How do we pay zakah on the harvest of cotton and rice, and likewise on the harvest of corn? I hope you will clarify this so that the benefit may be widespread, if Allah wills?

The questioner : He also asks how we pay zakah on the harvest of cotton and rice, and likewise on the harvest of corn. I hope you will clarify this so that the benefit may be widespread, if Allah wills?

The Shaykh : What comes out of the earth, if zakah is obligatory on it, then half of the tenth is paid from it if it is watered with effort, such as by pumps and the like, and the full tenth is paid from it if it is watered by rivers and springs, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) . So, half of the tenth is paid from what is subject to zakah, whether it is the actual wealth or something else of its kind. If he has sold the fruit or the crop on which zakah is obligatory and has paid half of the tenth of its value, there is nothing wrong with that, because this is easier for him and more beneficial for the poor. And whatever is easier and more beneficial is a public benefit, and the Shari'ah came to realize public benefits. Yes, that is correct.