The Creed of Compassion-Islamic Teachings & Answering Doctrinal Misconceptions

Issue No. 1635- As an obligatory precaution, the sheep which is given as zakāt should have completed the first year of its life, and the goat should have completed the second year of its life.

Issue No. 1630- Cows have two taxable limits:The first taxable limit is 30 cows. If the number of cows owned by a person reaches 30, and if other conditions mentioned earlier are also fulfilled, he should give as zakāt a calf, either male or female, which has entered at least the second year of its life.The second taxable limit is 40, and its zakāt is a female calf, which has entered at least the 3rd year of its life. There is no zakāt payable when the number of the cows is between 30 and 40. For example, if a person possesses 35 cows, he should pay zakāt on 30 cows only. Furthermore, if he possesses more than 40 cows but their number does not reach 60, he should pay zakāt on 40 cows only. In case their number reaches 60, he should give as zakāt 2 calves, which have entered the second year of their lives. Similarly, as the number of cows increases, he should calculate either in thirties or in forties or from both 30 and 40 (in possible cases), and should pay zakāt in accordance with the rule explained above. However, he should calculate in such a way that there should be no remainder, or if there is a remainder, it should not exceed nine. For example, if he has 70 cows, he should calculate in 30 and 40 and pay the prescribed zakāt of each one, and the person who has 80 cows, he should pay two calves as prescribed above as zakāt.

Issue No. 1637- If some persons are partners, the one whose share reaches the taxable limit should pay zakāt.

Issue No. 1631- Camels have 12 taxable limits:1) 5 camels, and the zakāt on them is one sheep. As long as the number of camels does not reach five, no zakāt is payable on them.2) 10 camels, and the zakāt on them is two sheep.3) 15 camels, and the zakāt on them is three sheep.4) 20 camels, and the zakāt on them is four sheep.5) 25 camels, and the zakāt on them is five sheep. 6) 26 camels, and the zakāt on them is a camel, which has entered the second year of its life.7) 36 camels, and the zakāt on them is a camel, which has entered the third year of its life.8) 46 camels, and the zakāt on them is a camel, which has entered the fourth year of its life.9) 61 camels, and the zakāt on them is a camel, which has entered the fifth year of its life.10) 76 camels, and the zakāt on them is two camels, which have entered the third year of their life.11) 91 camels, and the zakāt on them is two camels, which have entered the fourth year of their life.12) 121 camels or more. In this case, the person concerned should either calculate the camels by 40, and for each set of forty camels, give a camel which has entered the third year of its life, or calculate them by 50 and give as zakāt for every 50 camels, a camel which has entered the fourth year of its life, or he may calculate them by both 40 and 50. However, in every case he should calculate in such a way that there should be no remainder and even if there is remainder, it should not exceed nine. The camel to be given by way of zakāt should be a female.

Issue No. 1638- If a person has sheep, cows and camels at a number of places, but altogether they reach the taxable limit, he should pay zakāt on them. Zakāt should be paid even if the cows, sheep and camels are unhealthy and defective.

Issue No. 1639- If all sheep, cows and camels are healthy and young, he cannot pay their zakāt from unhealthy, defective and old ones. Rather, if some of them are healthy, and others are unhealthy, some are defective and others are not, and some are old and others are young, the obligatory precaution is that he should give as zakāt those animals, which are healthy, without defect and young. However, if all of them are unhealthy, defective and old, he can pay zakāt from amongst them.

Issue No. 1640- If a person, who is required to pay zakāt on these animals, gives that zakāt from some other property owned by him he should pay zakāt on the animals every year until their number becomes less than the taxable limit. In case he gives zakāt out of those very animals and they become less than the first taxable limit, payment of zakāt is not obligatory on him. If before the 11th month, he exchanges his animals with something else, payment of zakāt is not obligatory on him; but if he changes those animals with other cows, sheep, and camels, for example, he gives 40 sheep and takes 40 other sheep, he should, as an obligatory precaution, pay zakāt on them.

Issue No. 1642- The obligatory precaution is that a poor and destitute person should not take zakāt more than his expenses and those whose maintenance is obligatory on him. In case he has deficit for the expenses he should only receive enough zakāt to compensate the deficit for a year.

Issue No. 1643- An artisan, or a labourer whose income is less than his expenses for one year can take zakāt to meet his annual shortfall, and it is not necessary for him to sell off his tools, property, or spend his capital in order to meet his expenses.

Issue No. 1644- A poor person may receive zakāt to purchase a necessary means of transport, a house which he needs, and to provide the necessary capital for his work and trade. In this respect, he should content himself with the amount by which he may meet his needs and maintain his honour.

Issue No. 1645- A person who is able to sustain his life by becoming experienced or skilled should do so in order that he does not end up depending on zakāt. However, he can receive zakāt as long as he is in the process of learning.

Issue No. 1646- People who are involved in acquiring obligatory knowledge may benefit from zakāt. This rule also applies to judges and the executors of [religious] penalties, etc.