How Is Zakat Paid For Agricultural Products?

How is zakat paid for agricultural products?

According to Imam Abu Hanifa, all agricultural products, little or much, are subject to zakat (Mawsili, al-Ikhtiyar, I, 372). According to Imam Malik and Imam Shafi’i, agricultural products that may be stored for one year and consumed as food are subject to zakat (Ibn Juzay, al-Qavanin, 208; Shirazi, al-Muhadhdhab,I,288).

According to Ibn Hanbal, long-lasting foodstuffs that may be measured, weighed and dried, and the products that are produced on earth such as cotton and linen are subject to zakat (Ibn Qudamah, al-Mughni, IV, 155-160).

According to the majority of modern-day scholars, agricultural products that may be stored such as wheat, barley, corn and rice are subject to zakat if it reaches to nisab amount (Five Wasqs/between 653kg and 1000 kg depending on the product, e.g. 653 for wheat) after deduction of extra expenses such as fertilizer, disinfection etc.

For the products apart from these, ‘ushr is given when its value reaches to the value of five wasqs of the least valuable one from aforementioned products (Shaybani, al-Jami al-Saghir, p. 130-131). This opinion is considered as more appropriate because it corresponds to the essence of the nass and is in favor of the poor.

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWA