Sunan Ibn Majah Book #8 - The Chapters Regarding Zakat

The Chapters Regarding Zakat from Sunan Ibn Majah

1783 It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Prophet (saw) sent Mu’adh to Yemen, and said: “You are going to some people among the People of the Book. Call them to bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that I am the Messenger of Allah. If they obey that, then tell them that Allah has enjoined upon them five prayers every day and night. If they obey that, then tell them that Allah has enjoined upon them charity (Zakat) from their wealth, to be taken from their rich and given to their poor. If they obey that, then beware of (taking) the best of their wealth. And beware of the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah.” (Sahih)

1784 It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “There is no one who does not pay Zakat on his wealth, but a bald-headed snake* will be made to appear to him on the Day of Resurrection, until it encircles his neck.” Then the Messenger of Allah (saw) recited the following Verse to us confirming that from the Book of Allah Most High: “And let not those who covetously withhold of that which Allah has bestowed on them of His Bounty (wealth) think that it is good for them.” [3:180] (Sahih)

*Hydra or serpent, they say it means a male snake that is either bald, or white headed due to its poison.

1785 It was narrated from Abu Dharr that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “There is no owner of camels, sheep or cattle who does not pay Zakat on them, but they will come to him on the Day of Resurrection as big and fat as they ever were, butting him with their horns and trampling him with their hooves. Every time the last of them has passed, the first of them will come back to him, until judgement is passed upon the people.” (Sahih)

1786 It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “The camels on which the dues (i.e., Zakat) were not paid will come, trampling their owners with their hooves. And cattle and sheep will come and trample their owners with their hooves and butt them with their horns. And hoarded treasure will come in the form of a bald-headed snake, and will meet its owner on the Day of Resurrection. Its owner will flee from it two times, then it will come to him again, and will say: ‘What do I have to do with you?’ and it will say: ‘I am your hoarded treasure, I am your hoarded treasure.’ He will try to shield himself with his hand and it will devour it.” (Sahih)

1787 Khalid bin Aslam, the freed slave of ‘Umar bin Khattab, said: “I went out with ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar, and a Bedouin met him and recited to him the words of Allah: ‘And those who hoard up gold and silver (the money, the Zakah of which has not been paid) and spend them not in the way of Allah.’ [9:34] Ibn ‘Umar said to him: ‘The one who hoards it and does not pay the Zakat due on it, woe to him. But this was before the (ruling on) Zakat was revealed. When it was revealed, Allah made it a purification of wealth.’ Then he turned away and said: ‘I do not mind if I have (the equivalent of) Uhud in gold, provided that I know how much it is and I pay Zakat on it, and I use it in obedience of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime.’” (Sahih)

1788 It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “When you pay Zakat on your wealth, then you have done what is required of you.” (Hasan)

1789 It was narrated from Fatimah bint Qais that she heard him, meaning the Prophet (saw) say: “There is nothing due on wealth other than Zakat.” (Da’if)

1790 It was narrated from ‘Ali that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “I have exempted you from having to pay Zakat on horses and slaves, but bring one quarter of one-tenth of every Dirham: one Dirham.” (Da’if)

1791 It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar and ‘Aishah that from every twenty Dinar or more, the Prophet (saw) used to take half a Dinar, and from forty Dinar, one Dinar. (Hasan)

1792 It was narrated that ‘Aishah said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say: ‘There is no Zakat on wealth until Hawl (one year) has passed.’” (Hasan)

1793 It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri that he heard the Prophet (saw) say: “There is no Sadaqah on anything less than five Awsaq* of dates, five Awaq** of silver and five camels.” (Sahih)

*Awsaq is plural of Wasq; a volume measurement equal to sixty Sa’. (Sindi)

**Awaq is plural of Uqiyyah and they also say: waqiyah. It is forty Dirham, and five Awaq is equal to two hundred Dirham. (Sindi)

1794 It was narrated from Jabir bin ‘Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: ‘There is no Sadaqah on less than five camels; there is no Sadaqah on less than five Awaq; and there is no Sadaqah on less than five Awsaq.’” (Sahih)

1795 It was narrated from ‘Ali bin Abu Talib that ‘Abbas asked the Prophet (saw) about paying his Sadaqah before it is due, and he granted him permission to do that. (Da’if)

1796 ‘Abdullah bin Abu Awfa said: “Whenever a man brought Sadaqah to the Messenger of Allah (saw), he would bless him. I brought him the Sadaqah of my wealth and he said: ‘Allahumma, salli ‘ala alia bi Awfa (O Allah! Send blessing upon the family of Abu Awfa).’” (Sahih)

1797 It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “When you give Zakat, do not forget its reward, and say, ‘Allahummaj-‘alha maghnaman wa la taj-‘alha maghrama (O Allah! Make it a gain and do not make it a loss).’” (Maudu’)

1798 Ibn Shihab narrated from Salim bin ‘Abdullah, from his father, from the Prophet (saw). He (Ibn Shihab) said: “Salim read to me a letter that the Messenger of Allah (saw) had written concerning Sadaqat, before Allah caused him to pass away, in which it was said: ‘For five camels one sheep; for ten, two sheep; for fifteen, three sheep, for twenty, four sheep. For twenty-five, a Bint Makhad (a one-year-old she-camel), up to thirty-five; if there is no Bint Makhad, then a Bin Labun (a two-year-old male camel). If there are more than thirty-five, every one, then a Bint Labun (a two-year-old she-camel) must be given, up to forty-five. If there are more than forty-five, even one, then a Hiqqah (a three-year-old she-camel), up to sixty camels. If there are more than sixty, even one more, then a Jadha’ah (a four-year-old she-camel) must be given, up to seventy-five, even one more, then two Bint Labun must be given, up to ninety. If there are more than ninety, even one more, then two Hiqqah must be given, up to one hundred and twenty. If there are many camels, then for each fifty, one Hiqqah must be given and for each forty a Bint Labun.’” (Hasan)

1799 It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: ‘There is no Sadaqah on any less than five camels, or for four. If the number of camels reaches five then one sheep must be given, up to nine. If the number reaches ten, then two sheep must be given, up to fourteen. If the number reaches fifteen, then three sheep must be given, up to nineteen. If the number reaches twenty, then four sheep must be given, up to twenty-four. If the number reaches twenty-five, then a Bint Makhad (a one-year-old she-camel), up to thirty-five; if there is no Bint Makhad, then a Bin Labun (a two-year-old male camel). If there are more camels, then a bint Labun (two-year-old she-camel) up to forty-five. If there are more camels, then a Hiqqah (a three-year-old she-camel) must be given, up to sixty. If there are more camels, then a Jadha’ah (a five-year-old she-camel) must be given, up to seventy-five. If there are more camels, then two Bint Labun must be given, up to ninety. If there are more camels, then two Hiqqah should be given, up to one hundred and twenty. Then for each fifty, one Hiqqah, and for each forty, a Bint Labun.’” (Hasan)

1800 Anas bin Malik narrated that Abu Bakr Siddiq wrote to him: “In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. This is the obligation of Sadaqah which the Messenger of Allah (saw) enjoined upon the Muslims, as Allah commanded the Messenger of Allah (saw). The ages of camels to be given (in Zakat) may be made up in sheep. So if a man has camels on which the Sadaqah is a Jadha’ah (a four-year-old she-camel), and he does not have a Jadha’ah but he has a Hiqqah (a three-year-old she-camel), then the Hiqqah should be accepted from him, and two sheep should be given (in addition), if they are readily available, or twenty Dirham. If a man has camels on which the Sadaqah is a Hiqqah, and he only has a Bint Labun (a two-year-old she-camel), then the Bint Labun should be accepted from him, along with two sheep or twenty Dirhams. If a man has camels on which the Sadaqah is a Bint Labun, and he does not have one, but he has a Hiqqah, then it should be accepted from him, and the Zakat collector should give him back twenty Dirham or two sheep. If a man has camels on which the Sadaqah is a Bint Labun, and he does not have one, but he has a Bint Makhad (a one-year-old she-camel), then the Bint Makhad should be accepted from him, along with twenty Dirham or two sheep. If a man has camels on which the Sadaqah is a Bint Makhad, and he does not have one, but he has a Bint Labun, then the Bint Labun should be accepted from him, and the Zakat collector should give him back twenty Dirhams or two sheep. Whoever does not have a Bint Makhad, but he has a Bin Labun (a two-year-old male camel), then it should be accepted from him and nothing else need be given along with it.’” (Sahih)

1801 It was narrated that Suwaid bin Ghafalah said: “The Zakah collector of the Prophet (saw) came to us, and I took him by the hand and read in his order: ‘Do not separate herds and do not separate a single herd for fear of Sadaqah.’ A man brought him a huge, fat she-camel, but he refused to accept it. So he brought him another of lower quality and he accepted it. He said: ‘What land would shelter me and what heaven would shade me, if I came to the Messenger of Allah (saw) having taken the best of a Muslim man’s camels?’” (Da’if)

1802 It was narrated from Jarir bin ‘Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: ‘The Zakat collector should not come back unless the people are pleased with him.”* (Sahih)

*Meaning, welcomed by those who he collects from, and paid the Zakat willingly.

1803 It was narrated that Mu’adh bin Jabal said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) sent me to Yemen and commanded me; for every forty cows, to take a Musinnah* and for every thirty, a Tabi’** or Tabi’ah.” (Da’if)

*A female cow that has entered its third year.

**A male cow that has entered its second year, and Tabi’ah is the female.

1804 It was narrated from ‘Abdullah that the Prophet (saw) said: “For every thirty cattle, a Tabi’ or Tabi’ah, and for every forty a Musinnah.” (Da’if)

1805 It was narrated from Ibn Shihab, from Salim bin ‘Abdullah, from his father, from the Messenger of Allah (saw). He (Salim) said: “My father read to me a letter than the Messenger of Allah (saw) had written about Sadaqat before Allah caused him to pass away. I read in it: ‘For forty sheep, one sheep, up to one hundred and twenty. If there is more than that – even one – then two sheep, up to two hundred. If there is one more than that – even one – then three sheep, up to three hundred. If there are many sheep, then for each hundred, one sheep.’ And I read in it: ‘Separate flocks should not be combined, and a combined flock should not be separated.’ And I read in it: ‘And a male goat should not be taken for Sadaqah, nor a decrepit nor defective animal.’” (Hasan)

1806 It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: ‘The Sadaqat of the Muslims should be taken at their watering places.” (Hasan)

1807 It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar, from the Prophet (saw): “For forty sheep, one sheep, up to one hundred and twenty. If there is one more, then two sheep, up to two hundred. If there is one more, then three sheep, up to three hundred. If there are more than that, then for every hundred one sheep. Do not separate a combined flock and do not combine separate flocks for fear of Sadaqah. Each partner (who has a share in a combined flock) should pay in proportion to his shares. And the Zakat collector should not accept any decrepit or defective animal, nor any male goat, unless he wishes to.” (Hasan)

1808 It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: ‘The one who is unjust in Sadaqah is like one who withholds it.’” (Hasan)

1809 It was narrated that Rafi’ bin Khadij said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say: ‘The person who is appointed to collect the Sadaqah – who does so with sincerity and fairness is like one who goes out to fight for the sake of Allah, until he returns to his house.’” (Hasan)

1810 ‘Abdullah bin Unais said that he and ‘Umar bin Khattab were speaking about Sadaqah one day, and ‘Umar said: “Did you not hear the Messenger of Allah (saw) when he mentioned Ghulul* with the Sadaqah (and said): ‘Whoever steals a camel or a sheep from it, he will be brought carrying it on the Day of Resurrection?’” ‘Abdullah bin Unais said: “Yes.” (Hasan)

*Normally used to refer to goods pilfered from the spoils of war.

1811 Ibrahim bin ‘Ata’, the freed slave of ‘Imran bin Husain, said: “My father told me that ‘Imran bin Husain was appointed to collect the Sadaqah. When he came back, it was said to him: ‘Where is the wealth?’ He said: ‘Was it for wealth that you sent me? We took it from where we used to take it at the time of the Messenger of Allah (saw), and we distributed it where we used to distribute it.’” (Hasan)

1812 It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “The Muslim is not obliged to pay Sadaqah on his slave nor his horse.” (Sahih)

1813 It was narrated from ‘Ali that the Prophet (saw) said: “I have exempted you from having to pay Sadaqah on horses and slaves.” (Hasan)

1814 It was narrated from Mu'adh bin Jabal that the Messenger of Allah (saw) sent him to Yemen and said to him, “Take grains from grains, sheep from sheep, camels from camels and cows from cows.” (Da’if)

1815 It was narrated from ‘Amr bin Shu’aib, from his father, that his grandfather said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) only prescribed Zakat on these five things: wheat, barley, dates, raisins and corn.” (Da’if)

1816 It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: ‘For crops that are irrigated by the sky (i.e., rain) and springs, one-tenth. For those that are irrigated by watering, one half of one-tenth.” (Hasan)

1817 It was narrated from Salim that his father said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say: ‘For whatever is irrigated by the sky, rivers and springs, or draws up water from deep roots, one tenth. For whatever is irrigated by animals (i.e., by artificial means) one half of one-tenth.’” (Sahih)

1818 It was narrated that Mu’adh bin Jabal said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) sent me to Yemen and commanded me to take one-tenth of that which was irrigated from the sky and that which was irrigated by deep roots, and to take one half of one-tenth of that which was irrigated by means of buckets.” (Da’if)

Yahya bin Adam said: The Ba’l and ‘Athari and ‘Adhyu are (crops) irrigated by the rain. ‘Athari is the crop irrigated by the clouds and rain especially. It is only watered by rain. Ba’l is the garden (grapevine) whose roots have gone down in to the earth to the water. Hence it does not need irrigation, even if it is not watered for five or six years. This is Ba’l. Sail is the water of the valley when it flows (freely) and Ghail is a lesser Sail.

1819 It was narrated from ‘Attab bin Asid that the Prophet (saw) used to send to the people one who would assess their vineyards and fruits. (Da’if)

1820 It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that when the Prophet (saw) conquered Khaibar, he stipulated that the land, and all the yellow and white, meaning gold and silver, belonged to him. The people of Khaibar said to him: “We know the land better, so give it to us so that we may work the land, and you will have half of its produce and we will have half.” He maintained that, he gave it to them on that basis. When the time for the date harvest came, he sent Ibn Rawahah to them. He assessed the date-palms, and he said: “For this tree, such and such (amount).” They said: “You are demanding too much of us, O Ibn Rawahah!” He said: “This is my assessment, and I will give you half of what I say.” They said: “This is fair, and fairness is what heaven and earth are based on.” They said: “We agree to take (accept) what you say.” (Hasan)

1821 It was narrated that ‘Awf bin Malik Al-Ashja’i said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) went out, and a man had hung up one or more branches of dates. He (the Prophet (saw)) had a stick in his hand and he started hitting that bunch of dates repeatedly, saying: ‘If the owner of these dates wanted to give in charity, he should have given something better than these. The owner of this charity will eat rotten and shrivelled dates on the Day of Resurrection.’” (Hasan)

1822 It was narrated that Bara’ bin ‘Azib said concerning the Verse: “And of that which We have produced from the earth for you, and do not aim at that which is bad to spend from it.” [2:267] “This was revealed concerning the Ansar. At the time of the new date-palm harvest, they would take a bunch of dates that were beginning to ripen and hang it on a rope between two of the pillars in the mosque of the Messenger of Allah (saw), and the poor Emigrants would eat from it. One of them deliberately mixed a bunch containing rotten and shrivelled dates, and though that his was permissible because of the large number of dates that had been put there. So the following was revealed about the one who did that: ‘...and do not aim at that which is bad to spend from it’. Meaning do not seek out the rotten and shrivelled dates to give in charity. ‘...(though) you would not accept it save if you close your eyes and tolerate therein.’ Meaning, if you were given this as a gift you would only accept it because you felt embarrassed, and you would be angry that he had sent you something of which you have no need. And know that Allah has no need of your charity.” (Hasan)

1823 It was narrated that Abu Sayyarah Al-Muta’i said: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! I have bees.’ He said: ‘Give one-tenth.’ I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Protect it for me.’ And he protected it for me.”* (Hasan)

*Meaning, no one was to enter the area of the beehives given in charity except him, so he could care for it.

1824 It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr that the Prophet (saw) took one-tenth of honey (as Zakat). (Hasan)

1825 It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (saw) enjoined Zakatul-Fitr, one Sa’ of dates or one Sa’ of barley.

Abdullah said: The people made two Mudd (equal to half of a Sa’) of wheat as its equivalent. (Sahih)

1826 It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) enjoined Sadaqatul-Fitr, one Sa’ of barley, or one Sa’ of dates for every Muslim, free or slave, male or female.” (Sahih)

1827 It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) enjoined Zakatul-Fitr as a purification for the fasting person from idle talk and obscenities, and to feed the poor. Whoever pays it before the (‘Eid) prayer, it is an accepted Zakah, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is (ordinary) charity.” (Hasan)

1828 It was narrated that Qais bin Sa’d said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) enjoined Sadaqatul-Fitr upon us before (the command of) Zakat was revealed. When (the command of) Zakat was revealed, he neither ordered us (to pay) nor forbade us (from paying it), so we did it.” (Sahih)

1829 It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri said: “We used to pay Zakatul-Fitr when the Messenger of Allah (saw) was among us, one Sa’ of food, one Sa’ of dates, one Sa’ of barley, one Sa’ of sun-baked cottage cheese, one Sa’ of raisins. We continued to do that until Mu’awiyah came to us in Al-Madinah. One of the things he said to the people was: ‘I think that two Mudd wheat from Sham is equivalent to one Sa’ of this (i.e., dates).’ So the people followed that.”

Abu Sa’eed said: “I will continue to pay it as I used to pay it at the time of the Messenger of Allah (saw) for as long as I live.” (Sahih)

1830 It was narrated from ‘Ammar bin Sa’eed, the Mu’adhdhin of the Messenger of Allah (saw), from his father, that the Messenger of Allah (saw) enjoined Sadaqatul-Fitr, one Sa’ of dates, one Sa’ of barley, or one Sa’ of Sult (a kind of barley without skin on it, resembling wheat). (Sahih)

1831 It was narrated that ‘Ala bin Hadrami said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) sent me to Bahrain or Hajar. I used to go to a garden that was shared by some brothers, one of whom had become Muslim. I would take the ‘Ushr (one-tenth of the harvest) from the Muslim, and the Kharaj from the Mushrik.” (Da’if)

1832 It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed and attributed to the Prophet (saw): “A Wasq is sixty Sa’.” (Da’if)

1833 It was narrated that Jabir bin ‘Abdullah said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “A Wasq is sixty Sa’.’” (Da’if)

1834 It was narrated that Zainab the wife of ‘Abdullah said: “I asked the Messenger of Allah (saw): ‘Will it be accepted as charity on my part if I spend on my husband and the orphans in my care?’ The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: ‘She will have two rewards, the reward for charity and the reward for upholding the ties of kinship.’” (Sahih)

Another chain from Zainab the wife of ‘Abdullah, from the Prophet (saw), with similar wording.

1835 It was narrated that Umm Salamah said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) enjoined charity upon us. Zainab, the wife of ‘Abdullah, said: ‘Will it be accepted as charity on my part if I give charity to my husband who is poor, and to the children of a brother of mine who are orphans, spending such and such on them, and in all circumstances?’ He said: ‘Yes.’” (Sahih)

One of the narrators said: “She used to prepare handicraft articles.”*

*Meaning, she worked, and that is why she had wealth to give.

1836 It was narrated from Hisham bin ‘Urwah, from his father, that his grandfather said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: ‘If one of you were to take his rope (or ropes) and go to the mountains, and bring a bundle of firewood on his back to sell, and thus become independent of means, that would be better for him than begging from people who may either give him something or not give him anything.’” (Sahih)

1837 It was narrated from ‘Abdur-Rahman bin Yazid, that Thawban said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: ‘Who will commit himself to one thing, I will guarantee him Paradise?’ I said: ‘I will.’ He said: ‘Do not ask people for anything.’ So Thawban would drop his whip while he was on his mount, and he would not say to anyone: ‘Get that for me’ rather he would dismount and grab it.” (Sahih)

1838 It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “Whoever begs from people so as to accumulate more riches, he is asking for a live coal from Hell, so let him ask for a lot or a little.” (Sahih)

1839 It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “Charity is not permissible for a rich person, or for one who is strong and healthy.” (Sahih)

1840 It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “Whoever begs when he has enough to suffice him, his begging will come on the Day of Resurrection like lacerations on his face.” It was said: “’O Messenger of Allah, what is sufficient for him?” He said: “Fifty Dirham, or their value in gold.” (Da’if)

Another chain of narrators for the Hadith has been discussed by Sufyan (one of the narrators).

1841 It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “Charity is not permissible for a rich man except in five cases: One who is appointed to collect it, a warrior fighting in the cause of Allah, a rich man who buys it with his own money, a poor man who receives the charity and gives it as a gift to a rich man, and a debtor.” (Sahih)

1842 It was narrated from Sa’eed bin Yasar that he heard Abu Hurairah say: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: ‘No one gives charity from good sources – for Allah does not accept anything but that which is good – but the Most Merciful takes it in His Right Hand, even if it is a date, and it flourishes in the Hand of the Most Merciful until it becomes bigger than a mountain, and He tends it as anyone of you would tend to his colt (i.e., young pony) or his young (weaned) camel.’” (Sahih)

1843 It was narrated from ‘Adi bin Hatim that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “Each one of you will be spoken to by his Lord, with no mediator between them, He will look in front of him and the Fire will be facing him. He will look to his right and will not see anything but something that he had sent on before. He will look to his left and will not see anything but something that he had sent on before. Whoever among you can save himself from the Fire, even with half a date, let him do so.” (Sahih)

1844 It was narrated from Salman bin ‘Amir Dabbi that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “Charity given to the poor is charity, and that given to a relative is two things: charity and upholding the ties of kinship.” (Sahih)