SECTION 5 – THE COLLECTOR'S CONSENT
From Bashir ibn Hasasiya it is narrated:
Ibn Ubayd in his narration said: The true name of this person is not Bashir, but the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, gave him the name Bashir. Bashir relates: “We asked the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, ‘The collectors of zakat exceed the limit with us; can we withhold an amount equivalent to what they take in excess from our wealth?’ The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, replied, ‘No, you cannot.’”
EXPLANATION:
It is not permissible for the owner of property to conceal a portion of his property to prevent some collectors of zakat from taking more than due. For if permission were given in this regard, it would not only affect unjust collectors but also lead to those who are just concealing portions of others’ properties. It is hoped that the reward for the zakat taken in excess by the collector and delivered to the public treasury will be recorded in the owner's account.
It was narrated on the same chain of narration and with the same meaning as the preceding hadith. However, there, we said, “O Messenger of Allah! The collectors (of zakat) are exceeding their limits.”
It is narrated from Abdurrahman bin Jabir bin Atik from his father that:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Soon there will come to you collectors who are mounted and disliked. When they come to you, accommodate them, and leave them to what they desire to take. Give them what they ask for. If they act justly, it is to their benefit. If they act unjustly, it is to their detriment. Please them, for the completion of your zakat depends on their approval, and may they pray for you.”
Cerir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) related:
A group of bedouins came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him), and they said, “Some of the tax collectors are coming to us and wronging us.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) commanded them, "Appease your tax collectors."
They said, “O Messenger of Allah! Even if they wrong us?” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) commanded them, "Appease your tax collectors."
One of the narrators, Osman, added, “Even if you are wronged.”
Abu Kamil narrated in his hadith that Cerir said: After hearing these words from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him), no tax collector has ever left me without being appeased.