Consequences of Not Paying Zakat in Islam

Here are some of the outcomes of not paying Zakat.

Losing one’s wealth

Imam Sadiq (AS) said no wealth and property is lost in the sea or on the land except for failing to pay the Zakat of that wealth.

Imam Sadiq (AS) also said: “Ensure your wealth by paying Zakat and if after paying Zakat you lose part of your wealth I’ll guarantee (its return).”

Double loss

According to Hadiths, if someone fails to pat Zakat and does not spend his money on the right path, he will spend twice as much on the path of falsehood.

Spending on path of villains

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said one who refuses to willingly spend his money on the path of the virtuous will be forced to spend it on the path of villains reluctantly.

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Being deprived of the opportunity to repair religious sites

The Holy Quran says: “Only those who believe in God, the Day of Judgment, perform their prayers, pay the religious tax, and have fear of God alone have the right to establish and patronize the mosque of God so that perhaps they will have the right guidance.” (Verse 18 of Surah At-Tawbah)

Losing blessings of earth

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said that when Zakat is not paid, the earth will keep its blessings from people.

Also, Imam Baqir (AS) said if Zakat is not paid, blessing would be removed from farming, fruits and mines.

Sign of Nifaq (hypocrisy)

Verse 67 of Surah At-Tawbah depicts the characteristics of the hypocrite:

“Be they male or female hypocrites, they are the same. They make others commit sins, prevent them from doing good deeds, and restrain their hands (from spending for the cause of God). They have forgotten all about God who also has ignored them. The hypocrites indeed are evil-doers.”

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Rejection of prayers and other acts of worship

According to Hadiths, all actions (acts of worship) are accepted (by God) if one’s Salah is accepted, and one’s Salah is accepted if he pays Zakat.

Imam Reza (AS) said God has place Salah and Zakat together and Salah will not be accepted without Zakat.

Prophet Moses (AS) saw a young man performing Salah. How beautifully he performs Salah, Moses (AS) said. He was told (by God), however, that the young man’s Salah is not accepted because he is stingy and does not pay Zakat.

Being equal to usurer

Imam Ali (AS) said one who fails to pay Zakat is similar to a usurer.

Refusing to pay Zakat is also like theft. According to Hadiths, there are three kinds of thieves, one of them being a person who does not pay Zakat.