Fatwaa ID: 1119

Question:
Asalaamulikum wrwb,

If someone has never calculated their zakat before and need to understand how they do this process, what are the steps they should follow?

Also I have gold jewelry but I am unable to get to a jeweler who has the proper scale to weigh it as I live in a small town, how can I pay zakat to cover it (even if I pay more) before I get an oppertunity to go to an area with a jeweler to get it weighed.

Kind regards
Jazakallah

Answer:
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh.

1. Firstly, identify your zakaah date. That is the first time you owned the minimum nisaab amount. If you cannot recall and you do not have an approximate date, then choose a specific date. That date will remain your annual zakaah date.
   On that date, add together all your zakaatable assets. This includes, all forms of cash, bank balances, savings, gold, silver, stocks, crypto, trade goods and most investments. If you have debts, deduct them from the total. If the total after deduction is equal to the nisaab or more, then you will pay 2.5% of that.
   Backdate your assets for the previous years using the above date and method. It may be difficult but try your best to recall what you had and how much you had in the previous years. You may estimate to the greater number. Anything extra that you pay will count as nafl.
2. You do not need to take it to a jeweler. You can weigh your gold on a regular kitchen scale. This is generally available easily. If you are unable to do that, you may estimate for the time being and give your zakaah. However, when you do have them measured, then you must reassess for the previous years that you estimated. If there was a deficiency, then you will pay the balance. If you paid extra, you may either count it as nafl or deduct it from the upcoming years.

And Allaah Ta’aala knows best.
Mufti Muajul I. Chowdhury
Darul Iftaa New York
https://askthemufti.us/

10/15/1444 AH – 05/05/2023 CE | AML1-7652

وصل اللهم وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى ءاله وصحبه أجمعين

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