Paying other than the prescribed Zakah on grazing livestock

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Q: What is the ruling on a person who should pay three Bint Labun (a two-year-old she-camel) as Zakah but he paid one Haqqah (a three-year-old she-camel) and one Bint Labun (a two-year-old she-camel)? Is this sufficient for him, taking into account that the number of Bint Labun is abundant in his camels? Another person has to pay two Haqqah but he paid two Bint Labun and one Haqqah instead, will this be sufficient although the number of Haqqah is abundant in his camels?

A: It is obligatory that the person who pays Zakah pay the prescribed Zakah for Sa'imah (cattle raised up naturally) and it should not be changed unless he no longer has it because of the Hadith narrated by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) in Sahih Al-Bukhari. If the situation is as you have mentioned, then the person who paid one Haqqah and one Bint Labun instead of three Bint Labun should pay another Bint Labun and the Haqqah will be sufficient for the second Bint Labun because it is higher in rank. The person who paid two Bint Labun and one Haqqah instead of two Haqqah should pay the difference in value between the value of the Haqqah and the value of the two Bint Labun if their value is less than the value of the medium Haqqah. (Part No. 9; Page No. 210) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.