بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Etiquettes of Giving and Receiving Zakah (2) — In the Light of Hadith

In Zakah, Wealth of a Moderate Standard Should Be Taken — Neither the Best Nor the Worst:

“Hazrat Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه narrates that Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه wrote to him, according to the instructions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ regarding Zakah, that old, defective, and male animals should not be taken in Zakah; however, if the collector considers it appropriate, he may take them.” (Sahih Bukhari)

“Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنه narrates that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent Mu‘adh رضي الله عنه to Yemen, he said: ‘You are going to a people from among the People of the Book. Invite them first to the worship of Allah. When they come to recognize Allah (i.e., accept Islam), then inform them that Allah has made five prayers obligatory upon them in the day and night. When they establish these, inform them that Allah has made Zakah obligatory upon them, to be taken from their wealthy (those possessing nisab) and distributed among their poor. When they accept this, then collect Zakah from them—but avoid taking their best wealth.’” (Sahih Bukhari)

Zakah should only be transferred from one place to another when there are no deserving recipients in the original location, or when there is a valid necessity, benefit, or greater good that cannot be achieved otherwise. In such cases, transferring Zakah is permissible.

When Giving Zakah, Separate Wealth Should Not Be Combined, and Joint Wealth Should Not Be Divided to Avoid Zakah:

“Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه narrates that Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه wrote for them the prescribed rules of Zakah as determined by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, which included that separate wealth should not be combined, nor joint wealth separated, out of fear of Zakah.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Clarification:

1. An example of combining wealth: If three individuals each own forty sheep separately, each must give one sheep as Zakah. But if they combine their flocks, only one sheep would be due. Such manipulation is prohibited.

An example of separating wealth: If two partners jointly own 240 sheep, three sheep are due as Zakah. But if they divide the herd into 120 each, each would give only one sheep. This too is prohibited.

2. The same ruling applies to the Zakah collector. For example, if two partners jointly own 80 sheep, only one sheep is due as Zakah. The collector cannot divide them into two sets of 40 and take two sheep.

Zakah May Be Paid Before the Completion of One Year if Needed:

“Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه narrates that Hazrat ‘Abbas رضي الله عنه asked the Noble Prophet ﷺ about paying Zakah before the completion of the year, and he granted him permission.” (Jami‘ Tirmizi)