◈ Zakah on Gold and Silver: A Detailed Explanation ◈
✍ Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
❀ Zakah Obligation on Gold and Silver
Zakah becomes obligatory on gold and silver once the full lunar year passes over them, provided they meet the minimum threshold (Nisab). The due amount is:
✔ One-fortieth (1⁄40) or 2.5% of the total value.
✿ The Condition of One Full Year
➊ Narrated by ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها, the Prophet ﷺ said:
لا زكاة فى مال حتى يحول عليه الحول
“There is no Zakah due on wealth until one full year has passed over it.”
[Sahih: Sahih Ibn Majah 1449, Bayhaqi 4/95, Dar Qutni 2/91, Irwa al-Ghalil 787]
➋ Narrated by ‘Ali رضي الله عنه:
ليس فى مال زكاة حتى يحول عليه الحول
“There is no Zakah due on wealth until one full year passes over it.”
[Sahih: Sahih Abu Dawood 1391, Abu Dawood 1573; although there is difference over its being Marfu‘, even as a Mawquf narration it holds authoritative weight, as no Ijtihad is involved. See: Nasb al-Rayah 2/329, Irwa al-Ghalil 2543, 787]
✿ Scholarly Consensus
- Majority of jurists hold that the passage of one full lunar year (Hijri year) is a condition for the obligation of Zakah on:
❖ Gold
❖ Silver
❖ Trade Goods
❖ Livestock
[References: Al-Mughni 4/73, Al-Hidayah 2/261, Fiqh az-Zakah 1/162] - Ibn Qudamah, Amir San‘ani, and other jurists support this view.
Amir San‘ani: This hadith proves that Zakah is not obligatory until a year passes. This is the view of the Jumhoor (majority).
[Subul as-Salam 2/806]
Ibn al-Qayyim: The divine wisdom in mandating Zakah once every year is to ensure fairness—had it been monthly or weekly, it would burden the rich; if once in a lifetime, it would neglect the poor.
[Zad al-Ma‘ad 2/6]
Shawkani: Considering the completion of a full year is necessary for Zakah.
[Nayl al-Awṭār 3/95]
✿ Zakah on Newly Acquired Wealth
◈ Zakah is not due on newly acquired wealth until a full year passes over it.
➌ Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
من استفاد مالا فلا زكاة عليه حتى يحول عليه الحول
“Whoever acquires wealth, no Zakah is due on it until a full year passes over it.”
[Sahih: Sahih Tirmidhi 515, Tirmidhi 631–632, Ibn Majah 1792]
✅ Summary of Key Points
❖ Zakah is only due on gold and silver (and related wealth) after:
① Reaching Nisab, and
② One lunar year has passed.
❖ The rate is 2.5% (1⁄40) of the total amount.
❖ No Zakah is due on new wealth until a full year passes from the date of acquisition.
