yourself. If he صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم accepts it from you, I will take it; if he rejects it, I will not take it.’ The man agreed, and he accompanied me, taking the camel with him.

When we approached the blessed court of the Messenger صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, the man humbly said, ‘O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, your representative came to me to collect the Zakat of my possessions. I swear by Allah Almighty! Before this, I have never been blessed with the good fortune of having my wealth observed by you or your representative.

I gathered all of my camels in front of your representative, and he considers my year old camel to be eligible for giving as Zakat. A year old camel does not produce milk, nor can it be ridden. For this reason, I presented him with a young and healthy camel to be accepted as my Zakat, but he declined to take this. O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, I have brought it in your blessed court, please accept this.’

Our beloved master, the Imam of the Prophets, the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم then explained, ‘That is what is due upon you (the year old camel). Yes, if you want to give an older she-camel at your will, then Allah Almighty will reward you for it. We accept her from you.’ He humbly said, ‘O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, this is the very she-camel which I have brought with me. Please accept her.’ The Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم then gave permission for this she-camel to be taken, and prayed for blessings in the man’s wealth.” ^[1]

Dear Islamic brothers! Look how enthusiastically the honourable Companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُم gave Zakat. They would present their most excellent possessions in the path of Allah Almighty, and would deem it a privilege for them. Alas! Look at our state! The majority of us do not pay Zakat at all, let alone paying it wholeheartedly. Remember, the