Why is it not a condition for Zakāt on crops and livestock to be free from debt?

The majority of jurists hold that debt does not prevent zakat on apparent wealth (such as crops and livestock) due to the strong obligation of zakat on them, as the hearts of the poor are attached to them, and because the zakat collector does not inquire about the owner's debt.

Ibn Qudamah, in another narration, holds that debt prevents zakat on all types of wealth (apparent and hidden), because the debtor is in need, and zakat is obligatory upon the wealthy.

Al-Baji differentiates between wealth to which debt is attached (such as gold and silver), where debt takes precedence and nullifies the ruling of zakat, and wealth for which zakat is specifically due and to which debt is not attached (such as crops and livestock), where zakat takes precedence over debt.