Question
What is the ruling if twenty out of sixty sheep perish after a year?
Answer
He has to give one sheep as zakat for forty sheep; because the loss of the nisab after the year cancels the obligation, and the loss of part of it counts as his share, unlike the consumption by the owner after the year, which does not cancel the obligation. However, if he consumes it before the year is completed, there is no zakat on him due to the lack of the condition.