What is the validity of Zakat intention when wealth is absent or uncertain?
Chapter on Zakat on Sheep
Al-Mughni
Book of Zakat
Primary text
If one has absent wealth and doubts its safety, it is permissible to pay Zakat for it, and the intention is valid because the default status of the property is continuation. If the intention is phrased conditionally, such as: 'If my wealth is safe, this is its Zakat, and if it is destroyed, it is a voluntary charity,' and the wealth turns out to be safe, the intention suffices because the primary intent was for the obligation, and the voluntary aspect was secondary. Stating simply, 'This is the Zakat of my absent or present wealth,' is valid because specification of the exact wealth is not a condition for validity. However, if one states, 'This is the Zakat of my absent wealth, or voluntary charity,' it is invalid as the intention was not exclusively for the obligation.
Supporting text
If the person states, 'This is the Zakat of my absent wealth if it is safe, otherwise it is the Zakat of my present wealth,' it suffices for the safe portion of either. If both are safe, it suffices for one of them, as specification is not required. If one states simply, 'Zakat of my absent wealth,' and it turns out to be destroyed, the payer cannot redirect that payment to the Zakat of other wealth because the original payment was specified, akin to freeing a slave intended for a specific expiation but not counting for it.