As for grapes that can be made into raisins but which he harvests before they become raisins, he must undoubtedly pay in raisins. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to send his zakat collectors to estimate the yield of date palms and grapevines and require their owners to pay the zakat due in dried fruit, even though the owners ate much of their fruit fresh. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would instruct those estimating the yield to leave one-third or one-quarter for the owners, on which no tithe was to be collected. He would say:

“When you estimate the yield, leave one-third; if you do not leave one-third, then leave one-quarter.” In another narration: “For the produce includes a share for gifts of palm fruit, visiting guests, and wayfarers.”

This means that the owner voluntarily gives others the fruit of certain date palms to eat. He also feeds guests who visit his orchard, as well as wayfarers—that is, travellers. This deduction is the position of Imam Ahmad and other hadith-oriented jurists. Scholars disagree concerning this issue, as they do concerning the first issue. As for the second, I know of no disagreement concerning it, for the entitlement of zakat beneficiaries is not forfeited merely because the owner chooses to harvest the fruit fresh, if it can be dried.

However, if he sells his grapes or fresh dates after they have begun to ripen, Ahmad explicitly stated that, in this case, paying one-tenth of the sale price discharges his obligation; he need not pay in grapes or raisins. There is disagreement within his school concerning payment of the equivalent value. His numerous recorded statements indicate that he permits this when there is a need, but not otherwise. The position commonly held by many of his followers is that it is impermissible without exception, while a view permitting it without restriction has also been extrapolated from his statements. His explicit statements, however, distinguish between the two circumstances.