How does one who owes the zakat of a single sheep discharge it? Is it permissible for him to slaughter it and distribute its meat to the poor, or should he give it unslaughtered to one or two poor individuals? And what is incumbent upon him regarding the manner of its discharge?

Whoever owes a single sheep in zakat for their livestock should give it to the poor alive and not slaughtered. If they slaughter it and distribute its meat to the poor, this falls under giving the value in zakat, which is not permissible according to the majority of scholars. The view of the majority is the more cautious approach.

According to the majority, zakat is only obligatory on sheep if they are pastured (sāʾimah), meaning their feed comes from pasture and plants of the earth.