Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) appointed a man from the Azd tribe, named Ibn al-Lutbiyyah, to collect Zakah. After returning from his mission, he said that some of the money with him belonged to the Muslims, while another part was gifted to him. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) stood up and ascended the pulpit in order to teach the people and warn them against such an act. Having praised Allah and extolled Him, he said: I employ a man from amongst you to do a job, as part of the authority in which Allah has put me – like the Zakah and spoils – and he comes from his work and says: This is for you, and this is a gift that was given to me. Why did he not remain in his father’s or mother’s house and see whether gifts would be given to him, if he is telling the truth? By Allah! If anyone of you, O workers and employees, takes anything wrongfully from the things given to him as part of his work, he will certainly meet Allah, the Almighty, carrying it around his neck on the Day of Judgment, be it a grunting camel, a bellowing cow, or a bleating ewe. Then, he raised his hands so high that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with him) could see the whiteness of his armpits and said: O Allah, Have I not conveyed the message? He repeated it three times.