Grazing (Sa'imah) vs Fed (Ma'lufah) Animals in Zakat

Short answer: Free-grazing (sa'imah) animals are subject to the fixed livestock zakat tables (nisab and rates) as outlined in the authentic hadith from Abu Bakr's letter (Sahih al-Bukhari 1454-55). Stall-fed (ma'lufah) animals are not covered by those tables; they are treated either as trade goods (if bought for resale) with 2.5% on their market value, or no zakat if kept for personal use (riding, labor, or consumption) unless they reach the nisab as trade items. Evidence: 1. The Permanent Committee and the majority of scholars (including Ibn Baz and al-Uthaymin) state that the fixed livestock nisab tables apply only to 'sa'imah' animals—those grazing on open pasture most of the year and kept for milk/breeding. (P1) 2. Sahih al-Bukhari 1454: The zakat letter written by Abu Bakr (ra) quotes the Prophet's (ﷺ) rulings on livestock, which specify 'sa'imah' as the condition for the fixed rates. (P2) 3. Sahih al-Bukhari 1455: The same letter includes conditions like not taking old or defective animals, further indicating that these rules are for grazing livestock. (P3) Therefore, for stall-fed animals, the owner must evaluate the purpose: if for trade, calculate zakat as 2.5% of market value when reaching nisab (equivalent to 85g gold); if for personal non-trade use (e.g., riding, meat), no zakat is due on the animals themselves. For complex cases, consult a qualified scholar.