It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Rafi’ (may Allah be pleased with him) that once Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) or his son passed by me. They had been appointed for the collection of zakat. They invited me to go with them. I presented myself before the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and asked him about this. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: O Abu Rafi’! Zakat is forbidden for Muhammad and the family of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and the freed slave of a people is counted among them.