Zakat Paid To Those Who Do Not Believe in the Divine Authority of ’A’immah

“Abu Ja‘far, and abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, were asked about the case of one who follows such opinions as al-Harawriyah, al-Murji’ah, al-‘Uthmaniyah and al-Qadriyah. He then repents and recognizes this issue (the Divine Authority of ’A’immah) and corrects his opinion, is he required to perform the Qada’ (compensatory prayer for) all of his Salah (prayer), fasting, payment of Zakat and Hajj; or is he not required to do them again? He (the Imam) said, ‘He is not required to do any of these things again, except Zakat which is necessary to be paid because he has placed it improperly. The proper place for it is people of al-Wilayah (people who acknowledge Divine Authority of ’A’immah, ‘Alayhim al-Sa^m).’”

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Whoever withholds one dirham of right, he ends up spending two dirhams for the cause of falsehood. If one denies payment of one dirham of right on his wealth, Allah makes a snake of fire to curl around him on the Day of Judgment.’ He (the narrator) has said that he asked about a man who is knowledgeable, but has paid his Zakat to undeserving people at a certain time has he to pay it again to the deserving people if he knows them? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he is required to do so.’ I then asked, ‘What should he do if he does not find any deserving people? Thus he did not pay, or he did not know if he owes anything or not, but later finds out that he owes.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He is required to pay to the deserving people for the past.’ I then asked, ‘What is he required to do if he does not find the deserving people and pays to undeserving people although he had done his best and then found out bad things that he had done.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He is not required to pay it one more time.’” Zurarah has narrated a similar Hadith, except that if he does his best he becomes free of his responsibility, but if he has fallen short in doing his best to find out proper beneficiary, then he is not free of his responsibility.”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Zakat cannot be given as a gift to relatives or be denied to non-relatives.’”

“Shihab ibn “Abd Rabbihi once asked me to convey his Salam (greeting of peace) to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and that he becomes terrified in his sleep. I then said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that Shihab has offered Salam (greeting of peace) and has said that he becomes terrified in his sleep. He (the Imam) said, ‘Tell him to pay Zakat of his assets.’ I then conveyed the message to Shihab and he asked me, ‘Will you deliver to him (the Imam) a message?’ I replied, ‘Yes, I can do so.’ He said, ‘Tell him (the Imam) that even children, not to mention adults, know that I pay Zakat obligatory on my assets.’ I (the narrator) then conveyed the message to him (the Imam) and abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘Say to him that he pays Zakat due on his assets but he does not give it to a proper beneficiary.’”

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has stated this Hadith. ’Every deed that a Nasib (one hostile to ’A’immah) does in his condition as such, then Allah grants him the favor of making him to acknowledge this issue (the Divine Authority of ’A’immah), He gives him the reward for all of his deeds except Zakat which he must pay again. It is because of his giving it to improper beneficiaries. The proper beneficiaries of Zakat are people who acknowledge al-Wilayah (the Divine Authority of ‘A’immah). However, he is not required to perform Qada’ (compensatory prayer for) his Salah (prayer) and fasting.’”

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), if Zakat can be given to those who do not acknowledge this issue (the Divine Authority of ’A’immah). He (the Imam) said, ‘No, not even al-Fitrah Zakat can be given to them.’”