was the firmest of all the Companions, the one most entitled to the caliphate, and their most decisive and judicious leader. Thus one sees the difference between a person who stands firm, surveys matters from afar, and probes their depths, and another who is zealous yet refuses to rush, for haste can expose one to danger.
The key ruling drawn from this hadith, the very point for which al-Nawawi—may Allah have mercy on him—placed it in this chapter of Riyâd al-Ṣâliḥîn, is that if someone refuses to pay zakah, the Imam is obliged to fight him until he pays it. Allah is the One who grants success.
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Abu Ayyub (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a man said to the Prophet ﷺ, “Tell me of a deed that will admit me to Paradise.” He replied, “Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, establish the prayer, pay the zakah, and maintain ties of kinship.” Agreed upon.
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Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A Bedouin came to the Prophet ﷺ and said, “Messenger of Allah, guide me to an act which, if I do it, will cause me to enter Paradise.” He answered, “Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, establish the prayer, pay the obligatory zakah, and fast Ramadan.” The man said, “By Him in whose hand is my soul, I will add nothing to this.” When he turned away, the Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever wants to look at a man of Paradise, let him look at this one.” Agreed upon.