Is Zakah obligatory on wild cattle (Baqar al-Wahsh)?
Chapter on Zakat on Cows
Al-Mughni
Book of Zakat
Primary text
There is a reported opinion that Zakah is obligatory on wild cattle, which Abu Bakr selected because the term 'cattle' (Baqar) generally includes them, thus falling under the unqualified general report. However, the sounder view, held by the majority of scholars, is that Zakah is not due on wild cattle.
Supporting text
The reason for rejecting Zakah is that the term 'cattle' when used absolutely does not refer to wild cattle unless specified as 'wild cattle.' Furthermore, the condition of possessing the minimum threshold (Nisab) and grazing for a full year cannot be fulfilled for them. Additionally, since their type is not valid for the sacrifice (Udhiyah) or the sacrificial offering (Hady), Zakah should not be obligatory, similar to gazelles. The underlying principle is that Zakah is legislated specifically for livestock (Bahimat al-An'am) due to their abundance in yield and offspring, and ease of maintenance, a quality not shared by wild animals.