Alms-tax On Nine Things

I swear by God that in the Prophet’s (MGB) lifetime sesame seeds, corn and birds’ seeds were all available.’ He was told, ‘It is said that these did not exist at the time of the Prophet (MGB). That is why he (MGB) has only established the alms-tax on those nine items.’ The Imam (MGB) became angry again and said, ‘They lie. The Prophet’s (MGB) explicit order was to forgive everything else. One may only forgive what exists. I swear by God that the alms-tax has been made obligatory on nothing else but these nine things. Whoever wishes can accept it and anyone who doesn’t wish can deny it and become an atheist.’”

I asked Abdullah as-Sadiq (MGB) about how many items require alms-tax. The Imam (MGB) said, “Nine things require alms-tax which God’s Prophet (MGB) has established. He (MGB) has forgiven tax on other things.” One of those present called al-Tayyar said, “We plant some thing which we call rice.” The Imam (MGB) said, “We plant a lot of things, too.” He asked, “Is there any alms-tax on rice?” The Imam (MGB) said, “Did I not say that God’s Prophet (MGB) has forgiven tax on anything else. These nine things include gold and silver. They also include three animals that are camels, sheep and cows. The rest are from things which grow on the Earth and are wheat, barley, raisins and dates.”