The Prophet (ﷺ) employed Ibn Al-Utbiyya to collect Zakat from Bani Sulaim, and when he returned (with the money) to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) the Prophet (ﷺ) called him to account, and he said, "This (amount) is for you, and this was given to me as a present." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Why don't you stay at your father's house or your mother's house to see whether you will be given gifts or not, if you are telling the truth?" Then Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) stood up and addressed the people, and after glorifying and praising Allah, he said: Amma Ba'du (then after) I employ some men from among you for some job which Allah has placed in my charge, and then one of you comes to me and says, 'This (amount) is for you and this is a gift given to me.' Why doesn't he stay at the house of his father or the house of his mother and see whether he will be given gifts or not if he was telling the truth by Allah, none of you takes anything of it (i.e., Zakat) for himself (Hisham added: unlawfully) but he will meet Allah on the Day of Resurrection carrying it on his neck! I do not want to see any of you carrying a grunting camel or a mooing cow or a bleating sheep on meeting Allah." Then the Prophet (ﷺ) raised both his hands till I saw the whiteness of his armpits, and said, "(No doubt)! Haven't I conveyed Allah's Message!"
The Incident and Its Context
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 7197 concerns Ibn Al-Utbiyya, appointed by the Prophet (ﷺ) to collect Zakat from Bani Sulaim. Upon returning, he claimed some funds were "gifts" given to him personally, separating them from the Zakat due.
The Prophet's (ﷺ) response establishes a critical principle: those in positions of trust, especially collectors of public funds like Zakat, cannot accept personal gifts. Such "gifts" are essentially bribes or misappropriation, as they stem from the individual's official capacity.
Scholarly Commentary (Tafsir/Sharh)
The Prohibition of Gifts for Officials: The Prophet's (ﷺ) rhetorical question, "Why don't you stay at your father's house... to see whether you will be given gifts or not?" demonstrates that gifts given to a person because of their official position are unlawful (haram). This is considered a form of ghulul (misappropriation of public funds).
The Gravity of the Sin: The Prophet's (ﷺ) warning that one who takes such wealth unlawfully will "meet Allah on the Day of Resurrection carrying it on his neck" emphasizes the severe spiritual consequences. The imagery of carrying a grunting camel or bleating sheep signifies the burden and public exposure of the sin on Judgment Day.
Principle of Accountability: The Prophet (ﷺ) publicly called the collector to account, establishing transparency and accountability for those handling public trusts (amanah). This sets a precedent for Islamic governance.
The Final Declaration: By raising his hands and asking, "Haven't I conveyed Allah's Message!" the Prophet (ﷺ) stressed the divine origin of this ruling, making it a binding religious obligation for all Muslims.
Legal Rulings (Ahkaam) Derived
1. It is strictly forbidden (haram) for any official or employee to accept gifts due to their position.
2. Public funds (like Zakat) must be protected from any form of misappropriation.
3. Leaders must hold officials accountable for their handling of public trusts.
4. The sin of misappropriating public funds is among the gravest, with severe consequences in the Hereafter.
5. The principle applies broadly to all positions of authority where one handles others' wealth or interests.