8/1. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 1783 — Zakat and Justice
The obligation of Zakat
Hadith About Zakat, Prayer, and the Dua of the Oppressed
Sunan Ibn Majah : 1783
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 1783
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعُ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ، حَدَّثَنَا زَكَرِيَّا بْنُ إِسْحَاقَ الْمَكِّيُّ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ صَيْفِيٍّ، عَنْ أَبِي مَعْبَدٍ، مَوْلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ بَعَثَ مُعَاذًا إِلَى الْيَمَنِ فَقَالَ " إِنَّكَ تَأْتِي قَوْمًا أَهْلَ كِتَابٍ فَادْعُهُمْ إِلَى شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوا لِذَلِكَ فَأَعْلِمْهُمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ خَمْسَ صَلَوَاتٍ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوا لِذَلِكَ فَأَعْلِمْهُمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَدَقَةً فِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ تُؤْخَذُ مِنْ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ فَتُرَدُّ فِي فُقَرَائِهِمْ فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوا لِذَلِكَ فَإِيَّاكَ وَكَرَائِمَ أَمْوَالِهِمْ وَاتَّقِ دَعْوَةَ الْمَظْلُومِ فَإِنَّهَا لَيْسَ بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْنَ اللَّهِ حِجَابٌ " .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
The Prophet send Muadh 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 the 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 and Allah.”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 1783In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 1English translation : Vol. 3, Book 8, Hadith 1783
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 1783
This Hadith about Zakat gives a clear order of calling people to Islam. The Prophet sent Muadh to Yemen and told him to begin with the testimony of faith. If they accepted that, he should teach them about the five daily prayers. If they obeyed that, he should teach them about Zakat: charity taken from the rich and returned to the poor among them. The Hadith also warns not to take the best of people's wealth and to fear the supplication of the oppressed. Its message is balanced: teach faith first, then prayer, then Zakat, while protecting people from unfair treatment.
What we learn from this hadith
- Faith comes before other duties in calling people to Islam.
- The five daily prayers are a required part of Muslim life.
- Zakat is taken from the wealthy and given to the poor.
- Those who collect dues must avoid oppression and unfair taking.
