in either case, because he stipulated that the intention to trade must coincide with acquiring ownership.

Trade goods are appraised at the completion of the lunar year according to whichever valuation—in gold or silver—is more advantageous to the poor.

His statement, “They are appraised at the completion of the lunar year according to whichever valuation—in gold or silver—is more advantageous to the poor”: “They are appraised” refers to trade goods. The author did not specify who is to appraise them. Their owner should appraise them if he is experienced in pricing; otherwise, he should seek someone knowledgeable and experienced in valuation to appraise them for him.

If someone were to ask, “How can we trust him if he is experienced?” we would reply: This is an act of worship, and a person is entrusted with respect to his worship. Just as when an ill person says, “I am unable to use water, and I wish to perform tayammum (dry ablution),” we do not require that a doctor be brought to examine him and determine whether he is able to use it or not.

Zakah is likewise. If a man says, “I know the value of things,” and he has experience, we say to him, “You should appraise them yourself.” But if he says, “I do not know,” we tell him, “Bring someone to appraise them for you.”

His statement, “at the completion of the lunar year,” means when the lunar year has fully elapsed, because that is the time at which zakah becomes due. It should not be assessed before then, nor delayed beyond then for a period during which prices may change, since this would diminish the due right if the price falls, or increase it if the price rises.

Should the appraisal be based on wholesale prices or retail prices, since prices differ between wholesale and retail?

The answer is that if he sells wholesale, it is assessed according to wholesale prices; if he sells retail, it is assessed according to retail prices; and if he sells both, then it is assessed according to the type of sale that predominates.