What is the permissibility if the owner estimates the yield themselves without an appointed estimator?
Chapter on Zakat on Crops and Fruits
Al-Mughni
Book of Zakat
Primary text
If the Imam (ruler) does not appoint an estimator (*khaaris*) and the property owner needs to dispose of the fruit, if the owner appoints an estimator, it is permissible for the owner to take an amount equal to what the appointed estimator would have left. If the owner estimates the yield themselves and takes that corresponding amount, it is permissible, though caution must be taken that they do not take more than what is rightfully theirs.