◈ Obligatory to Pay One-Tenth from Wheat, Barley, Corn, Dates, and Raisins ◈
✍ Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
❀ The Obligation of Paying ‘Ushr (One-Tenth) or Nisf al-‘Ushr (One-Twentieth) from Agricultural Produce
It is obligatory to pay one-tenth or one-twentieth from agricultural produce. The legitimacy of this ruling is supported by the following evidences:
✿ Evidences from the Qur’an and Hadith
➊ Allah Almighty says:
وَآتُوا حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ [الأنعام: 141]
“Pay its due on the day of harvest.”
➋ Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما, the Prophet ﷺ said:
فيما سقت السماء والعيون أو كان عثريا العشر ، وما سقى بالنضح نصف العشر
“That which is irrigated by rain, springs, or natural moisture requires one-tenth in Zakat; and that which is irrigated by man-drawn water requires one-twentieth.”
[References: Bukhari 1483, Abu Dawood 1596, Tirmidhi 635, Nasai 5/41, Ibn Majah 1817, Bayhaqi 4/130, Ibn Khuzaymah 2307]
➌ Consensus of the Ummah:
The scholars unanimously agree that one-tenth or one-twentieth is obligatory on agricultural produce.
[References: Al-Mughni 4/154, Bada’i al-Sana’i 2/54, Fiqh al-Zakah 1/448]
❀ Only Four Crops are Subject to Zakah
Narration by Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari and Mu‘adh رضي الله عنهما:
لا تاخذا فى الصدقة إلا من هذه الأصناف الأربعة: الشعير، والحنطة ، والزبيب ، والتمر
“Do not collect Zakat except from these four items: barley, wheat, raisins, and dates.”
[References: Tamam al-Minnah p. 369, Al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir 3/75, Mustadrak Hakim 1/401, etc.]
❖ Note: Though maize is mentioned in a narration of Ibn Majah, it is weak.
[References: Da‘if Ibn Majah 400, Irwa al-Ghalil 801]
Conclusion:
Only these four crops are established through authentic evidence, and Zakat should be collected from them alone. Since a Muslim’s wealth is sacred, only what is definitively established through sound proof can be taken.
✅ Among those who hold this view: Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما, Imam Ibn al-Mubarak, Imam al-Hasan, Imam Ibn Sirin, Imam al-Sha‘bi, and Imam Ahmad in one narration.
✅ This is also the view of Imam San‘ani, Shaykh Albani, Ibn al-Mundhir, Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr, and is supported by Imam Shawkani in his later writings.
❀ Scholarly Disagreements
- Malik, Shafi‘i, and Ahmad: Zakah is due only on storable and consumable crops.
- Abu Hanifah: Zakah is due on everything grown from the land except wood, grass, and bamboo.
[References: Al-Fiqh al-Islami wa Adillatuhu 3/1884, Fath al-Qadir 2/2, Al-Lubab 1/151, etc.]
Yusuf al-Qaradawi prefers Abu Hanifah’s view.
[Fiqh al-Zakah 1/355]
❀ Evaluation of the “Four-Crop” Hadith
Though Shaykh Albani and others graded it authentic, in reality:
- Abu Hudhayfah (narrator) is صدوق but forgetful.
- Sufyan al-Thawri is a مدلس narrator.
- Talhah ibn Yahya is disputed.
Conclusion: The narration is not firmly established. Thus, due to general evidences, Zakah is obligatory on all types of agricultural produce that reach the Nisab. و الله أعلم
❀ General Evidences for Zakah on All Agricultural Produce
➊ وَآتُوا حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ [الأنعام: 142]
➋ مِمَّا أَخْرَجْنَا لَكُمْ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ [البقرة: 267]
➌ فيما سقت السماء …. العشر
[References: Bukhari 1483, Abu Dawood 1596]
➍ ليس فى ما دون خمسة أو ساق من تمر ولا حب صدقة
[References: Muslim 1627, Darimi 1578, Muwatta 513]
❀ Amount of Zakah Based on Irrigation Method
- One-Tenth (10%): For lands irrigated by rain, dew, underground moisture, or springs.
- One-Twentieth (5%): For lands irrigated through labor-intensive methods like well-water, animal-drawn water, paid canal systems, etc.
❀ Nisab for Zakah on Agricultural Produce
➊ Minimum threshold (Nisab): Five Wasq (approximately 20 Mann)
Narrated by Abu Sa‘id رضي الله عنه:
ليس فيما دون خمسة أو سق صدقة
“No Zakah on produce less than five Wasq.”
[References: Bukhari 1447, Muslim 979, Abu Dawood 1558, etc.]
✔ One Wasq = 60 Sa‘
✔ One Sa‘ ≈ 2.5 kg
✔ 5 Wasq = 20 Mann (approx.)
❀ No Zakah on Vegetables
Evidences:
➊ Statement of Musa bin Talhah رضي الله عنه, citing the Prophet ﷺ:
ليس فى ذلك صدقة
[Dar Qutni 2/97]
➋ From Mu‘adh رضي الله عنه:
Cucumber, watermelon, pomegranate, and sugarcane are exempted.
➌ From Anas رضي الله عنه:
ليس فى الخضروات صدقة
[Dar Qutni 2/96]
However, all these narrations are weak. Thus, based on general evidences, vegetables should be included if they reach the Nisab. و الله أعلم
❀ Estimation (Takhmeen) on Fruits Before Harvest
It is permissible for Zakah collectors to estimate the amount of grapes and fresh dates on the trees.
[Reference: Sahih Ibn Majah 1473]
➤ Malik and Shafi‘i: It is allowed
➤ Abu Hanifah: Not allowed as it’s speculation of the unseen.
❀ Zakah on Honey
➊ From Abdullah ibn ‘Amr رضي الله عنه:
أنه أخذ من العسل العشر
➋ Abu Sayyarah رضي الله عنه:
أد العشر
➌ Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما:
فى كل عشرة أزقاق زق
Preferred View: Zakah is due on honey.
(Yusuf Qaradawi, Imam Ahmad)
Opposing View: No Zakah (Imam Malik, Shafi‘i, Ibn Hazm)
❀ Early Payment of Zakah
Narrated from Ali رضي الله عنه:
رخص له فى ذلك
The Prophet ﷺ permitted Abbas رضي الله عنه to pay Zakah in advance.
Permissible According to:
Shafi‘i, Ahmad, Abu Hanifah, Ibn Baz, Ibn Qudamah, etc.
Not Permissible According to:
Imam Malik, Ibn Hazm
❀ Zakah Should Be Spent Locally
➊ Narrated from Mu‘adh رضي الله عنه:
توخذ من أغنيائهم فترد على فقرائهم
➋ Abu Juhaifah رضي الله عنه:
فأخذ الصدقة من أغنيائنا فجعلها فى فقرائنا
➌ ‘Imran ibn Husayn رضي الله عنه:
وضعناه حيث كنا نضعه
✔ Most scholars say: Should be spent where collected.
✔ Hanafis allow transfer elsewhere.
✔ In special circumstances, transfer is permissible. (Tuhfat al-Ahwazi 3/355)
❀ Handing Zakah to Rulers — Even If They Are Unjust
➊ Narrated from Ibn Mas‘ud رضي الله عنه:
تؤدون الحق الذى عليكم وتسألون الله الذى لكم
➋ Wail ibn Hujr رضي الله عنه:
اسمعوا وأطيعوا فإنما عليهم ما حملوا
➌ Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas رضي الله عنه:
ادفعوا إليهم ما صلوا الخمس
➍ Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما:
ادفعوها إليهم وإن شربوا الخمور
Majority opinion: It is valid to hand Zakah to unjust rulers.
❀ The Ruler Can Enforce and Penalize Zakah Evaders
➊ Narrated from Bahz ibn Hakim:
فإنا أخذوها وشطر ماله
“We will take it by force and seize half of his wealth.”
[References: Abu Dawood 1393, 1575; Nasai 2444]
