Fatwa by: Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Shaykh Ibn Baz (رحمه الله)
Question:
I own many utensils for household use, some for daily use, some for general gatherings, and others for special occasions. I prefer using my own utensils rather than borrowing or renting from others, as borrowed utensils in my area are often unclean. I store these utensils in cabinets and sometimes lend them to relatives and neighbors. I heard in a women's gathering that we will be held accountable for all our possessions, including utensils, and that we may be punished with these items on the Day of Judgment. Should I give these utensils in charity, or should I pay zakat on them, or is zakat not obligatory on such items? What should I do?
Answer:
There is no problem with what you have described, and zakat is not obligatory on these utensils because they are not for sale but for personal use and to assist others. The person who told you that keeping these utensils is impermissible is mistaken and lacks knowledge. They have spoken about Allah and His religion without proper understanding, and they should repent and refrain from issuing such rulings without knowledge. Allah has strictly prohibited speaking about Him without knowledge, as stated in the Qur'an:
"Say, 'My Lord has only forbidden immoralities—what is apparent of them and what is concealed—and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down any authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know.'"
(Surah Al-A'raf, 7:33)
In another verse, Allah informs us that it is Satan who commands people to speak without knowledge about Allah:
"O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy. He only orders you to evil and immorality and to say about Allah what you do not know."
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:168-169)
And Allah knows best.
Question:
I own many utensils for household use, some for daily use, some for general gatherings, and others for special occasions. I prefer using my own utensils rather than borrowing or renting from others, as borrowed utensils in my area are often unclean. I store these utensils in cabinets and sometimes lend them to relatives and neighbors. I heard in a women's gathering that we will be held accountable for all our possessions, including utensils, and that we may be punished with these items on the Day of Judgment. Should I give these utensils in charity, or should I pay zakat on them, or is zakat not obligatory on such items? What should I do?
Answer:
There is no problem with what you have described, and zakat is not obligatory on these utensils because they are not for sale but for personal use and to assist others. The person who told you that keeping these utensils is impermissible is mistaken and lacks knowledge. They have spoken about Allah and His religion without proper understanding, and they should repent and refrain from issuing such rulings without knowledge. Allah has strictly prohibited speaking about Him without knowledge, as stated in the Qur'an:
"Say, 'My Lord has only forbidden immoralities—what is apparent of them and what is concealed—and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down any authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know.'"
(Surah Al-A'raf, 7:33)
In another verse, Allah informs us that it is Satan who commands people to speak without knowledge about Allah:
"O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy. He only orders you to evil and immorality and to say about Allah what you do not know."
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:168-169)
And Allah knows best.