What is the ruling regarding the consumption of fresh grain by the owners of grain crops?
Chapter on Zakat on Crops and Fruits
Al-Mughni
Book of Zakat
Primary text
The owners of grain crops are entrusted (*amanah*) with the crop once the grain is threshed and dry. They are permitted to consume from it according to established custom (*'adah*), and this consumption is not to be counted against them. Imam Ahmad permitted owners of grain to eat *farīk* (partially threshed grain) as needed, equating it to the customary consumption of fruit owners.
Supporting text
When the grain is threshed, the entirety of the remaining yield must be rendered as Zakat, as the allowance for premature consumption was specifically granted due to the natural inclination to eat fresh fruit, a custom not strongly present or significant in the context of field crops.