Second condition: both partners must be of those upon whom zakat is obligatory. If one of them is not liable for zakat, the commingling is of no consequence and each share is assessed separately.

Third condition: the two herds must share the same marāḥ (the night fold and shelter), the same masraḥ (the spot where the animals assemble before setting out to pasture), and the same maḥlab (milking place). Thus, if one partner milks his animals in one place while the other milks in another, the commingling is disregarded. They must also share a single breeding male, so that the herd is serviced by one sire rather than each share having its own. Finally, they must graze together in a single pasture; if one portion grazes in a location different from that of its co-owner, the commingling is not taken into account.

When these conditions are fulfilled, the two commingled holdings are treated as one, in accordance with the Prophet’s ﷺ statement: “Do not join together what is separate, nor separate what is joined, in order to evade the alms-due; and whatever belongs to two partners, they must settle between themselves on an equal basis.” Reported by al-Tirmidhi, Abū Dāwūd, and Ibn Mājah, and al-Tirmidhi declared it sound (ḥasan).