Sahabah Story OverPayement of ZAKAAT

Sahabah over paying Zakat 

OverPayement of Zakat : 

Ubai-bin-Kaab (Radhiallaho anho) says:

"The Prophet(PBUH) once deputd me to collect Zakat dues from a locality. I went to a person there, and asked about the details of his possessions. A baby camel one year old was due from him in Zakat. When he heared of it, he exclaimed,'Of what use is a baby camel one year old ? You can neither milk it, nor ride it. Here is a fine grown-up she-camel. You had better take this instead.' I replied,'My commission does not permit me to take more than what is actually due from you. I, therefore, cannot accept what you offer. The Prophet(PBUH) is visiting this locality, and tonighy he will be campng at a place not very far from here. You had better ga and place your offer before him. If he does not object. I would gladly accept your offer, otherwise you shall have to give me exactly what is due from you.' Thereupon I took the she-camel to the Prophet (PBUH) and besought him thus: 'O,Prophet of ALLAH ! Your deputy came to receive Zakat from me. By ALLAH ! before this time I have never had the honour of paying anything to the Prophet (PBUH) or his deputy. I therefore placed everything that i possessed before him. He decided that a baby  camel one year old was due from me. Now, O Prophet of ALLAH ! This baby camel is of no use. It can neither yield milk nor carry load, I, therefore refused him to accept a fine grown-up she-camel in-stead, Which he refused to accept without your permission, I have now come to you with the she-camel. The Prophet (PBUH) observed,'No doubt only that much is due from you which he has worked out, but if you are willing to give more than that of your own accord, it would be accepted.' I then presented the she-camel to the Prophet (PBUH) which he accordingly accepted and sought ALLAH'S blessings for the donor."

Look, with what magnanimity of heart the Sahabah parted with their best things for the sake of ALLAH. On the other hand, we too claim to be the true followers of Islam and ardent devotees of the Prophet(PBUH) but leaving apart the bestowing of alms in general to the poor and the needy, we are most reluctant to pay the actual abligatory dues. Zakaat as a pillar of Islam, is not even known to our upper classes. Of the middle only the religiously conscious strata keep up a form of paying  Zakaat, in as much that even the expenditure incurred on their own relative and acquaintances, and all other charitable donations squeezed out of them by the force of
circumstances and face savings are debited to this account.