wheat, barley, hulless barley, and ‘alas (a variety of wheat), according to the view that ‘alas is grouped with them; pulses, which constitute a single category for zakat despite their differences; and a date-palm grove containing different varieties of dates. The rule is that the prescribed tenth or twentieth is taken from each variety, whether its quantity is small or large. However, if the grove contains many varieties, dates of middling quality are taken to discharge the obligation on them all. The owner is not required to give the finest, nor does giving the poorest discharge his obligation, for Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says:

“Do not choose inferior things to give away.” [Al-Baqara: 267]

It has also been said that dates of middling quality are taken even if the grove’s entire yield is of high quality or entirely of poor quality, by analogy with livestock. This is the apparent meaning of Mālik’s statement in al-Muwatta’, but it is a far-fetched and anomalous view.

Section

If he wishes to discharge what he owes on one variety by giving an equivalent volume of another, he may give a superior variety, but not an inferior one. If he wishes to make the substitution according to value, this is impermissible where exchange in unequal quantities is prohibited, but permissible where such exchange is allowed. This applies to pulses according to the view that they constitute different categories for sale. It is also permissible according to the view that someone who owes grain discharges his obligation by giving money or goods instead.

As for those measured by weight, these are monetary assets consisting of gold and silver, whether of high or low quality. Here too, the rule is to give one-fortieth of the gold and one-fortieth of the silver, one-fortieth of the high-quality portion and one-fortieth of the low-quality portion. Silver may be given in place of gold. According to one view, it is given at its equivalent value, whatever that may be; this is Mālik’s position in al-Mudawwana. According to another view, the exchange rate must not fall below ten dirhams per dinar; this is Ibn Habīb’s position. A further view is that it must be given at a rate of ten dirhams per dinar. Likewise, gold may be given in place of silver. It has also been said that this is impermissible unless there is some benefit in doing so, as in the case of an indebted person who owes a dinar, or a similar case.

As for those counted individually—sheep and goats, Khurasanian and Arabian camels, and cattle, including buffalo and other cattle—when any of these are combined for zakat, it is not possible to take