SPIRITUAL WEALTH: THE GUIDE TO ZAKAT ON GOLD AND SILVER

Zakat on Gold: A Pillar of Faith and Social Equity

Zakat, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is a system of almsgiving that is mandatory for all Muslims possessing a requisite amount of wealth. It is not only an expression of worship but also a means to ensure social justice and economic equality. One of the assets on which Zakat is often applied is gold and silver, a common form of savings and investment in many Muslim societies.

Definition and Objective of Zakat

Zakat is defined as a form of almsgiving to the less fortunate and needy. It is obligatory upon every adult, sane, and financially able Muslim. The main objective of Zakat is to purify one’s wealth, assist those in need, and maintain a balance within the economic ecosystem. The rate of Zakat is usually 2.5% of the qualifying assets owned by an individual for a lunar year.

Zakat on Gold:

Zakat on gold is an essential Islamic practice, pointed toward advancing monetary fairness and civil rights. It is compulsory for Muslims who have gold over the Nisab, around 85 grams, for one lunar year to pay 2.5% of its worth as Zakat. This training is well established in the lessons of the Quran and the Sunnah and is viewed as a type of cleaning for the abundance of the individual, encouraging a feeling of local area, compassion, and care for the less favored. By noticing Zakat on gold, Muslims effectively add to easing neediness and decreasing abundance dissimilarity inside the general public, adjusting their activities to the heavenly standards of reasonableness and empathy.

Zakat on Silver:

Zakat on silver is a fundamental part of Islamic abundance cleansing and rearrangement framework, guaranteeing the prosperity of the local area by tending to financial lopsided characteristics. People having silver over the predetermined Nisab, roughly 595 grams, for a total lunar year are committed to pay 2.5% of its worth as Zakat. Established in the heavenly precepts of the Quran and the lessons of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Zakat on silver is a way to teach a feeling of obligation, compassion, and mutual fortitude among Muslims. It isn't simply a monetary commitment yet a profound demonstration that aides in cultivating a feeling of fellowship and shared care, focusing on a more evenhanded and agreeable society.

Divine Command

Gold and silver are subject to Zakat as per the explicit command of Allah in the Qur’an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Quran states, “And those who hoard up gold and silver (Al‑Kanz: the money, the Zakatable wealth), and spend them not in the way of Allah, announce unto them a painful torment” (At-Tawbah 9:34).

Tradition of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Several Hadiths (sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH) establish the obligation of Zakat on gold and silver. The Prophet set clear guidelines on the Nisab (minimum threshold) for gold and silver and illustrated the principles and rules regarding the calculation and distribution of Zakat.

Wealth Preservation

Gold and silver are traditional stores of value and mediums of exchange. They have intrinsic value and are less susceptible to inflation and market fluctuations compared to currency and other assets. Since they are reliable forms of wealth preservation, they are included in the assets on which Zakat is due.

Liquidity and Universality

Gold and silver are easily tradable and universally accepted. Their liquidity makes them an appropriate source for Zakat, as they can readily be converted into other forms of aid or support for the recipients.

Social Justice and Equity

Zakat on gold and silver is a means of promoting social justice and reducing economic disparities within the community. By mandating the affluent to distribute a portion of their wealth, Islam aims to ensure the well-being of the less fortunate and establish economic balance.

Spiritual Purification

Paying Zakat on gold and silver leads to spiritual purification and moral upliftment of the believers. It nurtures empathy, generosity, and a sense of communal responsibility among Muslims, encouraging them to be mindful of the needs of others.

Economic Circulation

The payment of Zakat on gold and silver fosters economic circulation and prevents the hoarding of wealth. It stimulates economic activity and ensures the equitable distribution of resources within the society.

 

The inclusion of gold and silver in the assets subjected to Zakat is deeply rooted in Islamic principles aiming at social justice, economic equity, and the well-being of the community. By adhering to the divine commandments regarding Zakat on these precious metals, Muslims participate in a profound act of worship, which reinforces moral values and fosters a sense of brotherhood and compassion within the Ummah.