Selling the Fruit of One’s Orchard: Is Zakah Paid from the Fruit or from Its Value?

Question : Since the man sold the fruit of his orchard or sold his crop, selling it for dirhams before he harvested it or after he harvested it, selling it for a small amount, is it permissible for him to pay his zakah from the dirhams, from the price, whenever it is permissible?

Answer : The correct view is that it is permissible if there is a benefit in it, and there is no doubt that the norm is that there is a benefit in it, or a need as well. When a person is in need and sells all of his crop, all of his planting, and we said that the obligatory amount of zakah for him is one hundred sa' (a dry measure of about 3 kg), and the entire crop is with him, meaning he has to get rid of it, and he only goes to buy food from the market, and this may be a hardship for him. So if we say, pay one-tenth of these dirhams if you water with expense, or the full tenth if you water without expense, then we have made it easier for him. And it may be better for the poor as well. Perhaps some people, if you give them something from the crop, will prepare to sell it in the market for less than its value, but if you give them the dirhams, that becomes more beneficial for them.