Hadithcore
Riyad as-Salihin, 1210

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) passed away, Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) was appointed as his successor (caliph). Amongst the Arabs some men apostatised. Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) resolved to fight them. 'Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) said to Abu Bakr: "How can you fight them when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) has declared: 'I have been commanded to fight people till they testify La ilaha illallah (there is no true god except Allah); and if they do it, their blood (life) and property are secured except when justified by law, and it is for Allah to call them to account." Upon this Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "By Allah, I would definitely fight him who makes distinction between Salat and the Zakat, because it is an obligation upon the rich to pay Zakat. By Allah I will fight them even to secure the piece of rope which they used to give to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)." 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "I realized that Allah opened the heart of Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) for fighting those who refused to pay Zakat, and I fully recognized that Abu Bakr

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، قال‏:‏ لما توفي رسول الله، وكان أبو بكر، رضي الله عنه، وكفر من كفر من العرب، فقال عمر رضي الله عنه‏:‏ كيف يقاتل الناس وقد قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏

‏أمرت أن أقاتل الناس حتى يقولوا لا إله إلا الله، فمن قالها، فقد عصم مني ماله ونفسه إلا بحقه وحسابه على الله‏

‏ ‏؟‏‏!‏ فقال أبو بكر‏:‏ والله لأقاتلن من فرق بين الصلاة والزكاة، فإن الزكاة حق المال‏.‏ والله لو منعوني عقال كانوا يؤدونه إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، لقاتلتهم على منعه، قال‏:‏ عمر رضي الله عنه‏:‏ فوالله ما هو إلا أن رأيت الله قد شرح صدر أبي بكر للقتال، فعرفت أنه الحق‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏

References1 variant
In-Book Reference
Book 8, Hadith 220
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
<b>Guidance from the Hadith:</b><br> 1) It shows the merit of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), who took this great stance in defense of the due right of Zakah.<br> 2) Fighting those who refused to pay Zakah was done by consensus among the Companions, as they were all present and gave their support.<br> <br> <br> <br> <b>Words in the Hadith:</b><br> Rope: The rope mentioned here is the cord used to tie a camel.
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