Zakat on pasturing animals (saimah)
What makes an animal a pasturing animal (saimah), the minimum threshold (nisab) and rates for camels, cows and goats, and the rules that apply across all three.
Saimah animals are ones that graze out in the open for most of the year and are kept for their milk, for breeding, or to be fattened, not for meat, riding or carrying loads. Zakat is only due on three kinds of saimah animals: camels, cows (buffaloes count the same as cows), and goats (sheep, rams and lambs count as goats too).
Each of the three saimah animals has its own nisab (the smallest number that owes zakat) and its own set amount for each herd size, shown in the table below.
| Number of camels | Zakat due |
|---|---|
| 5 – 9 | 1 goat |
| 10 – 14 | 2 goats |
| 15 – 19 | 3 goats |
| 20 – 24 | 4 goats |
| 25 – 35 | 1 one-year-old she-camel |
| 36 – 45 | 2 two-year-old she-camels |
| 46 – 60 | 3 three-year-old she-camels |
| 61 – 75 | 4 four-year-old she-camels |
| 76 – 90 | 2 two-year-old she-camels |
| 91 – 120 | 3 three-year-old she-camels |
| 121 or more | A new calculation begins |
The goat given for the first four bands may be male or female, but must be a full year old (in its second year). “One-year-old”, “two-year-old” and so on for the she-camels likewise mean the animal has entered its second, third or later year. Numbers between two nisab levels (such as 6 to 9, or 11 to 14) add nothing further: up to 9 camels only one goat is due, up to 14 only two, and so on. Female camels should be given for zakat; if a male is given instead, its zakat value is calculated on the price of a female camel. The passage does not give the calculation that applies once camels reach 121 or more.
There is no zakat on fewer than 5 camels.
| Number of cows | Zakat due |
|---|---|
| 30 – 39 | 1 one-year-old calf |
| 40 – 59 | 1 two-year-old calf |
| 60 | 2 one-year-old calves |
| 70 (example) | 1 one-year-old calf and 1 two-year-old calf |
| 80 (example) | 2 two-year-old calves |
“One-year-old” means the animal has entered its second year. After sixty cows, every further group of ten is worked out from two units: for every 30 cows, one one-year-old calf; for every 40 cows, one two-year-old calf, combined so the units add up to the total herd. The source document's own worked example reads: “For example, in a herd of 70 camels, one one-year-old calf and one two-year-old calf are due, as the herd contains one basic and one double amount; in an 80-camel herd, two two-year-old calves are due, as it contains two basic amounts”, reproduced here exactly as printed even though the heading and the surrounding rules concern cows, not camels; see this batch's review notes. Buffaloes are treated exactly as cows, and where someone owns both, the two are counted together toward the nisab. There is flexibility in the zakat on cows and buffaloes: either a male or a female calf may be given. The number of cows between two nisab levels (such as 31 to 39, or 41 to 59) adds nothing further.
| Number of goats | Zakat due |
|---|---|
| 40 – 120 | 1 goat |
| 121 – 200 | 2 goats |
| 201 – 399 | 3 goats |
| 400 or more | 4 goats, plus 1 more goat for every further 100 |
The goat given must be a full year old. The source document states that numbers between two nisab levels add nothing further, giving 31 to 39 or 41 to 99 as its examples, reproduced here exactly as printed, though the goat nisab levels set out above are 40 and 121, not 40 and 100; see this batch's review notes. Sheep, rams and lambs are included in the category of goats for zakat, and there is no distinction between male and female goats.
Pasturing animals (saimah) are those that spend most of the year grazing in the wild and are kept for milk, breeding or fattening. Zakat is obligatory on only three kinds of saimah animals: camels, cows (buffaloes are treated the same as cattle for zakat), and goats.
123There is no zakat on fewer than 5 camels; from 5 upward, zakat is calculated as follows.
| Number of camels | Zakat due |
|---|---|
| 5 – 9 | 1 goat |
| 10 – 14 | 2 goats |
| 15 – 19 | 3 goats |
| 20 – 24 | 4 goats |
| 25 – 35 | 1 one-year-old she-camel |
| 36 – 45 | 2 two-year-old she-camels |
| 46 – 60 | 3 three-year-old she-camels |
| 61 – 75 | 4 four-year-old she-camels |
| 76 – 90 | 2 two-year-old she-camels |
| 91 – 120 | 3 three-year-old she-camels |
| 121 or more | A new calculation begins |
The goat given for the first four bands may be male or female, but must be a full year old (in its second year). “One-year-old”, “two-year-old” and so on for the she-camels likewise mean the animal has entered its second, third or later year. Numbers between two nisab levels (such as 6 to 9, or 11 to 14) add nothing further: up to 9 camels only one goat is due, up to 14 only two, and so on. Female camels should be given for zakat; if a male is given instead, its zakat value is calculated on the price of a female camel. The passage does not give the calculation that applies once camels reach 121 or more.
There is no zakat on fewer than 30 cows; from 30 upward, zakat is calculated as follows.
| Number of cows | Zakat due |
|---|---|
| 30 – 39 | 1 one-year-old calf |
| 40 – 59 | 1 two-year-old calf |
| 60 | 2 one-year-old calves |
| 70 (example) | 1 one-year-old calf and 1 two-year-old calf |
| 80 (example) | 2 two-year-old calves |
“One-year-old” means the animal has entered its second year. After sixty cows, every further group of ten is worked out from two units: for every 30 cows, one one-year-old calf; for every 40 cows, one two-year-old calf, combined so the units add up to the total herd. The source document's own worked example reads: “For example, in a herd of 70 camels, one one-year-old calf and one two-year-old calf are due, as the herd contains one basic and one double amount; in an 80-camel herd, two two-year-old calves are due, as it contains two basic amounts”, reproduced here exactly as printed even though the heading and the surrounding rules concern cows, not camels; see this batch's review notes. Buffaloes are treated exactly as cows, and where someone owns both, the two are counted together toward the nisab. There is flexibility in the zakat on cows and buffaloes: either a male or a female calf may be given. The number of cows between two nisab levels (such as 31 to 39, or 41 to 59) adds nothing further.
There is no zakat on fewer than 40 goats; from 40 upward, zakat is calculated as follows.
| Number of goats | Zakat due |
|---|---|
| 40 – 120 | 1 goat |
| 121 – 200 | 2 goats |
| 201 – 399 | 3 goats |
| 400 or more | 4 goats, plus 1 more goat for every further 100 |
The goat given must be a full year old. The source document states that numbers between two nisab levels add nothing further, giving 31 to 39 or 41 to 99 as its examples, reproduced here exactly as printed, though the goat nisab levels set out above are 40 and 121, not 40 and 100; see this batch's review notes. Sheep, rams and lambs are included in the category of goats for zakat, and there is no distinction between male and female goats.
Sāʾimah are animals that spend the greater part of the year grazing freely and are kept for milk, breeding or fattening. Zakāh is obligatory on exactly three species of sāʾimah: camels, cows (buffaloes carry the same ruling as cattle), and goats.
123Camels carry no Zakāh below five head; from five, the calculation runs as follows.
| Number of camels | Zakat due |
|---|---|
| 5 – 9 | 1 goat |
| 10 – 14 | 2 goats |
| 15 – 19 | 3 goats |
| 20 – 24 | 4 goats |
| 25 – 35 | 1 one-year-old she-camel |
| 36 – 45 | 2 two-year-old she-camels |
| 46 – 60 | 3 three-year-old she-camels |
| 61 – 75 | 4 four-year-old she-camels |
| 76 – 90 | 2 two-year-old she-camels |
| 91 – 120 | 3 three-year-old she-camels |
| 121 or more | A new calculation begins |
The goat given for the first four bands may be male or female, but must be a full year old (in its second year). “One-year-old”, “two-year-old” and so on for the she-camels likewise mean the animal has entered its second, third or later year. Numbers between two nisab levels (such as 6 to 9, or 11 to 14) add nothing further: up to 9 camels only one goat is due, up to 14 only two, and so on. Female camels should be given for zakat; if a male is given instead, its zakat value is calculated on the price of a female camel. The passage does not give the calculation that applies once camels reach 121 or more.
Cows carry no Zakāh below thirty head; from thirty, the calculation runs as follows.
| Number of cows | Zakat due |
|---|---|
| 30 – 39 | 1 one-year-old calf |
| 40 – 59 | 1 two-year-old calf |
| 60 | 2 one-year-old calves |
| 70 (example) | 1 one-year-old calf and 1 two-year-old calf |
| 80 (example) | 2 two-year-old calves |
“One-year-old” means the animal has entered its second year. After sixty cows, every further group of ten is worked out from two units: for every 30 cows, one one-year-old calf; for every 40 cows, one two-year-old calf, combined so the units add up to the total herd. The source document's own worked example reads: “For example, in a herd of 70 camels, one one-year-old calf and one two-year-old calf are due, as the herd contains one basic and one double amount; in an 80-camel herd, two two-year-old calves are due, as it contains two basic amounts”, reproduced here exactly as printed even though the heading and the surrounding rules concern cows, not camels; see this batch's review notes. Buffaloes are treated exactly as cows, and where someone owns both, the two are counted together toward the nisab. There is flexibility in the zakat on cows and buffaloes: either a male or a female calf may be given. The number of cows between two nisab levels (such as 31 to 39, or 41 to 59) adds nothing further.
Goats carry no Zakāh below forty head; from forty, the calculation runs as follows.
| Number of goats | Zakat due |
|---|---|
| 40 – 120 | 1 goat |
| 121 – 200 | 2 goats |
| 201 – 399 | 3 goats |
| 400 or more | 4 goats, plus 1 more goat for every further 100 |
The goat given must be a full year old. The source document states that numbers between two nisab levels add nothing further, giving 31 to 39 or 41 to 99 as its examples, reproduced here exactly as printed, though the goat nisab levels set out above are 40 and 121, not 40 and 100; see this batch's review notes. Sheep, rams and lambs are included in the category of goats for zakat, and there is no distinction between male and female goats.
This is the English translation of Nisab Ahle Khidmaat Sharia, exactly as the book has it, for the passages this page was written from. About 806 words. Switch back to Guide for the rewritten version.
Rulings of Zakat Rules for Zakat on Pasturing Animals
- Pasturing animals (Saimah) are those that spend most of the year grazing in the wild and are kept for the purpose of milk production, breeding, or fattening. If they graze for half of the year in the wild and are fed grass in the home for the other half [Whether sold at a price or given for free.], or if the purpose of keeping them is not milk production, breeding, or fattening (but for meat, riding, or carrying loads), then they are not considered Saimah animals, and Zakat will not be obligatory on them [The Zakat on business goods should be paid based on their price.].
- Zakat is obligatory only on the following three types of Saimah animals.
- Camels (2) Cows [Bison is considered the same as cattle regarding Zakat rules.] (3)Goats
(Important Note): Zakat is not obligatory on other animals, but if they are kept for trade purposes, then trade Zakat will be obligatory on them.
- If the intention to trade Saimah animals arises during the year, then Zakat will not be obligatory for that year. Instead, the trade year will begin from the date the intention is made.
Rulings of Zakat Zakat on Camels
The Nisab for camels is five. Zakat is obligatory on five camels, and no Zakat is due on fewer than five. The Zakat for camels is calculated as follows:
5 camels: 1 goat [Whether male or female, but they should be one year old, i.e., when the second year has started.]
10 camels: 2 goats
15 camels: 3 goats
20 camels: 4 goats
25 camels: 1 one-year-old she-camel [A full year is meant, meaning when the second year starts, and similarly, a two-year-old means the second year has started, and so on.]
36 camels: 2 two-year-old she-camels
46 camels: 3 three-year-old she-camels
61 camels: 4 four-year-old she-camels
76 camels: 2 two-year-old she-camels
91 camels: 3 three-year-old she-camels
When the total number of camels reaches 121, a new calculation begins.
Rulings of Zakat Note
- The number of camels between two Nisab values (such as between 6 and 9, or 11 and 14) are exempt from Zakat [For up to 9 camels, only one sheep is due, and for up to 14 camels, two sheep are due, and so on.].
- For Zakat, female camels should be given, and if males are given, the Zakat should be calculated based on the price of a female camel.
Rulings of Zakat Zakat on Cows
The Nisab for cows is thirty, meaning Zakat is obligatory on thirty cows. Zakat is not obligatory on fewer than thirty, and the calculation for Zakat is as follows:
30 cows: 1 one-year-old [One-year-old means the second year has started.] calf [Whether it's a calf.]
40 cows: 1 two-year-old calf
60 cows: 2 one-year-old calves
After sixty cows, every additional group of ten cows will be calculated as follows:
For every 30 cows, 1 one-year-old calf is due as Zakat.
For every 40 cows, 1 two-year-old calf is due as Zakat [For example, in a herd of 70 camels, one one-year-old calf and one two-year-old calf are due, as the herd contains one basic and one double amount; in an 80-camel herd, two two-year-old calves are due, as it contains two basic amounts.].
Rulings of Zakat Important Notes
1. The number of cows between two Nisab values (e.g., between 31 and 39, or 41 and 59 [According to Imam Azam’s view, if the number exceeds 40, the Zakat is applied according to this method, meaning one fortieth of the value for one extra camel, two fortieths for two extra camels, and so on. However, according to the opinion followed, no Zakat is due on camels from 41 to 59.]) is exempt from Zakat.
2. Buffaloes are treated the same as cows in terms of Zakat. If someone has both cows and buffaloes, the total number will be considered together to reach the Nisab.
3. There is flexibility in the Zakat on cows and buffaloes; whether male or female calves are given as Zakat is permissible.
Rulings of Zakat Zakat on Goats
The Nisab for goats is forty, meaning Zakat is obligatory on forty goats. Zakat is not obligatory on fewer than forty, and the calculation for Zakat is as follows:
40 goats: 1 goat [It should be a full year.]
121 goats: 2 goats
201 goats: 3 goats
400 goats: 4 goats
After four hundred goats, every additional group of one hundred goats will be calculated as follows:
For every 100 goats, 1 goat is due as Zakat.
Rulings of Zakat Important Notes
1. The number of goats between two Nisab values (e.g., between 31 and 39, or 41 and 99) is exempt from Zakat.
2. Sheep, rams, and lambs are included in the category of goats [If two camels or other livestock together make the threshold, you can combine their Zakat if they are a year old.].
3. There is no distinction between male and female goats for Zakat [The condition is that the period should not be less than a year.].
Terms on this page
Related
- Miscellaneous rules of zakat The age of a zakat animal, why herds of different animals cannot be combined, and the option to pay zakat in cash or in kind.
- The ruling on zakat, and when it becomes obligatory Who zakat is obligatory on, what denying it means, and the eight conditions that must all be met before zakat is due.
- Zakat on trade goods How the minimum threshold (nisab) and value of stock-in-trade are worked out, and when profit and rented items are or are not liable to zakat.
- Zakat on gold and silver The minimum threshold (nisab) and rate for gold and silver, what happens above it, and the rules for mixed metals, currency and combined holdings.