The Ruling on Zakah in Horses When They Are Not Intended for Trade
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His Eminence the Shaykh: What is the Shari'ah's view, in your opinion, regarding a person who keeps horses for adornment, or for trade, or for racing, and is there any zakah due on them?
There is no zakah due on them unless they are for trade. If a person trades in horses, buying and selling them, then he owes zakah on them because they are goods for trade. However, if he prepares them for racing, or prepares them for riding, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: (There is no charity due from a Muslim on his slave or his horse).
Interjection: What is the ruling, O Shaykh, for one who keeps them for racing?The Shaykh: There is nothing wrong with that; in fact, it is among the matters that are sought. For this reason, it is permissible to have a stake in horse racing,Meaning: It is permissible for you to race two horses with a stake; because in this there is assistance in jihad in the path of Allah and practice in horseback riding (And in the forelocks of horses is good until the Day of Resurrection).
There is no zakah due on them unless they are for trade. If a person trades in horses, buying and selling them, then he owes zakah on them because they are goods for trade. However, if he prepares them for racing, or prepares them for riding, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: (There is no charity due from a Muslim on his slave or his horse).
Interjection: What is the ruling, O Shaykh, for one who keeps them for racing?The Shaykh: There is nothing wrong with that; in fact, it is among the matters that are sought. For this reason, it is permissible to have a stake in horse racing,Meaning: It is permissible for you to race two horses with a stake; because in this there is assistance in jihad in the path of Allah and practice in horseback riding (And in the forelocks of horses is good until the Day of Resurrection).