No zakaah is due on figs

Praise be to Allah.

No zakaah is due on vegetables, such as tomatoes and cucumbers, or on fruits, such as pomegranates, figs, peaches and melons, because they are not measured or stored; but if one deals in them then zakaah should be paid after one year if their value reaches the nisaab, as with all other trade goods. 

It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no zakaah due on less than five wasqs of dates or grains.” Narrated by Muslim (979). 

The relevant point here is “less than five wasqs”, which indicates that measures are relevant. That which is not measurable is not subject to zakaah.  

Ibn Qudaamah said in al-Mughni (2/294): There is no zakaah on other fruits, such as peaches, pears, apples, apricots, figs and walnuts.  

Al-Nawawi said in al-Majmoo’ (4/435): The texts of al-Shaafa’i and his companions are agreed that there is no zakaah on figs, apples, quince, pomegranates, peaches, walnuts, apricots, bananas, and so on. 

The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas said: Figs are not subject to zakaah, because they are fruits like pomegranates and pears and so on, and they are not things that are measured or stored. 

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (9/233). 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked in Fataawa Noor ‘ala al-Darb: Is zakaah due on olives, olive oil, pomegranates, and figs? Because we live in an area where these crops are cultivated widely. 

He replied: No zakaah is due on these crops; rather zakaah is due on dates and grapes. As for olives, pomegranates, oranges, apples and citrons, no zakaah is due on any of them. But if a person sells them and gets money for them and it stays with him for a whole year, then he has to pay zakaah, but this is zakaah on money, not fruit. End quote. 

This was stated in a fatwa by Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (14/70). 

And Allaah knows best.