Is Zakat Obligatory on Gold Received for Personal Use (Wedding Jewelry)?
Question
I received 100 grams of gold from my in-laws’ house and my father’s house for my wedding, alhamdulillah. I received this gold for my own personal use. Is it obligatory to pay zakat on it, since the gold is not for storage or trade?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain.
This question relates to zakat on gold jewelry, and whether intended personal use affects zakat obligation. The scholars discussed this issue in detail, and there is a well-known difference of opinion.
1. The Shar‘i Context
Zakat on gold and silver is established by clear textual evidence.
Allah says:
“And those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah – give them tidings of a painful punishment.”
Surat at Tawbah 9:34
The Prophet said:
“There is no zakat on wealth until a year has passed over it.”
Reported in the Sunan
Gold becomes zakatable when:
- It reaches the nisab
- A full lunar year (hawl) passes while in ownership
The nisab for gold is 85 grams.
2. Scholarly Discussion on Jewelry Used for Adornment
The scholars differed regarding gold jewelry used for personal adornment:
- Hanafi school:
Zakat is obligatory on all gold and silver, whether used for adornment or stored, as long as it reaches the nisab and a year passes. They relied on the generality of the Qur’anic verses and reports concerning zakat on gold without exemption. - Maliki, Shafii, and Hanbali schools:
Zakat is not obligatory on gold jewelry used for permissible personal adornment, provided it is:- Customary
- Not excessive
- Not intended for storage or investment
They distinguished between hoarded wealth and personal-use items, treating jewelry like clothing rather than savings.
3. Application to Your Case
You received 100 grams of gold, which:
- Exceeds the gold nisab (85 grams)
- Is owned by you personally
- Was given for personal use, not trade or saving
Based on this:
- According to the Hanafi school, zakat is obligatory on this gold if one lunar year passes, even though it is used jewelry.
- According to the majority of scholars, zakat is not obligatory if the gold is genuinely used for permissible adornment and not held as savings.
Both opinions are well-established and supported by classical scholarship.
4. Relevant Usul Principles
العام يبقى على عمومه ما لم يرد تخصيص
A general ruling remains general unless specified.
This principle supports the Hanafi view, which applies the general obligation of zakat on gold to all forms of gold ownership.
الحكم يدور مع علته وجودا وعدما
A ruling follows its effective cause.
When gold functions as stored wealth, zakat applies. When it functions purely as personal use, many scholars held the cause for zakat is absent.
Final Ruling
Since your gold exceeds the nisab and is owned by you personally:
- If you follow the Hanafi school, zakat is obligatory on the 100 grams of gold once a lunar year passes.
- If you follow the Maliki, Shafii, or Hanbali schools, zakat is not obligatory on gold jewelry used for personal adornment, as long as it is not excessive or intended as savings.
If you wish to be cautious and earn additional reward, paying zakat on it is permissible and virtuous, but not required according to the majority view.
And Allah knows best.