The Philosophy of Zakāt — Page 23
THE PH ILOSOPHY OF ZAKAT 23 assessable portion of Zak ā t remains intact with one’s possessions, he has to suffer loss here in this world over and above the retribution in the hereafter: Hazrat ‘Ayesha, the Holy Prophet’s spouse, said, ‘I have heard the Holy Prophet, peace be on him, s aying “If the Zak ā t portion remains unpaid from anyone’s assets, that portion causes the ruin of the whole. ”‘ (Mishkat: the Book of Zak ā t) An Ansar of Medina, named Th’alabah, once came to the Holy Prophet and entreated for supplication on his behalf that he may become rich. The Holy Prophet did as he was requested. The man had promised that he would always pay the due Zak ā t. God Almighty acc epted the supplications of the Holy Prophet on behalf of Th’alabah and made him affluent. He got so engrossed in tending his goats that he began to neglect his Prayers and gradually completely stopped coming to the mosque for Prayers. Once the Holy Prophet enquired from his companions about Th’alabah, what had happened to him and why he did not come for Prayers? Someone told him that he was busy looking after his flocks. The Holy Prophet sadly said, ‘How pitiable for Th’alabab’, and he repeated this three t imes. When the command for Zak ā t was revealed from Allah to the Holy Prophet he sent some men for collecting Zak ā t from him. But Th’alabah refused, saying what is this penalty for? He asked them to come some other time. But when they went to him again, he refuse d again, complaining why he was being penalized for no reason at all. The men came back to the Holy Prophet and reported what Th’alabah had said. The Holy Prophet said, ‘How sad for Th’alabah’, and there and then the following verse was