Consequences for Defaulters

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “If a person does not pay Zakah on his properties, then Allah will put huge serpents around his neck [on the Day of Judgement].” Then he read its corroboration from the Quran [Surah Aal-e-Imran, Ayat 180]: “Let not those who are miserly with what Allah has bestowed on them of His bounty think that it is good for them; no, it will be worse for them. Soon will the things which they covetously withheld be tied around their necks on the Day of Judgement.” [Ibn Majah]

Is there any tax in the world that is only two and a half percent?

We may be paying 30% of our hard earned income to the government, and if we evade this tax, could face confiscation of all our property and prison time. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) asks us only to return 2.5% of what He gave us in the first place!

We understand that there will be consequences to face if we evade the man-made laws of this world, then why should there be no consequences if we evade the laws of our Creator.

Calculate and pay your Zakah. Then try to give at least as much in Sadaqah as well, to cover up for any shortcomings in your payment of Zakah, and for the reward of Sadaqah. Together the two would make up 5% of your savings and the worth of your assets. It’s worth it!