If, however, the herd is a mixture of large and small animals, sound and defective ones, or males and females, a large, sound female is taken whose value is proportionate to the combined value of the two groups. The stock is first appraised as though it were entirely large animals and the zakat due on that appraisal is determined; it is then appraised as though it were entirely small animals, after which the required amount is taken in fair proportion. The same method applies to the other categories—sound and defective, or male and female. Thus, if the value of the zakat animal, when the nisab is formed of large, sound animals, is 20, and its value when the nisab is composed of small, sickly animals is 10, half is taken from the one and half from the other, meaning the equivalent of 15.

Among the discussions related to zakat on livestock is understanding the ruling on commingling, when the total number of jointly grazed animals is owned by two or more persons.

Commingling is of two kinds:

1. Commingling of property (khalṭat al-aʿyān): the herd itself is jointly owned in common, with no portion set apart for either partner—for example, one of them owns half, a quarter, and so forth.

2. Commingling by proximity (khalṭat al-awṣāf): each owner’s share is distinct and known, but their animals mingle and graze together.

Both forms of commingling affect zakat—sometimes making it obligatory or dropping it, and sometimes increasing or decreasing the amount.

With either type, the two herds are treated as a single herd for zakat purposes provided certain conditions are met:

First: the combined number must reach the nisab. If, when combined, it is less than the nisab, nothing is due. What matters is that the total reaches the nisab, even though each owner’s individual share falls short of it.