Chapter: Zakah on Livestock

The author begins with this, following the example of the hadith of Anas ibn Malik—may Allah be pleased with him—concerning the document that Abu Bakr—may Allah be pleased with him—wrote, in which he explained the prescribed alms. In it, he mentioned livestock first.

His statement, “livestock,” refers to camels, cattle, and sheep. Allah, Exalted is He, says: “All grazing livestock have been made lawful for you.” [al-Ma'idah 5:1]

They are called bahimah because they do not speak. The word is derived from ibham, meaning concealment and lack of clarity. Yet they do communicate with one another in a manner known to them. Thus, camels yearn for their young and go to them; when they are rebuked, they desist. The same is true of the rest of the animals. When Pharaoh asked Moses—peace be upon him—“And who is the Lord of you two, O Moses?” [Ta-Ha 20:49], he replied: “Our Lord is He Who gave everything its form, then guided it.” [Ta-Ha 20:50] That is, He gave every creature the form suited to it, then guided it to what serves its welfare. Thus, everything Allah has created is guided to what benefits it: it eats what suits it and drinks what suits it. Everything has what is appropriate to it.

Livestock consists of three categories: camels, cattle, and sheep.

Camels include both Arabian camels and Bactrian camels, which have two humps and are well known in Asia.

Cattle likewise include ordinary cattle and buffaloes.

Sheep include goats and wool-bearing sheep. Gazelles are not included, because they are not originally of the sheep kind; therefore, they are not included in the zakah on free-grazing livestock.