Traditional reports of Abu Zar regarding properties
As for what Abu Zar has narrated from the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.)
regarding properties is having no similarity with socialism. Some of the reports
are as follows:
1. There is no Muslim, who spends two things in the path of Allah, the
Mighty and Sublime, except that the sentries of Paradise come to welcome him
and each of them call to what is with them. I asked: “How is that possible?” He
replied: “If what he spends is a slave, he would spend two men and if it is a
camel, he spends two camels and if it is cow, he spends two cows.”1
In this report, as opposed to actual socialism, property is proved for every
person and people are encouraged to give away in the way of God from every
animal one male and one female as a recommended charity.
2. Camel, has a particular Zakat tax; and sheep and cows have particular
Zakat tax and righteousness has its own tax.
3. There is no one, who dies leaving behind sheep, camels or cows, whose
Zakat he has not paid, but that those quadrupeds would on Judgment Day come
in enlarged form to kick him and hit him with their horns.2
This report proves ownership and shows what is obligatory to be paid from
the wealth is only Zakat, which is to be paid on specific things in a specific
quantum and the rest is for the owners, whether socialism agrees to it or is
infuriated.
4. Three persons are deserving of hatred of God: An old man who commits
adultery; an arrogant, poor man; and a self sufficient person, who oppresses.
In another version, it is mentioned: Indeed, the aged fornicator, an arrogant,
poor man and the wealthy man, who is miserly, are hated by Almighty Allah.
It is mentioned in another version that: Indeed, Almighty Allah does not like
every arrogant one, miserly petitioner and the trader, who swears in excess.3
In these reports, there are difference of class of people, whereas socialists
believe that people are equal with regard to wealth.
5. My friend commanded me seven things: He ordered me to love the needy, and to get close to them, and he ordered me to look at those, who were poorer
than me and that I should not look at those more well off than me…4
There is no doubt that the tradition implies that one should look at those in
the lowest rank and thank Allah, the Mighty and the High for having given him
precedence over them, and not to observe those higher so that he becomes
distressed, because of precedence over him, and it should not restrain him from
remembrance, thankfulness and joy.
In deeds, worship acts, superior qualities, it is preferable that man should
look at those above him in rank so that he may experience joy due to performing
such acts and achieves its end; and not to look at those lower to him in economic
status that his deeds may become weak and he may keep away from good acts
and generosity and finally pride and arrogance surrounds him.
In this tradition, as opposed to communist view, personal wealth and
precedence to a person with relation to one another is proved.
These were some traditional reports of Abu Zar, who was truthful and
verified, and clearly contradicts that he expressed disapproval for what they have
blamed him for and these reports are nothing, except call of Quran and what Holy
Prophet (s.a.w.a.) made evident.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ ٱلْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُۥٓ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمْ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ (١٨)
“Those who listen to the word, then follow the best of it; those
are they whom Allah has guided, and those it is who are the men
of understanding.”5
فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌۭ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَـٰبَهَ مِنْهُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ ٱلْفِتْنَةِ وَٱبْتِغَآءَ تَأْوِيلِهِۦ
“Then as for those in whose hearts there is perversity they
follow the part of it which is allegorical, seeking to mislead and
seeking to give it (their own) interpretation.”6