Is Zakah required on gold and silver jewelry intended for personal use?

Praise be to Allah

Summary: The more correct opinion is , one must give Zakat on all jewelry whether it’s been worn or not. The gold needs to meet the Nisab limit and needs to be in the possession of a person for a whole lunar year. Eligibility criteria is you need to be a sane adult Muslim with value equal to or above 87.4 gram of pure gold ..or 612.36 gram of pure silver

Detailed Answer:

The prevailing opinion among scholars is that Zakah should be paid on all gold and silver jewelry, whether worn or not. Here are the essential points:

1. Nisab Threshold:
   • Gold must meet the Nisab limit, which is the minimum amount that triggers the obligation of Zakah. For gold, the Nisab is 87.48 grams of pure gold, and for silver, it is 612.36 grams of pure silver.
2. Duration of Possession:
   • The gold or silver must have been in the person’s possession for a full lunar year.
3. Eligibility:
   • The individual must be a sane, adult Muslim who owns wealth exceeding the Nisab limit.

Scholarly Perspectives:

• Some scholars hold that Zakah is obligatory on all gold and silver jewelry, including those intended for personal adornment. They reference the Quranic verse:
  • “And those who hoard up gold and silver and spend them not in the way of Allah, announce unto them a painful torment.” [At-Tawbah 9:34]
• Supporting Hadith:
  • A hadith reported by Abu Dawood, An-Nasa’i, and At-Tirmidhi from ‘Amr ibn Shu’ayb from his father from his grandfather describes a woman who came to the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) with her daughter wearing two heavy gold bracelets. The Prophet asked, “Do you pay Zakah on these?” She replied, “No.” He said, “Would you like Allah to replace them with bracelets of fire on the Day of Resurrection?” She then took them off and gave them to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), saying, “These are for Allah and His Messenger.” (Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa’i, Ad-Daraqutni, and Al-Bayhaqi).
• Another Hadith:
  • Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported wearing gold jewelry and asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), “Is this Kanz (hoarded wealth)?” He replied, “If it reaches the amount at which Zakah is obligatory, then pay the Zakah on it. Then it will not be Kanz.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, Ad-Daraqutni, Al-Hakim, and Al-Bayhaqi).

Differing Views:

• Some scholars argue that personal jewelry does not require Zakah, likening it to clothing and other personal items, which are exempt from Zakah. They cite practices of the Companions, such as Aishah and Asma’ bint Abu Bakr, who did not pay Zakah on their jewelry.

Conclusion:

The stronger opinion, supported by hadith and scholarly analysis, is that Zakah is required on gold and silver jewelry intended for personal use if it meets the Nisab and has been in possession for a lunar year. This understanding aligns with the broader Islamic principles of wealth purification.

And Allah Knows Best