A:
Muslim scholars agree that it is obligatory to pay Zakah on gold and silver jewelry that is not to be worn, or is bought for trading or similar purposes, but if it is jewelry that can be used for adornment or lending, such as silver rings or women’s jewelry, or what is permitted from decorative weapons, the scholars have differed (Part No. 9; Page No. 262) over the obligation of Zakah on this. Some scholars believe that Zakah is obligatory on the jewelry used for adornment, as Allah says:
And those who hoard up gold and silver [Al-Kanz: the money, the Zakât of which has not been paid] and spend them not in the Way of Allâh, announce unto them a painful torment.
Al-Qurtuby said in his explanation of this Ayah (verse):
"Ibn `Umar explained the meaning of this Ayah in the Sahih Book of Hadith by
Al-Bukhari, when a Bedouin once asked him about these Words of Allah:
And those who hoard up gold and silver [Al-Kanz: the money, the Zakât of which has not been paid]
Ibn `Umar said: 'The Ayah warns those who hoard up gold and silver without paying Zakah on them, as this was before (the Ayah about) Zakah was revealed, and when it was revealed it was revealed by Allah to purify wealth.'"
Many Hadith are related stipulating the same, such as the Hadith
related by
Abu Dawud,
Al-Nasa'y, and
Al-Tirmidhy,
from
`Amr ibn Shu`ayb who related it from his father who narrated it from his grandfather saying,
A woman came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and her daughter was with her. On her daughter’s wrist were two heavy gold bracelets. He said to her, "Have you paid the Zakah on them?" She said, "No." He then said, "Will you be at ease if Allah puts two bracelets of fire round your wrists on the Day of Resurrection?" She took them off and gave them to the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying, "They are for Allah and His Messenger."
It was also
related by
Abu Dawud in his "Sunan",
Al-Hakim in his (Part No. 9; Page No. 263) "Mustadrak",
Al-Daraqutny, and
Al-Bayhaqy in their "Sunan",
on the authority of
`Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) who said:
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came to me and saw me wearing silver rings, and he asked, "What is this,
`Aishah?" I replied, "I made them to adorn myself for you, O Messenger of Allah!" He said, "Have you paid the Zakah on them?" I said, "No," or "Whatever Allah wishes." Then he said, "He will make you pay for them in the Fire."
Also it was related that
Um Salamah said:
I used to wear gold ornaments. I asked, "O Messenger of Allah! Is this a treasure?" He replied, "Anything that reaches an amount on which Zakah is payable is not a treasure when the Zakah is paid."
Some of the scholars say that no Zakah is payable on jewelry used for adornment, because it is like clothing or goods that are permissible to be used and not for investment. Regarding the aforementioned Ayah, they say that it is a special case confined to the Prophet's Sahabah (Companions, may Allah be pleased with them). It was
authentically related
that
`Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) used to look after the orphaned daughters of her brother in her house. They had jewelry that they wore, and she did not pay Zakah on this jewelry.
Al-Daraqutny also narrated with the same Sanad (chain of narrators)
that
Asma' bint Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her) used to put gold objects on her daughters valued at 50,000 dirhams, but she did not pay Zakah on (Part No. 9; Page No. 264) them.
Abu `Ubayd said in his book "Al-'Amwal":
Isma`il ibn Ibrahim narrated from
Ayyub, from
Nafi`, that
Ibn `Umar married his daughters to their suitors for (a Mahr [dowry] of) 10,000 dinars, including 4,000 dinars for jewelry. They did not pay any Zakah on that.”
Abu `Ubayd said that
Isma`il ibn Ibrahim related from
Ayyub that
`Amr ibn Dinar said, "When
Jabir Ibn `Abdullah was asked, 'Is there Zakah on jewelry?' He replied, 'No,' He was asked, 'Even if its value is 10,000 dinars?' Jabir said, 'Even if its value is more than that'."
In response to the Hadith on the obligation to pay Zakah on jewelry, some scholars say their Sanad are Da`if (weak) and they cannot be used.
Ibn Hazm said in his book "Al-Muhalla": "These are weak narrations that should not be used."
Al-Tirmidhy after narrating the aforementioned Hadith reported by
`Amr ibn Shu`ayb from his father from his grandfather said, "There is nothing in this chapter authentically related from the Prophet (peace be upon him).”
Ibn Badr Al-Mawsily commented in his book "Al-Mughny 'an Al-Hifzh wal-Kitab", that there was nothing authentic in the chapter on "Zakah on Jewelry" and said, "There is nothing in this chapter authentically related from the Prophet (peace be upon him)."
Al-Shawkany commented in his book "Al-Sayl Al-Jarrar" (Part No. 9; Page No. 265) on "Al-Mughny 'an Al-Hifzh wal-Kitab" saying: "No authentic Hadith was related about Zakah on jewelry." Some scholars believe the Zakah is obligatory if it is not used.The preferred opinion on this issue is that Zakah is obligatory on jewelry if it reaches the Nisab (the minimum amount on which Zakah is due), or it does so when combined with other silver, gold, or other commercial commodities that one owns, as many Hadith show a general obligation to pay Zakah on silver and gold and there is nothing specific as far as we know. Also, the aforementioned Hadith narrated by
`Abdullah Ibn `Amr Ibn Al-`As,
`Aishah, and
Um Salamah have good Sanads and sound texts, so they should be acted upon.As for
Al-Tirmidhy,
Ibn Hazm, and
Al-Mawsily deeming these Hadith as Da'if (weak), this is incorrect as far as we know.
Al-Tirmidhy (may Allah be merciful to him) is excused for his opinion, because he reported the Hadith narrated by
`Abdullah Ibn `Amr through weak sources,
but
Abu Dawud,
Al-Nasa'y, and
Ibn Majah related another version of this Hadith that was authentic. Maybe
Al-Tirmidhy did not see this version.
May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.