Zakat, a specified amount of wealth mandated by Allah for all financially able Muslims to give to their less fortunate brothers and sisters in faith, varies slightly in its obligations on gold among the four Islamic jurisprudential schools.
In another article, we discussed the opinions of other jurisprudential schools. This article will focus on the jurisprudential view of the Maliki school regarding the conditions for zakat on gold, how to calculate it, and when it becomes obligatory according to the Maliki school.
Is Zakat Due on Gold According to the Malikis?
After reviewing numerous scholarly sources, it is noted that while all schools have agreed on zakat for gold, they differed on whether gold intended for personal use is subject to zakat. The Maliki school posits that gold, such as bracelets for women intended for personal adornment, is exempt from zakat.
Malik stated, “For all jewelry that women wear for adornment, there is no zakat on them.” He further clarified, “If a woman made jewelry to rent out for brides’ adornment, such as bridal gowns and similar items, there is no zakat on it.”
Conditions for Zaka on Gold According to the Malikis
The Maliki school mandates zakat on gold provided the following conditions are met:
- Islam: Zakat is not obligatory on non-Muslims.
- Type of Metal: Only gold and silver are metals on which zakat is obligatory.
- Pure Gold: The metal must be pure and unalloyed.
- Meeting the Nisab Threshold t: Zakat comes obligatory if the quantity of gold or silver reaches the nisab threshold and a lunar year has passed since its acquisition.
Nisab Threshold for Gold in the Maliki School
The nisab threshold, according to the Maliki school, is when the pure, unalloyed gold reaches twenty mithqals, equivalent to 85 grams of 24-karat gold, and a lunar year has passed.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “No zakat is due on wealth until a year passes over it” (Sunan Abi Dawud).
How to Calculate Zakat on Gold According to the Malikis
Zakat on gold is calculated by taking a quarter of a tenth (2.5%) of its total value after confirming the ownership of the nisab threshold amount of pure gold.
For example, if the price of gold per gram is 50 dinars and one owns 100 grams of gold, then 50 x 100 = 5000 dinars, and zakat is calculated as 2.5% of the total value.
When is Zaka on Gold According to the Malikis?
Zakat on gold is obligatory if the gold is intended for trade or is Hoarded Gold, excluding women’s adornment jewelry.
Narrated by Al-Hasan, he said: ‘We do not know of any of the caliphs who said: “Zakat is due on jewelry.”‘ (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah).
And Al-Baji commented on the exemption of zakat on jewelry, saying: ‘This is a clear doctrine among the Companions.’ (Al-Muntaqa Sharh Al-Muwatta’).”
How to Disburse Zakat on Gold According to the Malikis and Its Beneficiaries
Zakat can be disbursed from the gold itself or its equivalent in cash.
Charities are for the poor, the needy, those employed to collect [the funds], for bringing hearts together [for Islam], for freeing captives [or slaves], for those in debt, in the cause of Allah a duty mandated by Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, Wise
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