Nasai

(1) The obligation of zakat on honey is a matter of scholarly disagreement. Imam Abu Hanifah and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal rahimahullah are of the opinion that ‘ushr (one-tenth) is due on honey, because there are some transmitted hadiths on this matter. Although there is some criticism regarding some of these narrations, collectively they become strong, and thus they are considered as proof. Shaykh al-Albani rahimahullah and others have declared the narration regarding ‘ushr on honey to be authentic. For further details and the various chains and supporting narrations, see: (Irwa’ al-Ghalil, Hadith no. 810). Imam Abu Hanifah rahimahullah holds that ‘ushr is due on every small or large amount of honey. However, this position is not correct, because in these very hadiths, the nisab (minimum threshold) is also mentioned as ten water-skins. And this is the preferred view. Imam Malik, Imam Shafi‘i, and Imam Bukhari rahimahumullah do not hold the view of ‘ushr on honey, because in their opinion the aforementioned narrations are weak. Furthermore, in the hadith mentioned in this chapter, it is stated that a portion of honey was taken in exchange for allocating a specific area to Hazrat Hilal radi Allahu anhu. This suggests that if the area had not been specified, the demand for ‘ushr would not have been made, as is understood from the statement of Hazrat ‘Umar radi Allahu anhu. However, the answer to this could be that, due to the allocation of a specific area, a large quantity of honey would accumulate with him, and thus zakat became obligatory upon him, whereas for someone who obtains only a small amount of honey, zakat (‘ushr) is not obligatory—just as is the case with other items subject to ‘ushr. In any case, zakat will be applicable to those who conduct large-scale commercial business in honey.

(2) “Rain bee.” Because rain has a deep connection with its proliferation, that is why bees are more abundant in the rainy season, or the things upon which this bee subsists grow and flourish only due to rain.

Fiqh al-Hadith
There is considerable disagreement regarding the obligation of zakat on honey, but it is incumbent upon the believers to avoid unnecessary disputes and to act upon established matters. Accordingly:

“It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As radi Allahu anhuma that «انه اخذ من العسل العشر» the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam collected a tithe (‘ushr) on honey.” [صحيح، سنن ابن ماجه 1824]

“It is also narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Amr radi Allahu anhuma that Sayyiduna Hilal radi Allahu anhu brought the zakat of his honey to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and requested: ‘Please designate the valley of Salabah exclusively for them.’ Thus, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam designated that valley for them (for the collection of honey). When Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab radi Allahu anhu became caliph, Sufyan ibn Wahb wrote to Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab radi Allahu anhu to inquire about this matter. Umar radi Allahu anhu replied in writing: ‘If they continue to pay you the tithe (‘ushr) of their honey as they used to pay to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, then let the valley of Salabah remain exclusively for them; otherwise, it is the honey of wild bees—whoever wishes may consume it.’” [سنن نسائي 2501، سنن ابي داود 1600، وسنده صحيح]

“Sayyiduna Ibn al-As radi Allahu anhu states: A group from the tribe of Fahm... used to give one skin out of every ten skins (as tithe), and both valleys remained exclusively for them.” [سنن ابي داود 1602، وسنده حسن]

Although some scholars have discussed the issue derived from these hadiths, a group of scholars has understood from them that there is a tithe (‘ushr) on honey.

Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal rahimahullah states: I asked my respected father (Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal rahimahullah): Is there zakat on honey? He replied: There is a tithe (‘ushr) on honey. [مسائل الامام احمد : 620]

From the aforementioned evidences, it becomes clear that if a person who extracts honey directly from the hive possesses such an amount that it reaches ten skins, then it is obligatory to pay one skin as tithe (‘ushr); and if it is less than this, then this ruling does not apply. It should be noted that those who buy and sell honey as a trade—that is, they do not extract honey directly from the hives themselves but engage in its transaction—their trade will be subject to the same zakat as applies to commercial goods. «والله اعلم»

1600. Commentary: According to the statements of Imam Bukhari rahimahullah, Tirmidhi, and Abu Bakr ibn al-Mundhir, there is no authentic and explicit hadith regarding the obligation of zakat on honey. Whereas the aforementioned hadith under discussion is authentic in its chain of narration. For details, see (Irwa al-Ghalil, 3/810). The statement of Allamah Khattabi and others is that Hazrat Hilal Mutai’i radi Allahu anhu brought its zakat willingly, so the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam accepted it, and upon his request, the valley of Salabah was written in his name. After this, Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab radi Allahu anhu understood that, firstly, there is no zakat in it at all. However, since he had this valley registered in his name, then in exchange for it, he should also give zakat; if he does not give zakat, then this valley will not remain exclusive to him, but will be for the general Muslims, whoever wishes may benefit from it. In short, since this is wealth, therefore, paying zakat from it is more correct and is required by precaution, as is the fatwa of the noble Imams: Abu Hanifah rahimahullah, Ahmad rahimahullah, Ishaq rahimahullah, and others. And it is also narrated from the Companions: Hazrat Umar radi Allahu anhu and Ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhu. Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz and one statement of Imam Shafi’i rahimahullah is also that zakat is obligatory on honey. And Allah knows best what is correct.

Fiqh al-Hadith
There is considerable disagreement regarding the obligation of zakat on honey, but it is incumbent upon the believers to avoid unnecessary disputes and to act upon established matters. Thus:

“It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As radi Allahu anhuma that «انه اخذ من العسل العشر» the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam collected the ‘ushr (one-tenth) from honey.” [صحيح، سنن ابن ماجه 1824]

“It is also narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Amr radi Allahu anhuma that Sayyiduna Hilal radi Allahu anhu brought the zakat of his honey to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and requested: ‘Please designate the valley of Salabah exclusively for them.’ So the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam designated that valley for them (for obtaining honey). When Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab radi Allahu anhu became caliph, Sufyan ibn Wahb wrote to Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab radi Allahu anhu to inquire about this matter. Umar radi Allahu anhu replied in writing: ‘If they continue to pay you the ‘ushr of their honey as they used to pay to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, then let the valley of Salabah remain exclusively for them; otherwise, it is the honey of the wild bee—whoever wishes may consume it.’” [سنن نسائي 2501، سنن ابي داود 1600، وسنده صحيح]

“Sayyiduna Ibn al-As radi Allahu anhu states: A group from the tribe of Fahm . . . . . would give one skin out of ten skins (as ‘ushr), and both valleys remained exclusively for them.” [سنن ابي داود 1602، وسنده حسن]

Although some scholars have discussed the issue derived from these ahadith, a group of scholars has understood from them that there is ‘ushr (one-tenth) on honey.

Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal rahimahullah states: I asked my respected father (Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal rahimahullah): Is there zakat on honey? He replied: There is ‘ushr on honey. [مسائل الامام احمد : 620]

From the aforementioned evidences, it becomes clear that if a person who extracts honey directly from the hive possesses such an amount that it makes up ten skins, then it is obligatory to pay one skin as ‘ushr, and if it is less than this, then this ruling does not apply. It should be noted that those who buy and sell honey as a trade—that is, they do not extract honey directly from the hives themselves but engage in its transaction—their trade will be subject to the same zakat as is due on commercial goods. «والله اعلم»