I have noticed that many people are asking about the ruling on gold zakat and how to calculate it correctly, especially with the spread of gold investments and various jewelry. So I decided to share with you my understanding of the topic from a religious perspective.

The truth is that zakat is not just a financial obligation, but a great act of worship and one of the pillars of Islam. Allah the Almighty said: "Establish prayer and give zakat and obey the Messenger." The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) strongly warned against neglecting it, saying that the owner of gold and silver who does not pay its right will have plates of fire on the Day of Resurrection.

Regarding gold specifically, Sharia has imposed the obligation to pay 2.5% of its value as zakat when certain conditions are met. The first of these conditions is that the gold reaches the nisab, which is 85 grams of pure gold (24 karat). But if you have gold of 21 or 18 karat, the calculation differs a bit.

For example, the nisab for 21-karat gold is about 97 grams because its purity is only 87.5%. For 18-karat, the nisab is about 113 grams because its purity is only 75%. The idea is that the calculation depends on the actual amount of pure gold in the jewelry or bars.

A very important point is that the lunar year (Hijri year) must pass on your ownership of the gold. So, if you buy new gold today, you do not pay zakat on it until after a year. But if you already owned gold before, it is included in the calculation from the first day.

There is a slight difference of opinion among scholars regarding jewelry used for daily adornment. The majority (Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali) say there is no zakat on it, but the Hanafi school says there is zakat even if you wear it. As for gold saved or kept for investment, all scholars agree on the obligation of zakat.

Regarding the practical calculation, the method is very simple:

First: determine your total weight of gold.
Second: multiply the weight by the purity percentage (24 karat = 100%, 21 karat = 87.5%, 18 karat = 75%).
Third: multiply the result by the market price per gram of pure gold.
Fourth: take 2.5% of the final number, and that is the amount of zakat due.

For example, if you have 100 grams of 21-karat gold and the price per gram is 400 riyals, then the calculation is:
100 × 0.875 = 87.5 grams of pure gold
87.5 × 400 = 35,000 riyals
35,000 × 2.5% = 875 riyals

This is the amount of zakat you owe.

It is also important to know that zakat is not given to anyone. Allah has specified only eight categories:
The poor, the needy, those employed to collect zakat, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, freeing captives, those in debt, in the cause of Allah, and the traveler.

There are categories forbidden to receive zakat: the Ahl al-Bayt and Hashimites (except in special cases), the wealthy, disbelievers, and those whose expenses you are responsible for (parents, children, spouses).

A very important point: do not delay paying zakat after the due year has passed. Try to pay it from lawful money, not from old debts. Zakat is a pure act of worship, so do not give it for show or under pressure.

Finally: if you own gold in investment forms (gold funds or mining stocks), zakat is also due on them at the same rate of 2.5% of their market value when the year passes.

Zakat is not just a financial duty; it is purification of the soul and wealth, and it fosters social solidarity. When you pay it with a sincere intention and feel content with it, you will feel blessed in your sustenance and draw closer to Allah.