بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

The Obligation of Zakah — In the Light of Hadith

Paying Zakah Is One of the Five Fundamental Obligations of Islam:

“Hazrat ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Islam is built upon five: (1) testifying that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah, (2) establishing Salah, (3) paying Zakah, (4) performing Hajj, and (5) fasting in Ramadan.’” (Sahih Bukhari)

“Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent Mu‘adh رضي الله عنه to Yemen and instructed him: ‘You are going to a people from among the People of the Book; invite them first to testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah. If they accept this, then inform them that Allah has made five prayers obligatory upon them in the day and night. If they accept this, then inform them that Allah has made Zakah obligatory upon them, which will be taken from their wealthy and distributed among their poor. If they accept this as well, then beware of taking their best wealth, and protect yourself from the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah.’” (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

Clarification:
Just as denial of Salah constitutes disbelief, similarly denial of the obligation of Zakah is also disbelief. The command of Zakah appears numerous times in the Quran, and the Companions رضي الله عنهم even fought those who refused to pay it, just as they fought the disbelievers. There is consensus (ijma‘) among the Companions on this matter. والله أعلم.

“Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that a Bedouin came to the Noble Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘Tell me of such an action that, if I remain consistent upon it, I will enter Jannah.’ The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him, establish the obligatory Salah, give the obligatory Zakah, and fast in Ramadan.’ The man said: ‘By the One in whose Hand is my soul, I will not add anything to these.’ When he turned to leave, the Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Whoever wishes to see a man from the people of Jannah, let him look at this man.’” (Sahih Bukhari)

“Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed away and Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه became the Khalifah, some Arab tribes committed disbelief (and some refused to pay Zakah). Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه intended to fight them. ‘Umar رضي الله عنه said: ‘How can you fight them while the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “I have been commanded to fight the people until they testify that there is no deity but Allah; whoever says it, his life and wealth are protected from me except by its due right, and his reckoning is with Allah”?’

Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه replied: ‘By Allah, I will fight those who differentiate between Salah and Zakah (i.e., perform Salah but refuse Zakah), for Zakah is the right of wealth. By Allah, if they refuse even a young goat which they used to give to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ as Zakah, I will fight them for it.’

‘Umar رضي الله عنه later said: ‘By Allah, I realized that Allah had opened the chest of Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه to the truth, and I came to know that he was indeed upon the truth.’” (Sahih Bukhari)