SECTION ON ZAKAT · 7 – DECLARATION OF NAMES ACCORDING TO THE AGE OF A CAMEL
Abu Dawud said: I have heard from Riyashi, Abu Hatim, and others that Nazr ibn Shumayl has observed in the books of Abu Ubayd that they each mention some words while omitting others, though all relate the same account. They said: "When a female camel is weaned at its first birth (Huwar), and until it completes one year (Binti Mahaz), when it reaches three years old (Binti’l-Abun), and when it completes three years until it turns four (Hik and Hikka), it is called that. For it becomes worthy of riding, and to be mounted for male camels to impregnate. A male camel cannot scatter seed until it sheds its front incisors. Until the fourth year, a Hikka is called Tarikat al-Fahl. Because a male camel is mounted on it for impregnation. When the camel enters five years, it is called Ceza’a until five years are complete. When it enters six years and sheds its front incisors, it remains (Siniya) until six years are complete. When it enters seven years, it is called Rubaiyy for a male camel and Rubaiyya for a female camel. When it enters eight years and sheds the grinding teeth behind its sharp teeth, it is called Sedis and Sedes until eight years are complete. When it enters nine years and the molar tooth emerges, it is called Bazil because of the emergence of the molar. It remains with this name until it reaches ten years. At ten years old, it is called Muhlif. After that, it has no name. But it is said: a one-year Bazil, a two-year Bazil, a one-year Muhlif, a two-year Muhlif, a three-year Muhlif, up to five years as a Halif. A Halif is a pregnant female camel.”
Abu Hatim said: Ceza’a is a period of time, not an age. The ages of camels are measured by the season, which is when the Suhayl star rises. Abu Dawud said: Riyashi recited a poem:
“When the Suhayl star rises at the beginning of the night, Ibn al-labun becomes Hikka, and Hikka becomes Ceza’. No tooth remains in the camel’s teeth except for Huba (this star rising time), so that the three-year-old camel enters four years, and the four-year-old enters five.” Huba means a tooth that emerges outside of its time.