Refusal to Pay zakat

“Once I asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about the following words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ’. . . whatever they are avaricious about will be tied to their necks on the Day of Judgment. . (3:180) The Imam said, ‘O abu Muhammad, if one refuses to pay zakat Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, on the Day of Judgment will make a serpent of fire to curl around his neck and bite his flesh until He completes His judging all people.’ He then said, ’The words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, “Whatever they are avaricious about will be tied to their necks” is a reference to their avarice in paying zakat.”’

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘. . . whatever they are avaricious about will be tied to their necks on the Day of Judgment. . .’ (3:180). The Imam said, ‘O abu Muhammad, if one refuses to pay zakat, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, on the Day of Judgment will make a serpent of fire to curl around his neck and bite his flesh until He completes His judging all people.’ He then said, ‘The words of Allah, “Whatever they are avaricious about will be tied to their necks” are a reference to their avarice in paying zakat.’””

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has joined zakat with Salah (prayer), saying, “Maintain Salah (prayer) and pay zakat.” Thus, if one does not pay zakat, he has not performed Salah (prayer).”’