My wife has some gold, and it’s time for us to pay Zakat. Do I have to pay Zakat on her behalf on that gold, or should my wife pay herself Zakat on that Gold.
Question number: 671
Date posted: 2004-10-18
Answer:
If your wife has her own income then she should be the person paying zakah for the gold she has in her possession. If, on the other hand, she has no income then as her husband it is a perfect gesture of good will for you to offer to pay it on her behalf. If you don’t pay, then she must certainly pay it by whatever means possible, even if she has to sell part of the jewellery itself.
Zakah is applicable to jewellery if it exceeds seven tolas (which is approximately equivalent of two and half ounces). The way to go about it is to weigh the gold and if it exceeds seven tolas then it should be estimated, and zakah should be taken out at the rate of two and half percent of the total net value. The above procedure should be repeated every year, since the value of gold fluctuates every year. If the jewellery is below seven tolas, then it is exempt from Zakah, especially if one were in the habit of wearing or lending it to others to wear.
