Is it permissible to discharge Zakat by offering livestock of a lesser quality than stipulated, provided the monetary value matches the required quality?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Zakat

Book 8 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

It is permissible to discharge Zakat by offering livestock of a different specific quality than required, such as offering an Arabian camel instead of a Bactrian camel, or a skinny animal instead of a fat one, provided the monetary value matches the required animal. This view is held by Abu Bakr. The basis for this ruling is that monetary value is the intended consideration when the animal species (genus) is the same. This is contrasted with discharging Zakat with a different genus entirely, which is impermissible (e.g., a camel for a sheep), as the genus itself is significant in Zakat obligations.

Supporting text

An alternative view, attributed to Al-Qadi, holds that this substitution is impermissible because it involves forfeiting a specifically intended characteristic, similar to substituting an animal of a different genus.