Egyptian Fatwa Explains Why Gold 21 Carat is Used for Zakat Threshold
The Egyptian Dar al-Ifta clarified the legal and practical reasons for using 21-carat gold as the basis for calculating zakat, highlighting its balance between precision and economic reality.
Dar al-Ifta explained that the choice of 21-carat gold for determining the zakat threshold is not arbitrary, but aligns with common practice and the objectives of Islamic law, ensuring balance between the rich and the needy.
The 21-carat standard reflects current trading realities and approximates the gold dinar used in early Islamic times. Many scholars note that customary practice is valid in Sharia as long as it does not conflict with explicit texts.
The Fatwa stressed that precise zakat calculation must consider modern economic changes, as the dinar is no longer in circulation, and the type of gold is closely linked to its purity and the proportion of mixed metals.
Pure gold is naturally soft, requiring the addition of metals like silver, copper, or palladium to form durable coins and jewelry. The percentage of these metals differentiates 18, 21, and 24-carat gold.
Hence, 21-carat gold is ideal for zakat, striking a balance between the high purity of 24-carat and the mixed nature of 18-carat, ensuring fairness while considering people’s economic conditions, as detailed in Burhan al-Din al-Matrazzi’s Al-Maghrib fi Tartib al-Mu‘arrab.
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