Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “If any owner of gold or silver does not pay what is due on it, when the day of resurrection comes plates of fire will be beaten out for him, they will be heated in the fire of jahannam, and his side, forehead and back will be cauterised with them. Every time they are put back in the fire they will be returned to him during a day whose extent will be fifty thousand years, until judgment is pronounced among mankind and he sees whether his path is to take him to paradise or to hell." He was asked about camels and replied, “If any owner of camels does not pay what is due on them, one thing which is due being to milk them on the day they come down to water,* when the day of resurrection comes a soft sandy plain will be spread out for them, as extensive as possible, he will find that not a single young one is missing, and they will trample him with their hoofs and bite him with their mouths. As often as the first of them pass him the last of them will be brought back to him during a day whose extent will be fifty thousand years, until judgment is pronounced among mankind and he sees whether his path is to take him to paradise or to hell." He was asked about cattle and sheep and said, “If any owner of cattle or sheep does not pay what is due on them, when the day of resurrection comes a soft sandy plain will be spread out for them, he will find none of them missing, with twisted horns, without horns, or with a broken horn, and they will gore him with their horns and trample him with their hoofs. As often as the first of them pass him the last of them will be brought back to him during a day whose extent will be fifty thousand years, until judgment is pronounced among mankind and he sees whether his path is to take him to paradise or to hell”. He was asked about horses and said, “Horses are of three types; to one man they are a load, to another a covering, and to another a reward. The first class is exemplified when a man keeps them in hypocrisy, vainglory and opposition to the people of Islam, so they are a load to him. The second class is exemplified when a man keeps them to be used in God's path and is not forgetful of God’s right concerning their backs and necks, so they are a covering to him. The third class is exemplified when a man keeps them to be used in God's path by the people of Islam and puts them in a meadow and field. The amount of what they eat in that meadow or field will be recorded on his behalf as good deeds, as will also the amount of their dung and urine. If they break their halter and prance a course or two God will record the amount of their hoofmarks and their dung on his behalf as good deeds. If their master brings them past a river from which they drink, although he did not intend to water them, God will record the amount of what they drink on his behalf as good deeds.” He was asked about asses and said, "I have had no revelation about asses except this solitary verse of a composite nature, ‘He who does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and he who does an atom’s weight of evil will see it'.”**Muslim transmitted it.* This is said to be in order that he may be able to give a drink to passers-by and the poor.** Qur’an 99: 7.
The Grave Consequences of Withholding Zakat
This profound hadith from Mishkat al-Masabih 1773 establishes the severe punishment awaiting those who neglect their zakat obligations. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) describes specific torments for each category of wealth - gold and silver will become instruments of fire, while livestock will trample and gore their owners on Judgment Day.
Scholarly Commentary on Wealth Categories
Classical scholars explain that the punishment corresponds to the nature of the wealth withheld. Gold and silver, being mineral wealth, are punished with fire from Hell. Camels, cattle and sheep - living creatures - will themselves become instruments of divine punishment.
The "day whose extent will be fifty thousand years" refers to the tremendous length and severity of the punishment period before final judgment, emphasizing the gravity of neglecting this fundamental pillar of Islam.
The Three Categories of Horses
Scholars categorize horses based on intention: those kept for ostentation become burdens, those maintained for jihad with proper care become protection, and those dedicated to Muslim community benefit generate continuous rewards through their sustenance and movements.
This distinction highlights Islam's emphasis on intention (niyyah) in all matters of worship and worldly affairs.
Divine Justice in Small Matters
The reference to Qur'an 99:7 regarding asses teaches that even without specific revelation about particular animals, the general principle of divine justice applies - every atom's weight of good or evil will be accounted for on Judgment Day.