahl b. Abu Hathma related that God’s messenger used to say, “When you estimate take them leaving a third, and if you do not leave a third leave a quarter.” * Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Nasa'i transmitted it. * This is interpreted by some as meaning that a third or a quarter was not to be reckoned when assessing the tax.

'A’isha said the Prophet used to send 'Abdallah b. Rawaha to Jews, and he would make an estimate of the palm trees when the fruit was in good condition before any of it was eaten. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s messenger as saying regarding honey, “A skin is payable on every ten.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying its isnad is criticised and that little on this subject is soundly reported from the Prophet.

Zainab the wife of ‘Abdallah said God’s messenger addressed them saying, “You women should give alms even if it consists of your jewellery, * for you will be the majority of the inhabitants of jahannam on the day of resurrection.” Tirmidhi transmitted it. * There is a difference of opinion as to whether this means simply giving some of their jewellery, or whether it means that zakat must be paid on jewellery which they possess.

‘Amr b. Shu'aib on his father’s authority said that his grandfather told of two women wearing gold bangles on their wrists coming to God’s messenger, who asked them whether they paid zakat on them. On their replying that they did not, he asked them whether they wanted God to put two bangles of fire on them, and when they replied that they did not, he told them to pay the zakat due on them. Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying something similar to this tradition has been transmitted by al-Muthanna b. as-Sabbah from ‘Amr b. Shu'aib; but al-Muthanna b. as-Sabbah and Ibn Lahi'a are declared to be weak in tradition; and nothing on this subject is soundly reported from the Prophet.

Umm Salama said she was wearing gold ornaments and asked God’s messenger whether that was a treasure,* to which he replied, “Whatever reaches a quantity on which zakat is payable is not a treasure when the zakat is paid.” Malik and Abu Dawud transmitted it. * The word kanz which means a treasure is used as a technical term for property liable to zakat on which the zakat is not paid.

Samura b. Jundub said God’s messenger used to order them to deduct the sadaqa from what they prepared for trade. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Rabi'a b. ‘Abd ar-Rahman on more than one person’s authority said, “God’s messenger assigned as a fief to Bilal b. al-Harith al-Muzani the mines of al-Qabaliya which is in the neighbourhood of al-Fur‘,* and only zakat is levied on those mines up to the present day.” Abu Dawud transmitted it. * Yaqut, Mu'jam, ii, 471, says it is a village in the neighbourhood of ar-Rabadha, eight stages from Medina on the way to Mecca; some say four days’ journey.

‘Ali reported the Prophet as saying, “There is no sadaqa on green herbs, palm-trees given in usufruct for a year, less than five camel-loads, working animals, or al-jabha.” As-Saqr said al-jabha* consists of horses, mules and slaves. Daraqutni transmitted it. * Applied usually to horses, meaning the best type.

Tawus told that a waqs of cattle was brought to Mu'adh b. Jabal and he said the Prophet did not command him to pay anything on them. Daraqutni and Shafi' transmitted it, the latter saying that a waqs is a number less than that on which sadaqa is payable. * * The word waqs or waqas is applied to odd numbers of animals (usually cattle) between one limit of assessment and the next.

Ibn ‘Umar said God’s messenger prescribed as the zakat payable by slave and freeman, male and female, young and old among the Muslims on breaking the fast of Ramadan a sa'* of dried dates or a sa' of barley, and gave command that this should be paid before the people went out to prayer. (Bukhari and Muslim.) * The Hijazi sa' is described as a measure equivalent to four mudds, the mudd being the amount a man with average size hands can hold with both hands extended.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudrl said, “We used to bring forth as the zakat on breaking the fast of Ramadan a sa’ of grain, or of barley, or of dried dates, or of cheese, or of raisins." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn 'Abbas said, “At the end of Ramadan bring forth the sadaqa relating to your fast. God's messenger prescribed this sadaqa as a sa' of dried dates or barley, or half a sa' of wheat payable by every free¬man or slave, male or female, young or old." Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

He said that God’s messenger prescribed the zakat relating to the breaking of the fast as a purification of the fasting from empty and obscene talk and as food for the poor. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Amr b. Shu'aib on his father’s authority said his grandfather told that the Prophet sent someone to announce in the ravines of Mecca, “The sadaqa relating to the breaking of the fast is incumbent on every Muslim, male or female, freeman or slave, young or old, consisting of two mudds of wheat or such like, or a sa' of grain." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. Tha'laba, or Tha'laba b. ‘Abdallah b. Abu Su'air* reported on his father’s authority that God’s messenger said, “A sa’ of wheat** is to be taken from every two, young or old, freeman or slave, male or female. Those of you who are rich will be purified by God and those of you who are poor will have more than they gave returned by Him to them.” Abu Dawud transmitted it. * Abu Dawud, zakat, 21 gives the name as above, but others often give b. Su'air. Ibn 'Abd al-Barr in Isti'ab and Ibn Hajar in Tahdhib give b. Su'air, adding that b. Abu Su'air also occurs. ** The transmitter is not sure which word for "wheat” was used, so he gives either burr or qamh.

Anas told that the Prophet came upon a date on the road and said, “Were it not that I fear it may be part of the sadaqa I would eat it.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)