Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "When the people withheld zakat, I intended to fight them." It was said: "Did not the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say that whoever says 'La ilaha illallah' (there is no god but Allah), his wealth and blood are protected?" He replied: "Zakat is also a due right. If they withhold even a rope which they used to give to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), I will fight them for it."