Author: Inayatullah Madani (Hafizahullah)
"Buffaloes are in the same category as cows."
[Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 7/65, Hadith No. 10848]
② Umar bin Abdul Aziz (رحمه الله) instructed:
"Zakat on buffaloes should be taken just as it is taken on cows."
[Kitab Al-Amwal, 2/36, No. 992]
③ Yunus bin Yazid Al-Ayli (رحمه الله) said:
"Buffaloes will be counted along with cows for zakat purposes."
[Musannaf Abdul Razzaq, 4/24, Hadith No. 6851]
④ Imam Malik bin Anas (رحمه الله) remarked:
"Buffaloes and cows are the same, just as Bakhati and Arabi camels are the same."
[Al-Amwal, Ibn Zanjawayh, 2/851]
In Al-Muwatta, he also said:
"Buffaloes and cows will be grouped together for zakat, as they are all considered cows."
[Al-Muwatta, 2/366, No. 895]
⑤ Imam Al-Shafi’i (رحمه الله) stated:
"We calculate the zakat of buffaloes along with cows."
[Al-Umm, 2/20]
⑥ Ibn Hazm (رحمه الله) wrote:
"Buffaloes are a type of cow, and both will be included together when calculating zakat."
[Al-Muhalla, 4/89, Issue No. 673]
He also rejected the argument that buffaloes require a separate ruling, stating:
"Buffaloes are a type of cow, and there is explicit textual evidence for zakat on cows. The obligation of zakat on buffaloes exists because they are classified as cows."
[Al-Ahkam fi Usul Al-Ahkam, 7/132]
⑦ Ibn Qudamah (رحمه الله) stated:
"Buffaloes are no different from other cows, and we do not know of any disagreement on this matter."
[Al-Mughni, 2/444, Issue No. 1711]
In Al-Kafi, he adds:
"Buffaloes are a type of cow, just as Bakhati is a type of camel."
[Al-Kafi, 1/390]
⑧ Imam Al-Shanqiti (رحمه الله) commented:
"Buffaloes have been linked to cows, and camels include both Arabi and Bakhati types."
[Adwa Al-Bayan, 8/271]
⑨ Sheikh Muhammad bin Saleh Al-Uthaymeen (رحمه الله) explained:
"Cows include both domestic cows and buffaloes."
[Al-Sharh Al-Mumti', 6/49]
⑩ Fatwa of Sheikh Muhammad Nasir Al-Din Al-Albani (رحمه الله):
When asked if zakat is obligatory on buffaloes, he responded:
"Yes, zakat is obligatory on buffaloes because they are a type of cow."
[Al-Mawsu’ah Al-Fiqhiyyah Al-Muyassarah, 3/76]
⑪ Sheikh Abu Malik Kamil bin Al-Sayyid Salim wrote:
"Buffaloes are included with cows for zakat because they are unanimously considered a type of cow."
[Sahih Fiqh Al-Sunnah, 2/35]
Thus, the obligation of zakat on buffaloes has been affirmed by leading scholars across different schools of thought, with no significant opposition to this view.
Allah knows best.
Introduction
An examination of Islamic jurisprudence, fatwas, and the history of the early generations reveals that zakat on buffaloes has always been obligatory, similar to cows. Scholars have consistently treated both animals under the same rulings without any distinction. Below are some significant scholarly views and historical evidence to support this consensus.Scholarly Statements on Zakat for Buffaloes
① Hasan Al-Basri (رحمه الله) stated:"Buffaloes are in the same category as cows."
[Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 7/65, Hadith No. 10848]
② Umar bin Abdul Aziz (رحمه الله) instructed:
"Zakat on buffaloes should be taken just as it is taken on cows."
[Kitab Al-Amwal, 2/36, No. 992]
③ Yunus bin Yazid Al-Ayli (رحمه الله) said:
"Buffaloes will be counted along with cows for zakat purposes."
[Musannaf Abdul Razzaq, 4/24, Hadith No. 6851]
④ Imam Malik bin Anas (رحمه الله) remarked:
"Buffaloes and cows are the same, just as Bakhati and Arabi camels are the same."
[Al-Amwal, Ibn Zanjawayh, 2/851]
In Al-Muwatta, he also said:
"Buffaloes and cows will be grouped together for zakat, as they are all considered cows."
[Al-Muwatta, 2/366, No. 895]
⑤ Imam Al-Shafi’i (رحمه الله) stated:
"We calculate the zakat of buffaloes along with cows."
[Al-Umm, 2/20]
⑥ Ibn Hazm (رحمه الله) wrote:
"Buffaloes are a type of cow, and both will be included together when calculating zakat."
[Al-Muhalla, 4/89, Issue No. 673]
He also rejected the argument that buffaloes require a separate ruling, stating:
"Buffaloes are a type of cow, and there is explicit textual evidence for zakat on cows. The obligation of zakat on buffaloes exists because they are classified as cows."
[Al-Ahkam fi Usul Al-Ahkam, 7/132]
⑦ Ibn Qudamah (رحمه الله) stated:
"Buffaloes are no different from other cows, and we do not know of any disagreement on this matter."
[Al-Mughni, 2/444, Issue No. 1711]
In Al-Kafi, he adds:
"Buffaloes are a type of cow, just as Bakhati is a type of camel."
[Al-Kafi, 1/390]
⑧ Imam Al-Shanqiti (رحمه الله) commented:
"Buffaloes have been linked to cows, and camels include both Arabi and Bakhati types."
[Adwa Al-Bayan, 8/271]
⑨ Sheikh Muhammad bin Saleh Al-Uthaymeen (رحمه الله) explained:
"Cows include both domestic cows and buffaloes."
[Al-Sharh Al-Mumti', 6/49]
⑩ Fatwa of Sheikh Muhammad Nasir Al-Din Al-Albani (رحمه الله):
When asked if zakat is obligatory on buffaloes, he responded:
"Yes, zakat is obligatory on buffaloes because they are a type of cow."
[Al-Mawsu’ah Al-Fiqhiyyah Al-Muyassarah, 3/76]
⑪ Sheikh Abu Malik Kamil bin Al-Sayyid Salim wrote:
"Buffaloes are included with cows for zakat because they are unanimously considered a type of cow."
[Sahih Fiqh Al-Sunnah, 2/35]
Conclusion
The statements of numerous scholars, past and present, establish that buffaloes are subject to the same zakat rulings as cows due to their classification as a subtype of cows. This consensus is reflected in various classical texts and modern fatwas.Thus, the obligation of zakat on buffaloes has been affirmed by leading scholars across different schools of thought, with no significant opposition to this view.
Allah knows best.