Zakat on Working and Plough Animals

Short answer: No, oxen and other animals used for ploughing, transport, or other labour are not subject to livestock zakat, because the zakat obligation applies specifically to grazing livestock (sa'imah) kept for trade or produce, not to working animals. The provided evidence passages (Sahih al-Bukhari 1454, 1455, 1468, 1448, 1502, 1453, 1459, 1405, 1447, 1451, 1484; Sahih Muslim 979a) all relate to zakat on camels, dates, grains, and silver—establishing nisab thresholds (e.g., five camels, five awsuq, five uqiyas) and categories of camels (Bint Makhad, etc.). None of these passages mention working animals or plough oxen. The classical principle, derived from the general practice of the Prophet ﷺ and the Companions, is that zakat on livestock is due only on animals that are pastured (sa'imah) for the majority of the year and intended for milk, breeding, or trade. Animals used primarily for work (ploughing, transport, etc.) are considered tools of labour, not zakatable wealth. This view is held by the majority of scholars (including Ibn Baz, al-Uthaymin, and the Permanent Committee). An acceptable alternative (weighted less due to lack of strong dalil) is that if the animals are also kept for breeding or sale, they may become subject to zakat, but the default for sole working animals is no zakat. Evidence: 1. The supplied hadith set nisab for camels (five) but do not include working animals; the Prophetic legislation focused on grazing herds. 2. Narrations about zakat collection (Bukhari 1454, 1455, 1448, 1453) detail categories of camels and sheep, none mentioning work animals. 3. The general principle from the Qur'an (not cited here) and sunnah is that zakat is on wealth that grows; working animals are capital assets, not growth wealth. Disclaimer: This ruling is based on the evidence provided. For complex or mixed cases (e.g., animals used both for work and trade), consult a knowledgeable scholar.