Abu Dharr reported the Prophet as saying, “If any man has camels, cattle, or sheep on which he does not pay what is due, they will be produced as large and fat as can be on the day of resurrection and will trample him with their hoofs and gore him with their horns. As often as the last of them pass him the first of them will be brought back to him until judgment is pronounced among mankind.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)
Hadith Text & Reference
Abu Dharr reported the Prophet as saying, "If any man has camels, cattle, or sheep on which he does not pay what is due, they will be produced as large and fat as can be on the day of resurrection and will trample him with their hoofs and gore him with their horns. As often as the last of them pass him the first of them will be brought back to him until judgment is pronounced among mankind." (Bukhari and Muslim.)
Reference: Mishkat al-Masabih 1775
The Nature of Zakat Obligation
This hadith establishes that Zakat is not merely a recommended charity but a fundamental obligation (fard) upon wealth that reaches the nisab (minimum threshold) and remains in possession for one lunar year. The severe punishment described indicates the gravity of neglecting this pillar of Islam.
The specification of camels, cattle, and sheep represents the primary forms of wealth in the Arabian context, but scholars extend this ruling to all forms of wealth subject to Zakat, including gold, silver, merchandise, and modern financial assets.
Symbolism of the Punishment
The transformation of the animals into "large and fat" creatures signifies how neglected Zakat multiplies the sin. What was withheld from Allah's right returns as intensified punishment.
The trampling and goring represent the physical manifestation of spiritual negligence - the very wealth that should have purified one's soul becomes the instrument of divine chastisement.
The cyclical nature of the punishment ("as often as the last of them pass him the first of them will be brought back") indicates the continuous and inescapable nature of the accountability for this specific transgression.
Juridical Implications
This hadith establishes that Zakat is a right (haqq) owed by the wealth itself, not merely a personal obligation. The wealth carries this divine claim until properly discharged.
Scholars deduce that intentional neglect of Zakat constitutes major sin (kabirah) requiring sincere repentance (tawbah) and immediate payment of overdue Zakat.
The punishment's duration ("until judgment is pronounced among mankind") indicates this is part of the intermediate realm (barzakh) punishments that occur before the final judgment.
Spiritual Lessons
Wealth is a trust (amanah) from Allah, and Zakat represents the recognition that all provision ultimately belongs to Him.
The purification (tazkiyah) function of Zakat extends beyond the wealth to the owner's soul - neglecting it corrupts both the wealth and the soul.
This vivid imagery serves as a powerful deterrent and reminder of the ultimate accountability for our financial dealings in this world.