What is the required quality of the sacrificial animal (sheep/goat) given in lieu of camels for Zakat?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Zakat
Primary text
The sheep rendered must match the camels in quality, meaning a fat camel requires a fat sheep, a weak camel requires a lean sheep, a noble camel requires a noble sheep, and a base camel requires a base sheep. If the camels are sick, a sound sheep must be given according to the value of the livestock. The valuation process involves determining the value of the camels as if they were sound, and the value of the sheep. The reduction in the sheep's value corresponds proportionally to the reduction in the camels' value. For instance, if the camels are diminished by one-fifth of their value, a sheep valued at four units is due if the original sheep value was five. This ruling applies to substitution whether the original camels were sound or sick, in which case only a sound sheep suffices.
Supporting text
There is an opinion stating that the sheep rendered suffices if it is one that is valid for the ritual sacrifice (Adha), irrespective of the determined proportional value. However, regardless of the primary opinion, a sick sheep is never sufficient when substituting for livestock that is a mixture of sound and sick animals; in this mixed case, only a sound sheep suffices, treating it as if all the animals were sound.