If one withholds zakah, is it taken from him by force?
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The questioner : The one who refuses to pay zakah, does he... or is he fought?
The Shaykh : Well, it is known that if it is possible to compel them to pay it without fighting, that is what is obligatory. But sometimes it is not possible; if an entire tribe requires fighting, that is one matter. But if it is one or two people, then it is possible to compel them to pay it. The correct view is that they are compelled to pay it, and half of their wealth is also taken, as in the hadith:Sunan Abi Dawud 1575Hasan (Al-Albani) It is said that this half refers to all of their wealth, meaning half of their wealth is taken. It is also said that it is half of the wealth from which they withheld the zakah. The matter in this regard returns to the opinion of the Imam; if he sees that taking half of all his wealth is more deterrent for others, then that is good.
The questioner : Is it accepted from him...?
The Shaykh : No. If it is taken from him by force, it suffices for him outwardly, but as for what is between him and Allah, it does not suffice for him.
The Shaykh : Well, it is known that if it is possible to compel them to pay it without fighting, that is what is obligatory. But sometimes it is not possible; if an entire tribe requires fighting, that is one matter. But if it is one or two people, then it is possible to compel them to pay it. The correct view is that they are compelled to pay it, and half of their wealth is also taken, as in the hadith:
we shall take half the property from him
إنا آخذوها وشطر مالهThe questioner : Is it accepted from him...?
The Shaykh : No. If it is taken from him by force, it suffices for him outwardly, but as for what is between him and Allah, it does not suffice for him.