THE CHAPTER ON ZAKAT · 8 – WHERE IS THE ZAKAT OF ASSETS COLLECTED?
From Amr bin Shu'ayb, who relates from his father, who relates from his grandfather, may Allah be pleased with them all, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Wealth does not come nor go away. The zakah of wealthy people is only taken from their dwellings.”
According to a report from Muhammad ibn Ishaq: Regarding the statement, "It is not brought nor driven away," he said: Zakat of livestock is taken where it is found. There is no bringing [it] to the collector; rather, it is collected where the animals are habitually located. When taking this obligation, the owner is not removed from his property.
Ibn Ishaq continues: The property should not be brought to the collector in a place distant and separate from the owner; rather, the zakat should be taken from the owner’s property [his dwelling].
COMMENTARY
The phrase "no bringing" means that the collector of the zakat of livestock goes to the pasture or watering place where the animals are accustomed to go daily. He collects the zakat there. It is not permissible for him to reside in a distant location and send word to the owner, instructing him to bring his property there, thus causing him hardship. And "no driving away" means that the owner should not drive his livestock to a distant place so as to cause the collector hardship, nor should he say to the owner, “Withdraw,” such that the collector goes to the property and acts as if he were its original owner. Thus, neither the owner nor the collector should be put to hardship; both sides should act with consideration. The owner should remain near his property, in a suitable place within his pasture, and the collector should perform his duty.