How is the zakat due on an amount of EGP 18,000 calculated, given that it is the product of investing EGP 1,000 in sheep farming for 12 years, without knowing the details of reaching the nisab or the regularity of its growth? And is zakat paid from the original capital itself or from other funds? And does the fluctuating value of the Egyptian pound affect the amount of zakat that must be paid?

Zakat on Sheep:

Sheep bought for trade: Zakat on trade goods is obligatory on them if their value reaches the nisab (595 grams of silver) and a full lunar year (hawl) passes over them. Sheep bought for breeding and reproduction (non-sa'imah): There is no zakat on them if they are fed [and not left to pasture]. Pasturing sheep (sa'imah): Zakat is obligatory on them if they reach 40 sheep.

Application to the Mother's Case:

If the mother's intention was trade: The value of the sheep is estimated when they reach the nisab, and that marks the beginning of the hawl. Zakat is then obligatory on their value annually. If the mother's intention was breeding and preserving wealth (and she did not firmly intend to sell): There is no zakat on them unless she sells them, and a hawl passes over their price. If she bought something for personal use with this money before the hawl, there is no zakat on her. If the purchase was made after a hawl, then zakat is due for the preceding hawl or two hawls, and then no zakat is due on her. If she bought with it for trade, then zakat is continuous and the hawl is not interrupted. In the event of the mother's passing and her intention is unknown: The situation of the relatives who invested the money is considered: If they were traders: The sheep are considered trade goods. If they were farmers (raising for growth, breeding, and milk): They are not trade goods, and there is no zakat on them unless a hawl passes over the money itself after it is received.

Miscellaneous Rulings:

Paying Zakat: It is not necessary to pay zakat from the actual asset on which zakat is due (e.g., by selling the sheep); rather, it can be paid from any other money. Uncertainty about the exact amount of Zakat: The muzakki (person paying zakat) should exert effort, investigate, and act based on what they most likely believe to be true to absolve their responsibility. Value of the pound: It is used only to determine whether the money has reached the nisab or not. The nisab is equivalent to 595 grams of silver.