Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported God’s messenger as saying, “No sadaqa is payable on less than five camel-loads (wasq) of dates, on less than five ounces of silver, and on less than five camels.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)
Hadith Text & Context
The noble hadith from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri establishes the minimum thresholds (nisab) for Zakat obligation on three specific categories: agricultural produce, silver currency, and livestock.
Scholarly Commentary
The five camel-loads (wasq) refer to approximately 653kg of dates or grains, representing the nisab for agricultural produce irrigated without cost.
Five ounces (awqiyah) of silver equate to 200 dirhams or approximately 595 grams, establishing the minimum wealth for Zakat on silver and modern monetary equivalents.
Five camels represent the threshold for livestock Zakat, with different rates applying as the number increases beyond this minimum.
Legal Implications
This hadith demonstrates the wisdom of Islamic law in exempting those with minimal possessions from Zakat obligation.
The specified amounts indicate that Zakat is only obligatory when wealth reaches a substantial level that signifies true financial capacity.
Scholars derive from this that wealth below these thresholds is considered essential for basic needs and thus exempt from Zakat.
Contemporary Application
Modern scholars apply the silver standard (595 grams) to calculate Zakat on cash savings and business assets.
The agricultural nisab applies to modern farming produce, with calculations based on current market values.
The camel nisab informs modern livestock Zakat calculations for those engaged in animal husbandry.