wealth. Thus, when it is collected by the person authorized to collect it, it discharges his obligation, just as zakat taken from the wealth of a child or an insane person discharges their obligation, even though neither can form a valid intention in that state.

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The Quran commands zakat only in unelaborated and general terms. Unelaborated wording is that whose intended meaning cannot be understood from the wording alone and requires clarification from elsewhere. An example is His saying, Most High:

“Give its due on the day of its harvest.” [al-Anʿām: 141]

Neither the nature nor the amount of this due can be understood from these words, and the command cannot be fulfilled until it has been clarified. When wording of this kind occurs, one must acknowledge the obligation of whatever is intended by it until clarification comes.

General wording is that which apparently encompasses an entire class. Its command must therefore be fulfilled according to its general scope until something comes to restrict it. An example is His saying, Most High:

“Take from their wealth a charity by which you cleanse and purify them.” [al-Tawbah: 103]

Other similar passages are of the same kind. The apparent meaning of His words, Most High, “from their wealth” [al-Nisāʾ: 34], is that zakat is taken from all categories of wealth, whether little or much, since He did not single out any of these to the exclusion of others. His words, Most High, “a charity by which you cleanse and purify them” [al-Tawbah: 103], are unelaborated wording requiring clarification, since the wording itself does not indicate the amount of charity by which cleansing and purification are achieved. The verse thus contains unequivocal wording that admits no alternative interpretation, general wording that admits interpretation, and unelaborated wording requiring clarification and explanation. It is unequivocal regarding collection and the fact that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is commanded to undertake it; general regarding the wealth concerned; and unelaborated regarding the amount.

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There is disagreement concerning Allah’s words, Mighty and Majestic:

“Establish prayer and give zakat.” [al-Baqarah: 43]

And His saying, Most High:

“And those who give zakat.” [al-Muʾminūn: 4]

The disagreement concerns whether these and similar formulations are unelaborated and require clarification, or general and must be understood according to their general scope until something comes to restrict them. The sounder view is that they are unelaborated and require clarification.