Zakat on Jewelry?

 The Woman pays Zakat or Her Husband?

Zakat on wedding jewelry is one of the most neglected financial duties in Muslim households. Lavish gold sets are gifted to brides, worn with pride, but often without realizing the spiritual responsibility that comes with them. What begins as a glittering gesture of love can turn into an unintended act of negligence — not just by the giver but more so by the receiver.

An Overlooked Obligation

Gold jewelry holds deep emotional and cultural value, especially in South Asian Muslim weddings. However, very few take into account that zakat on wedding jewelry — 2.5% of its value annually if it meets the Nisab threshold — is a religious obligation.

This is not a “man’s duty by default.” The core question is: Who owns the jewelry? Because in Islam, zakat is due on the owner, not the one who paid for it or gifted it.

Who Is Responsible for Zakat on Wedding Jewelry?

The misconception that husbands are responsible for all financial duties — including zakat on their wives’ gold — has unfortunately taken root in many households. But the truth is clear: if a woman owns gold, then she is accountable for paying zakat on wedding jewelry, even if it was gifted to her by her husband, parents, or in-laws.

“The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘There is no zakat on property until one possesses it.'” — Abu Dawood

Ownership is the key criterion.

So if the bridal jewelry is in the wife’s name and under her ownership, the zakat is her responsibility, not her husband’s — unless he voluntarily agrees to pay it on her behalf every year.

The Problem of Silent Neglect

Sadly, many brides wear their gold on their wedding day, pack it away in a locker, and forget all about it — including its zakat dues. Even more troubling is that this zakat may remain unpaid for years, building up into a spiritual debt that she might not even be aware of.

Even if the jewelry is rarely used or part of a bridal collection stored away, zakat on wedding jewelry still applies annually.

This silent neglect can cause spiritual harm — turning a symbol of blessing into an unseen burden.

Let’s Talk Numbers: Zakat on Wedding Jewelry

Here’s a simple way to calculate it:

 Weigh all gold items you own.
2. Check the market rate per gram.
3. Multiply the total weight by the market price to get the total value.
4. If this total exceeds the nisab (approximately the value of 85 grams of gold), then:
5. Pay 2.5% of the total value as zakat.

Example:

If your gold jewelry weighs 100 grams and gold is ₹6,000/gram,

– Total value = ₹600,000
– Zakat = 2.5% of ₹600,000 = ₹15,000 per year

You are required to pay this amount annually — from your own money.

Spiritual and Social Implications

Think about it: How many Muslim women own gold worth lakhs — yet don’t realize that they’ve been spiritually liable for unpaid zakat for years?

When such jewelry is given without the understanding of this responsibility, the couple unknowingly starts their marital life with unfulfilled obligations. That’s why we say: Break the 

Golden Trap.

Let’s teach brides — and their families — that every glittering necklace comes with a divine trust.

Men’s Role: Support, Not Responsibility

Islam places the responsibility of zakat on the owner of the wealth. However, a kind and pious husband may choose to assist or offer to pay it — and this is a noble gesture — but not an obligation.

Men are not accountable for what they do not own. So if the wife owns the jewelry, she must pay her zakat. If she doesn’t have cash, she can:

– Sell part of the gold to pay zakat
– Save a little yearly to cover it
– Or receive it as a gift from her husband, family, or others — but the obligation is still hers

Let’s Break the Golden Trap

Muslim weddings are becoming heavier by the year — not just financially, but spiritually. The excessive gifting of jewelry without educating brides about zakat leads to silent sins carried for years.

It’s time we combine beauty with barakah.

Let’s enrich our daughters not just with ornaments, but with knowledge. Let’s ensure that the gift of gold never becomes the cause of regret.

Actionable Steps for Brides

– Know the weight and value of your jewelry
– Calculate your zakat yearly
– Pay it — even if in small portions — with the right intention
– If you’ve missed past years, estimate and pay it back gradually
– Ask Allah for forgiveness for past neglect

     “Purify your wealth — and your soul — with zakat. It’s not just a payment; it’s worship.”

Let’s start our marriages not just with ceremonies, but with clarity, consciousness, and compliance to Allah’s command.