❖ Zakat on Camels: Nisab, Prescribed Rates, and Scholarly Consensus ❖
✍ Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
Zakat on camels (الإبل) is clearly outlined in the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and practiced by the Khulafāʾ Rāshidīn. The obligation is tied to specific Nisab (minimum number) and each level corresponds to a defined Zakat animal. These rulings are unanimously agreed upon by scholars.
إِذَا بَلَغَتِ الْإِبِلُ خَمْسًا فَفِيْهَا شَاةٌ...
The Zakat due on camels is as follows:
For every 50 → 1 حقة |
✔ بنت مخاض:
A female camel that has completed 1 year and entered the 2nd year, whose mother is of age to be pregnant.
✔ ابن لبون:
A male camel that has completed 2 years and entered the 3rd year.
✔ بنت لبون:
A female camel that has completed 2 years and entered the 3rd year.
✔ حقة:
A female camel that has completed 3 years and entered the 4th year, suitable for mating.
✔ جذعة:
A female camel that has completed 4 years and entered the 5th year.
References: [Nayl al-Awṭār: 3/81; Subul al-Salām: 2/791; Al-Taʿlīqāt al-Raḍiyyah: 1/492]
Narrated from Anas رضي الله عنه:
Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه gave him a written instruction concerning the Zakat on camels, based on what the Prophet ﷺ had established as revealed by Allah. This instruction specified the Zakat due for every bracket of camel ownership, as listed above.
References: [Bukhārī: 1453–1454; Abū Dāwūd: 1567; Nasāʾī: 5/18; Ibn Mājah: 1800; Aḥmad: 1131; Dāraqutnī: 2/113; Ḥākim: 1/390; Ibn Khuzaymah: 2261]
Narrated by Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما:
The Prophet ﷺ dictated the Zakat regulations but passed away before sending them to the collectors. After him, Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه retrieved the document and implemented it throughout his caliphate, and ʿUmar رضي الله عنه also followed it until his death.
Sources: [Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 1386; Abū Dāwūd: 1568; Tirmidhī: 621; Ḥākim: 1/392; Bayhaqī: 4/88]
✔ Ibn Ḥazm رحمه الله:
“This Zakat ruling is of the highest authenticity, established by Abu Bakr in the presence of the Sahabah, and no one opposed it.”
[Al-Muḥallā: 6/20]
✔ Imām al-Nawawī رحمه الله:
“The Nisab for camels is based on Ijmaʿ (consensus).”
[Al-Majmūʿ: 5/300]
✔ Abū ʿUbayd رحمه الله:
Also recorded consensus on the matter.
[Al-Amwāl: p. 363]
✍ Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
✿ Introduction
Zakat on camels (الإبل) is clearly outlined in the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and practiced by the Khulafāʾ Rāshidīn. The obligation is tied to specific Nisab (minimum number) and each level corresponds to a defined Zakat animal. These rulings are unanimously agreed upon by scholars.
❖ Zakat Rates According to Number of Camels
إِذَا بَلَغَتِ الْإِبِلُ خَمْسًا فَفِيْهَا شَاةٌ...
The Zakat due on camels is as follows:
| Number of Camels | Zakat Due |
|---|---|
| 1 – 4 | No Zakat (unless voluntary) |
| 5 – 9 | 1 sheep |
| 10 – 14 | 2 sheep |
| 15 – 19 | 3 sheep |
| 20 – 24 | 4 sheep |
| 25 – 35 | 1 بنت مخاض or ابن لبون |
| 36 – 45 | 1 بنت لبون |
| 46 – 60 | 1 حقة |
| 61 – 75 | 1 جذعة |
| 76 – 90 | 2 بنتا لبون |
| 91 – 120 | 2 حقتان |
| 121+ | For every 40 → 1 بنت لبون |
For every 50 → 1 حقة |
❖ Definitions of Required Zakat Animals
✔ بنت مخاض:
A female camel that has completed 1 year and entered the 2nd year, whose mother is of age to be pregnant.
✔ ابن لبون:
A male camel that has completed 2 years and entered the 3rd year.
✔ بنت لبون:
A female camel that has completed 2 years and entered the 3rd year.
✔ حقة:
A female camel that has completed 3 years and entered the 4th year, suitable for mating.
✔ جذعة:
A female camel that has completed 4 years and entered the 5th year.
References: [Nayl al-Awṭār: 3/81; Subul al-Salām: 2/791; Al-Taʿlīqāt al-Raḍiyyah: 1/492]
❖ Hadith Evidence and Practice of the Companions
Narrated from Anas رضي الله عنه:
Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه gave him a written instruction concerning the Zakat on camels, based on what the Prophet ﷺ had established as revealed by Allah. This instruction specified the Zakat due for every bracket of camel ownership, as listed above.
References: [Bukhārī: 1453–1454; Abū Dāwūd: 1567; Nasāʾī: 5/18; Ibn Mājah: 1800; Aḥmad: 1131; Dāraqutnī: 2/113; Ḥākim: 1/390; Ibn Khuzaymah: 2261]
❖ Preservation and Application of the Zakat Charter
Narrated by Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما:
The Prophet ﷺ dictated the Zakat regulations but passed away before sending them to the collectors. After him, Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه retrieved the document and implemented it throughout his caliphate, and ʿUmar رضي الله عنه also followed it until his death.
Sources: [Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 1386; Abū Dāwūd: 1568; Tirmidhī: 621; Ḥākim: 1/392; Bayhaqī: 4/88]
❖ Scholarly Endorsements and Consensus
✔ Ibn Ḥazm رحمه الله:
“This Zakat ruling is of the highest authenticity, established by Abu Bakr in the presence of the Sahabah, and no one opposed it.”
[Al-Muḥallā: 6/20]
✔ Imām al-Nawawī رحمه الله:
“The Nisab for camels is based on Ijmaʿ (consensus).”
[Al-Majmūʿ: 5/300]
✔ Abū ʿUbayd رحمه الله:
Also recorded consensus on the matter.
[Al-Amwāl: p. 363]
