What Constitutes the Type of Jewellery-Wearing, that Obviates the Need to Pay Zakat Thereon?

Question

According to the Shafi‘i School, Zakat does not have to be paid for worn jewelry. Is this the official position of the School? If so, how long must one wear it for this ruling to apply? Someone told me that even just wearing it briefly would suffice.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.

Zakat is not compulsory on lawful, permissible jewelry that is reasonable (not excessive) if the lady uses her jewelry (even once a year) and does not hoard it as an investment. And Allah knows best.

The official position of the Shafi‘i School (as well as the Maliki and Hanbali Schools) is that Zakat is not payable on jewelry that is kept for use. [Ibn Hajar Haytami, Hawashi Sharwani Wa Ibn Qasim ‘Abbadi ‘Ala Tuhfat Al-Muhtaj Bi Sharh Al-Minhaj; Karaan, Shafi‘iFiqh.com]

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I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.