Answer to Question
18-Karat Gold has Value and Zakat is Paid for it

To: Samir Ibrahim
(Translated)

Question/Comment:

(The headline of the issue number 836 was “Zakat is Applied on the Pure Gold”.

Does18-Karat gold also have material value?) end.

Answer:

Your comment regarding the headline of issue number 836 is a part of a Question & Answer dated 2 Safar 1437 AH 14/11/2015 CE, and this is the text provided in the referred headline:

The Hukm (rule) of the Zakat on gold specified for pure gold of 24 karats, as well as the Hukm of the Zakat on the silver specified for pure silver. If gold or silver was mixed with other substances, the weight of those other substances is subtracted according to its amount, where whatever has remained after the subtraction has reached the Nisab. So, if a person owned 85 grams of 18 karat gold, it would not have reached the Nisab because the amount of pure gold in it is less than 85 grams. The Zakat on a block of gold of 24 karats is different from a block of the same weight of 18 karats, and the pure gold, when accounting for the Nisab, would make the Nisab of the gold of 24 karats 85 grams, but the Nisab of the gold of 18 karats would be more than that because it is mixed with materials other than gold being a quarter of the amount. Therefore, the gold of 18 karats has pure gold in it equal to ¾ of the gold of 24 karats, and upon that the Nisab of the gold of 18 karats is 1 and 1/3 of the Nisab of the pure gold which is 113.33 grams. Upon that, whoever owns 85 grams of pure gold of 24 karats would have reached the Nisab, so if a year has passed over it, he will need to pay the Zakat of 2.5% of its weight, but the one who owns 85 grams of gold of 18 karats, it has not reached the Nisab until what he owns reaches 113.33 grams, and if a year has passed over it, then he has to pay the Zakat of 2.5% of its weight, and it is clear here that the meaning behind the Zakat is on pure gold.

I was surprised by your comment because it is understood from it that we disregarded the value of 18-karat gold in our answer, and that we did not make a value for it, although it is clear in the answer that the 18-karat gold has a value and zakat applies to it, but its value is less than the value of the 24-karat gold if their weight was one. Therefore, we outlined with regards to determining the zakat nisab of 18-karat good that: (1 and 1/3 of the Nisab of the pure gold which is 113.33 grams. Upon that, whoever owns 85 grams of pure gold of 24 karats would have reached the Nisab, so if a year has passed over it, he will need to pay the Zakat of 2.5% of its weight).

So the value of the 18-karat gold in the answer is not disregarded, but it is fixed, and its zakat is provided if it reached the total nisaab, just as the 24-karat gold’s zakat should be provided if it reaches the full nisab. All that it is about is that the proportion of each one’s nisab differs because a quarter of the 18-karat gold is mixed with other metals. I don’t know the reason for your comment except if you read it in a hurry! So re-read it with contemplation. May Allah have mercy on you.

I ask Allah to guide everyone to the consciousness of what is right.

Your brother,

Ata Bin Khalil Abu Al-Rashtah

01 Dhul Qi’dah 1440 AH

Corresponding 04/07/2019 CE

The link to the answer from the Ameer’s Facebook page.