Ruling on paying Zakah on gold and silver

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Q 1: What is the Zakah (obligatory charity) on precious raw metals such as gold and silver? Is the Zakah due on them based on the completion of a Hawl (one lunar year calculated from the time a property reaches the minimum amount upon which Zakah is due) or after refining them like crops? Please advise us on this matter. Thank you!

A 1: If gold and silver are kept as property, then, Zakah is due on them if they reach Nisab (the minimum amount on which Zakah is due) and a Hawl (one lunar year calculated from the time a property reaches the minimum amount upon which Zakah is due) elapses while they are in possession. The Nisab of gold is twenty Mithqals (1 Mithqal = 4.25 grams) while the silver Nisab is one hundred and forty Mithqals. If they are used for articles of merchandise, then Zakah is due on them if they reach Nisab and a Hawl elapses.May Allah grant us success. May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his Companions!