Zakat on Jewelry 

Answered by Shaykh Abu Usamah

Question:

One scholar told me that we are required to pay zakat on gold or silver jewelry that is worth $1000 or more, aside from jewelry that is worn frequently. Another scholar told me that we only pay zakat on the jewelry that is in EXCESS compared to women on similar status. For example, if I own an amount of jewelry that is NORMAL for women of my status, then I would NOT pay zakat on it, but if I owned MORE than women of my status, then I WOULD pay on the extra jewelry. This is what I understood from their answers. Can someone please clarify this?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Al-Salam alaykum

According to the Hanafi School Zakah is payable on gold and silver jewellery even if it is for use. It has nothing to do with being in excess of the normal amount or $1000 . Yes the condition of the possession of nisab applies in all cases i.e. the total Zakaat-able assets of the person must be equal to or more than the nisab amount (which has to be ascertained from the local ulama.)

Abu Usamah

MMVIII © Qibla.
All rights reserved
No part of this article may be reproduced, displayed, modified, or distributed without the express prior written permission of the copyright holder. For permission, please submit a request at our Helpdesk.

Now What?

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Knowledge is only through study." While some knowledge can be gained from reading or casually listening to lectures, the best means to gain knowledge is through finding a qualified teacher and then setting up a systematic program of learning. Picking up a book or reading an article and trying to figure things out on our own is no substitute for learning from someone who has a direct link to our living tradition.

Through joining an online class at Qibla, you can benefit from convenient, online courses that will give you access to reliable scholars and our popular curriculum learning tracks. Knowledge gained in these courses will both build your iman and assist you in putting into practice what you learn. Don't give yourself less than you deserve, register today.

Related Links:

  1. Why you'll love our courses
  2. How Qibla courses work (video)
  3. What our students say
  4. Our current available courses