Abu Hurairah reported that Messenger of Allah (SWAS) as saying If any owner of treasure (gold and silver) does not pay what is due on it, Allah will make it heated in the Hell fire on the Day of Judgment, and his side, forehead and back will be cauterized with it until Allah gives His Judgment among mankind during a day whose extent will be fifty thousand years of your count and he sees whether his path is to take him to Paradise or to Hell. If any owner does not pay zakat on them, the sheep wilkl appear on the Day or Judgment most strong and in great number, a soft sandy plain will be spread out for them ; they will gore him with their horns and trample him with their hoofs; there will be none of them with twisted horns or without horns. As often as the last of them passes him, the first of them will be brought back to him, until Allah pronounces His Judgment among mankind during a day whose extent will be fifty thousand years that you count, and he sees whether his path is to take him to Paradise or to Hell. If any owner of camels does not pay what is due on them, they will appear in on the Day or Judgment most strong and in great number, a soft sandy plain will be spread out for them ; they will gore him with their horns and trample him with their hoofs; there will be none of them with twisted horns or without horns. As often as the last of them passes him, the first of them will be brought back to him, until Allah pronounces His Judgment among mankind during a day whose extent will be fifty thousand years that you count, and he sees whether his path is to take him to Paradise or to Hell.
Hadith Commentary: The Grave Consequences of Withholding Zakat
This profound hadith from Sunan Abi Dawud 1658 serves as a severe warning regarding the obligation of Zakat. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) delineates the terrifying consequences for those who withhold what is due to Allah from their wealth, emphasizing that Zakat is not merely a recommended charity but a fundamental pillar of Islam whose neglect incurs divine wrath.
Scholarly Analysis of the Three Categories
The hadith systematically addresses three types of wealth: gold and silver (treasure), sheep, and camels. Classical scholars explain that these represent categories of zakatable wealth. Gold and silver symbolize currency and stored wealth, while sheep and camels represent livestock wealth. The punishment is specifically tailored to each type of wealth withheld.
For gold and silver owners who neglect zakat, their punishment involves being branded with their own treasure heated in Hellfire. Scholars interpret this as poetic justice - the very wealth they hoarded becomes their instrument of torment. The cauterization of side, forehead, and back indicates comprehensive suffering.
The Nature of Animal Punishments
The imagery of livestock trampling and goring their owners carries deep symbolism. Scholars note that the description of animals being "most strong and in great number" indicates that the punishment corresponds to the amount of zakat owed. The "soft sandy plain" ensures maximum suffering, while the absence of "twisted horns or without horns" signifies perfect, unimpaired instruments of punishment.
The cyclical nature of the punishment - where the last animal returns to become the first again - represents eternal recurrence of torment until Judgment is pronounced. This reflects the severity of withholding what rightfully belongs to the poor and needy.
The Day of Judgment Context
The repeated mention of "fifty thousand years" emphasizes the unimaginable duration and intensity of the Day of Judgment. Classical commentators explain this not as literal earthly years, but as an expression of the tremendous gravity and length of that Day, during which souls will await their final destination.
The final phrase "he sees whether his path is to take him to Paradise or to Hell" serves as the ultimate warning. Scholars stress that this punishment occurs before the final judgment, meaning the sinner suffers additional torment before facing eternal destiny, highlighting the gravity of neglecting this fundamental obligation.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
This hadith establishes that withholding zakat constitutes major sin (kabirah). Classical jurists derive from this that zakat is fard (obligatory) and its denial or neglect threatens one's Islamic standing. The punishment described serves as both deterrent and reminder of the serious nature of economic obligations in Islam.
Scholars emphasize that this warning applies to those who willfully neglect zakat despite having the means. The hadith reinforces the concept of wealth as amanah (trust) from Allah, with zakat representing the poor's rightful share that owners merely distribute as trustees.