A wealthy man who did not pay zakah in past years then repented: how does he discharge what is due, and is there an expiation?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you. You say: A wealthy man who did not pay zakah in past years then repented: how does he discharge what is due? And is there an expiation?
The Shaykh : He discharges what is due by calculating his wealth at the time zakah became obligatory, determining its amount, and then paying it out, because it is a debt in his liability that is not cleared except by its payment.
If he says: This is difficult, and also he may not have calculated his wealth?
We say: Investigate and act with caution. If you add a thousand to a thousand, meaning you pay double, that is better than subtracting a dirham. The excess is for you; if it was obligatory, you have cleared your liability, and if it was not obligatory, it is voluntary charity.
But if he falls short, sin occurs, and he falls under the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Ali 'Imran 3:180], and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih al-Bukhari 1403, the shuja' is a great snake, aqra', meaning it has no hair on its head due to the abundance of poison, and refuge is sought in Allah , meaning two glands, each like a grape, filled with poison, and refuge is sought in Allah .
So let those who are stingy with zakah beware of this warning and the like of it, and let them fear Allah who gave them this wealth, so that they spend from it for Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and to increase their good deeds.
The Shaykh : He discharges what is due by calculating his wealth at the time zakah became obligatory, determining its amount, and then paying it out, because it is a debt in his liability that is not cleared except by its payment.
If he says: This is difficult, and also he may not have calculated his wealth?
We say: Investigate and act with caution. If you add a thousand to a thousand, meaning you pay double, that is better than subtracting a dirham. The excess is for you; if it was obligatory, you have cleared your liability, and if it was not obligatory, it is voluntary charity
And every person will be in the shade of his charity on the Day of Resurrection
وكل امرئٍ في ظل صدقته يوم القيامةBut if he falls short, sin occurs, and he falls under the saying of Allah the Exalted:
And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty ever think that it is better for them. Rather, it is worse for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. And Allah, with what you do, is [fully] Acquainted.
ولا يحسبن الذين يبخلون بما آتاهم الله من فضله هو خيرا لهم بل هو شر لهم سيطوقون ما بخلوا به يوم القيامة ولله ميراث السماوات والأرض والله بما تعملون خبيرWhoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the Zakat of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a baldheaded
من آتاه الله مالاً فلم يؤدِ زكاته مثل له يوم القيامة شجاعاً أقرعIt has two grapes
له زبيبتانIt has two grapes, it takes him by his jaws and says: I am your wealth, I am your treasure, I am your wealth, I am your treasure
له زبيبتان يأخذ بشدقيه فيقول : أنا مالك أنا كنزك ، أنا مالك أنا كنزكSo let those who are stingy with zakah beware of this warning and the like of it, and let them fear Allah who gave them this wealth, so that they spend from it for Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and to increase their good deeds.