What are the required shared attributes for partnership (Khultah) in livestock to combine individual holdings for Zakat purposes?
Chapter on Zakat on Sheep
Al-Mughni
Book of Zakat
Primary text
For the partnership of attributes (Khultah al-Awsaf), five attributes must be shared: the place of watering (Haud), the resting place (Mubeet), the place of milking (Mahlab), the pasture (Marsa), and the common stud male (Fahl). Ahmad specified the herder (Ra'i) as an additional condition, often interpreting the term 'Marsa' (pasture) in some narrations to encompass the herder, or equating Marsa with the place of tending (Masrah). The basis for this ruling is the Hadith reported by Al-Daraqutni on the authority of Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas: "What has been brought together from scattered assets shall not be combined, nor shall what has been combined be separated, out of fear of Zakat," and: "The two partners are those who share the watering place, the stud male, and the herder." The sharing of these specific attributes is considered essential because each attribute provides a recognized relief or benefit (Murafaqah), warranting its inclusion in the Zakat ruling, unlike the opinions of opponents whose reasoning contradicts explicit textual evidence.
Supporting text
Some followers of Malik considered only two conditions necessary for Khultah: the herder and the pasture, based solely on the general statement, "nor shall what has been combined be separated," asserting that this confirms the grouping, which is termed Khultah. However, the more detailed narration specifying the watering place, herder, and stud male serves as an indication of the remaining necessary conditions and invalidates lesser requirements.