According to Islamic law, when calculating Zakat on livestock (camels, cattle, sheep/goats), an animal of a specific required age must be given. However, if a person does not possess an animal of that exact required age, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) clearly guided how to make up for the difference by giving an animal that is one year older or one year younger.
- Legal Rule (Method of Compensation)
* If an animal that is one year younger than the required age is given as Zakat, two sheep/goats or 20 dirhams (silver coins) must be added and given along with it.
* If an animal that is one year older than the required age is given as Zakat, the Zakat collector must return two sheep/goats or 20 dirhams to the person giving Zakat.
Hadith Proof (Sahih al-Bukhari 1453)
In the letter written by Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) to Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) regarding the rules of Zakat, the following was mentioned:
وَمَنْ بَلَغَتْ عِنْدَهُ مِنَ الإِبِلِ صَدَقَةُ الجَذَعَةِ، وَلَيْسَتْ عِنْدَهُ جَذَعَةٌ، وَعِنْدَهُ حِقَّةٌ، فَإِنَّهَا تُقْبَلُ مِنْهُ الحِقَّةُ، وَيَجْعَلُ مَعَهَا شَاتَيْنِ إِنِ اسْتَيْسَرَتَا لَهُ، أَوْ عِشْرِينَ دِرْهَمًا، وَمَنْ بَلَغَتْ عِنْدَهُ صَدَقَةُ الحِقَّةِ، وَلَيْسَتْ عِنْدَهُ الحِقَّةُ، وَعِنْدَهُ الجَذَعَةُ، فَإِنَّهَا تُقْبَلُ مِنْهُ الجَذَعَةُ، وَيُعْطِيهِ المُصَدِّقُ عِشْرِينَ دِرْهَمًا أَوْ شَاتَيْنِ
English Translation: “If a person reaches the stage where a ‘Jadha’ah’ (a 4-year-old camel) is due on him as Zakat, but he does not have a ‘Jadha’ah’ and only has a ‘Hiqqah’ (a 3-year-old camel), then that ‘Hiqqah’ will be accepted from him. Along with it, if it is easy for him, he should give two sheep/goats or twenty dirhams.
And if a person reaches the stage where a ‘Hiqqah’ (a 3-year-old camel) is due on him, but he does not have a ‘Hiqqah’ and has a ‘Jadha’ah’ (a 4-year-old camel), then that ‘Jadha’ah’ will be accepted from him, and the Zakat collector shall return twenty dirhams or two sheep/goats to him.”
A person giving Zakat should not be coerced simply because he does not possess an animal of the specified age. Permission is granted in religion to give an animal of a different age and compensate for the difference through money or sheep/goats.
Sheep / Money Comparison: In those days, the value of 2 sheep/goats was equal to 20 dirhams. In modern times, the equivalent amount will be adjusted according to current circumstances and value.