Question:

A man has some sheep and his servants tend them on his own land. Is there zakah on the sheep or not?

Answer: حامدا ومصليا ومسلما

If the sheep reach 40 or more in number then zakat will be compulsory at the end of the year. If raising the sheep is not simply for eating but it is actually for procreation, even if the owner eats one periodically, the details of which can be seen in the books of fiqh, whether the sheep graze on ones own land, government’s land or anyone else’s land, all the scenarios are the same. However, zakat will not be wajib if the sheep are less than 40 in number.

And Allah knows best.

Hazrat Mufti Zafar Ahmed Thanvi (May Allah have mercy on him.)

Imdadul Ahkam (2/32)

Translator’s Note: [This is restricted to land where the owner was permitted to let his sheep graze. If he had tended his sheep in someone else’s property without their permission then zakat will not be wajib. Wallahu A’lam.

 المكتفية بالرعي المباح ، ذكره الشمني ( قوله ذكره الشمني ) أي ذكر التقييد بالمباح 

.قال في البحر والنهر : ولا بد منه لأن الكلأ يشمل غير المباح ولا تكون سائمة به

[ رد المحتار