of a Muslim’s orchard to determine the zakat due on it. This is the position of Mālik and a number of other scholars. The reports, however, do not support it; rather, they indicate the contrary: the assessment concerned the division between them and the Muslims, so that they would guarantee the Muslims’ share according to the estimate made against them.
It is related that Jābir ibn Abd Allāh said: “Allah granted Khaybar to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, as spoils. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, left its inhabitants as they were and arranged for its yield to be shared between himself and them. He sent Abd Allāh ibn Rawāhah, who assessed its yield and then said: ‘O Jews, you are the most hateful of Allah’s creation to me: you killed Allah’s prophets and spoke lies about Allah. Yet my hatred of you will not lead me to wrong you. I have assessed the yield at twenty thousand wasqs of dates. If you wish, it is yours; and if you wish, it is mine.’”
He meant—and Allah knows best—after the zakat had been taken from the whole yield, because zakat under orchard sharecropping is assessed with reference to the orchard owner’s ownership, not the worker’s or their joint ownership.
It is also related that Abd Allāh ibn Umar said: “Abd Allāh ibn Rawāhah assessed its yield for them, and they complained vehemently to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, about his assessment. Abd Allāh ibn Rawāhah told them: ‘The choice is yours. If you wish, it is yours; and if you wish, it is ours at the assessed amount, and we shall deliver half of it to you.’ He said: ‘It is by this that the heavens and the earth stand.’”
Mālik, may Allah have mercy on him, related in his Muwatta, from Ibn Shihāb, from Sulaymān ibn Yasār: “The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to send Abd Allāh ibn Rawāhah to Khaybar to assess the yield between himself and the Jews of Khaybar. They gathered their women’s jewellery for him and said: ‘This is for you. Reduce our assessment and be lenient in the division.’ Abd Allāh ibn Rawāhah replied: ‘O Jews, by Allah, you are among the most hateful of Allah’s creation to me, yet that will not lead me to be lenient with you. As for the bribe you have offered, it is unlawful gain, and we do not consume it.’ They said: ‘It is by this that the heavens and the earth stand.’”
Thus, the statement in this hadith, “Reduce our assessment and be lenient in