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What happens if Zakat is not given?
What punishment can there be if one is dishonest or negligent regarding Zakat?
Zakat is an obligatory worship in Islam. This is a designated right from Allah Ta'ala, which is specified for the poor and needy. Neglecting to pay Zakat or not giving it is a grave sin.
Quranic Warning
In the Holy Quran, Allah Ta'ala says
"And those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah - give them tidings of a painful punishment."
Surah At-Tawbah 9:34
This means that if Zakat is not paid, accumulating wealth can be a cause of punishment.
Description of Punishment from Hadith
It has come in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
Muhammad (ﷺ) said
"The person whom Allah has given wealth but he did not pay its Zakat, on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be turned into the form of a poisonous snake, which will be twisted around his neck."
(Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, Chapter of Zakat)
More Warnings from Hadith
The Messenger ﷺ further said:
"The person who does not pay the Zakat of his wealth, his wealth will be a cause of punishment for him on the Day of Resurrection."
Remember briefly
If Zakat is not paid or if there is dishonesty in it:
- Wealth will be a cause of punishment in the Hereafter
- Warning of severe punishment has come in the Quran
- Description of severe punishment is present in Hadith
- Wealth loses its blessings
Zakat is the right of Allah, so paying it with honesty is an extremely urgent and obligatory responsibility.
Zakat is spending a specific portion of wealth in the way of Allah; Zakat is obligatory upon those who possess a specific amount of wealth. If Zakat is not paid, wealth remains impure.