Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the Zakat of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a baldheaded poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and say, 'I am your wealth, I am your treasure.' " Then the Prophet (ﷺ) recited the holy verses:-- 'Let not those who withhold . . .' (to the end of the verse). (3.180).
Hadith Text & Context
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 1403 presents a powerful warning regarding the obligatory charity tax (Zakat). The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) addresses those blessed with wealth by Allah who neglect this fundamental pillar of Islam.
Scholarly Commentary
The snake imagery signifies the transformation of worldly wealth from a blessing into divine punishment. A bald-headed snake represents something repulsive and dangerous, while the two black spots intensify its fearsome appearance.
The snake encircling the neck symbolizes how withheld wealth becomes a source of eternal suffocation and torment for its owner in the Hereafter, contrary to the temporary comfort it provided in worldly life.
The snake's declaration "I am your wealth, I am your treasure" demonstrates how the miser's attachment to wealth becomes their ultimate regret - what they hoarded becomes their tormentor.
Quranic Connection
The Prophet's recitation of Surah Al-Imran (3:180) connects the hadith directly to divine revelation: "And let not those who greedily withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty think it is good for them. Rather, it is evil for them. They will be shackled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection." This verse confirms the spiritual reality described in the hadith.
Legal & Spiritual Implications
Classical scholars emphasize that Zakat is not merely charity but a compulsory right of the poor in the wealth of the rich. Withholding it constitutes both a violation of Allah's command and injustice toward the deserving recipients.
The severe warning indicates the gravity of neglecting Zakat, placing it among major sins that warrant such graphic descriptions of divine punishment in the Hereafter.