Camels were once an important part of the economy and remain a source of wealth. Traditionally, camels could be used for a bride’s dowry and for diyyah, the sum of money, or its equivalent, that should be paid to the family of someone who has been killed.

As a valued commodity, camel are counted as accumulated wealth and owners must give alms, or zakat, one of the five Pillars of Islam.

There are clear rules about the amount of zakat to be paid for the number of camels owned. Here is the amount of zakat owed, according to a book by the Camel Race Association of the UAE. However, suggested amounts can vary.

If a man owns five camels, he must give a zakat equivalent to a goat of at least two years. If a man owns 15 camels, he must give a zakat equivalent to three adult goats. If a man owns 25 camels, he must give a zakat equivalent to a one-year-old female camel or a two-year-old male camel.

The list continues:

26-45 camels: one two year old female

46-60 camels: one three year old female

61-75 camels: one four year old female

76-90 camels: two, two year old females

91-120 camels: For every 40, one two-year-old female and for every 50, one three year old female, or its equivalent.

Zakat is also obligatory for sheep, goats, cows and domestic buffaloes that have been owned for a year.

Now you know.