Zakah on Gold and Silver Jewelry for Personal Usage

Question

Is Zakat due on gold jewelry that is worn for personal use?

Bottom Line

Yes, gold doesn’t escape Zakat just because it’s shiny on your wrist.

Quick Answer

The stronger opinion is that Zakat must be paid on all gold and silver jewelry, whether worn or stored. The Nisab threshold is 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver, and the jewelry must be in possession for one lunar year. Zakat is 2.5% of its value. A minority exempts personal adornment, but the stronger evidence supports obligation.

Key Takeaways

• Nisab: 87.48g gold or 612.36g silver, owned for one lunar year.
• Pay 2.5% of the jewelry’s value in Zakat.
• Majority: Zakat applies to all jewelry, worn or not; minority: exempt from personal use.

Detailed Answer

Zakat is a right of the poor upon the wealth of the rich and applies to gold and silver once they meet the Nisab.

Allah warns:

“And those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend them in the way of Allah give them tidings of a painful punishment.”

Qur’an 9:34

Hadith Evidence

‘Amr ibn Shu’ayb narrated from his father from his grandfather that a woman came to the Prophet ﷺ with her daughter wearing heavy gold bracelets. He asked, “Do you pay Zakat on these?” She said no. He replied, “Would you like Allah to replace them with bracelets of fire on the Day of Resurrection?” She removed them and gave them to the Prophet ﷺ Sunan Abi Dawood 1563; al-Tirmidhi 637

Similarly, Umm Salamah (RA) asked the Prophet ﷺ about her gold jewelry. He said: “If it reaches the amount at which Zakah is obligatory, then pay Zakah on it. That will not be Kanz (hoarded wealth).” Sunan Abi Dawood 1564

Scholarly Discussion

Some scholars, citing practices of Aishah and Asma’ (RA), exempted jewelry worn for adornment. However, the stronger view held by the majority and by contemporary scholars is that Zakat applies to all gold and silver jewelry, because the hadith directly addresses jewelry worn for personal use.

What This Means for You

If your gold jewelry reaches the Nisab (87.48g of gold) and you have owned it for a lunar year, you must pay 2.5% of its value in Zakat, even if it is worn regularly.

And Allah knows best.

References

Primary Sources

Qur’an

1. At-Tawbah 9:34: Warning against hoarding gold and silver without spending in Allah’s way.

Hadith

2. Sunan Abi Dawood 1563; Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi 637: Woman warned for not paying Zakat on gold bracelets.
3. Sunan Abi Dawood 1564: Umm Salamah (RA) instructed to pay Zakat on gold jewelry.

Secondary Sources

4. Ibn Qudamah, al-Mughni (2/584), affirms the obligation of Zakat on jewelry.
5. Al-Nawawi, al-Majmu‘ (5/360): the majority view applies Zakat on all jewelry.
6. Ibn Baz, Majmu‘ Fatawa (14/101): contemporary fatwa confirming obligation.