What is the minimum amount (Nisab) of honey subject to Zakat?
Chapter on Zakat on Crops and Fruits
Al-Mughni
Book of Zakat
Primary text
The Nisab for honey is ten Afrāq (plural of Faarq). This is the opinion held by Al-Zuhri. The evidence supporting this view is the narration attributed to 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) where, when asked about theft of honey from hives in Yemen, he stated: If you render its Zakat, from every ten Afrāq, one Farq, we shall protect it for you. This statement by 'Umar is considered a definitive ruling that must be followed. Based on the interpretation that one Farq equals sixteen Rital in Iraqi measure, the Nisab amounts to one hundred and sixty Rital. Al-Zuhri's ruling regarding ten Afrāq for the Nisab, with the Farq being sixteen Rital, is supported by Imam Ahmad.
Supporting text
Abu Yusuf and Muhammad hold that the Nisab is five Awsūq, based on the Prophetic saying, "There is no Sadaqah on less than five Awsūq." Abu Hanifa posits that Zakat is obligatory on both small and large quantities, following his principle regarding grains and fruits. Another interpretation suggests the Farq is sixty Rital, making the Nisab six hundred Rital, citing that the Farq is a large measure from Iraq. Another view suggests the Nisab is one thousand Rital, based on a narration concerning 'Amr ibn Shu'ayb that a Qirbah (waterskin) was taken from every ten large containers of honey, with the Qirbah being one hundred Rital.