Does the principle of combining separated property apply to assets other than livestock, such as gold, silver, trade goods, crops, and fruits?
Chapter on Zakat on Sheep
Al-Mughni
Book of Zakat
Primary text
The principle of combining property does not affect assets other than livestock, such as gold, silver, trade goods, crops, and fruits. Their ruling remains that of individual holdings, meaning they are assessed separately. This is the position of the majority of scholars. The basis for this exclusion is the hadith stating, 'The two partners share in the watering trough, the stud, and the shepherd,' which indicates that combination only applies where those specific shared elements are present. Furthermore, the prohibition against combining property out of fear of Zakah applies only to livestock, as the obligation fluctuates more significantly upon combination in that category.
Supporting text
There is a differing narration from Ahmad, supported by Ishaq and al-Awza'i concerning grain and fruit, that partnership (*sharikat al-ayān*) affects non-livestock assets. If partners jointly own property equal to a *Nisab*, Zakah is due. Al-Awza'i explicitly applies this to crops when they total five *wasaq*. Al-Qadi also advanced an opinion that combination affects trade goods because shared expenses (like the shop, warehouse, scale, and vendor) simplify the burden, making it analogous to livestock.