Allah, 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 one-year-old camel to be eligible for giving as Zakat. A one-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 Messengerصَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم  then explained, “That is what is due upon you (the one-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 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 Prophetصَلَّى 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 اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُم gave Zakat. They would present their most excellent possessions in the path of Allah Almighty, and would deem it a privilege for them. But look at our state, many of us do not pay Zakat at all, let alone paying it willingly. Remember, the Holy Quran conveys a severe warning for those who do not pay Zakat, as it is stated in part 10, Surah At-Taubah, verse 34:

وَ الَّذِیْنَ یَكْنِزُوْنَ الذَّهَبَ وَ الْفِضَّةَ وَ لَا یُنْفِقُوْنَهَا فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِۙ-فَبَشِّرْهُمْ بِعَذَابٍ اَلِیْمٍۙ(۳۴)

And those who accumulate gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah, give them glad tidings of painful punishment.^[2]

Listen to two blessed sayings of the Holy Prophetصَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم  containing