Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … First, we present other hadiths related to the zakat of honey: Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr bin al-As radi Allahu anhu narrates that Sayyiduna Hilal radi Allahu anhu presented one-tenth of his honey to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam (as zakat). In fact, he had requested the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam that the valley named "Salabah" be reserved for him. Thus, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam designated that valley specifically for him. When the caliphate of Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu began, Sufyan bin Wahb wrote a letter to Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu to inquire about this issue. Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu replied: If they continue to give the one-tenth of honey as zakat to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam as they used to, then keep that valley reserved for them; otherwise, this is honey produced due to rain, and whoever wishes may consume it. (Abu Dawud: 1600, Nasa'i: 2499, Ibn Majah: 1824)

In the narration of Sunan Abu Dawud (1601), it is mentioned: (After the reply of Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu) those people continued to pay zakat in the same manner as they used to give to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, therefore Sufyan bin Wahb reserved two valleys for them. It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar radi Allahu anhuma that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said regarding honey: ((Fī kulli ‘asharati azqāqin ziqq.)) … "For every ten water-skins, one water-skin (is due as zakat)." (Tirmidhi: 669) From these narrations, it is understood that zakat on honey will be due when a specific area with honey is reserved by the ruler for a particular person; otherwise, there is no zakat on honey. Imam Ahmad held the opinion that one-tenth zakat is due on honey.