Liaison office of Grand Ayatullah Sayyid Ali Al Sistani (L.M.H.L) in London, Europe, North and South America.
1904. There are two taxable limits of gold: The first limit is 20
mithqals (Sharee'), one mithqal being equal to 3.456 gms. Hence when the
quantity of gold reaches 20 mithqals and other requisite conditions are also
fulfilled, one should pay 1/40th part of it, which is equal to 1.728 gms, as
Zakat.
And if the quantity of gold does not reach this limit, it is not obligatory
to pay Zakat on it. The second taxable limit of gold is applicable when gold, in
addition to 20 mithqal sharee' is further increased. If an additional of 4
mithqal sharee' takes place to 20 sharee' mithqals , one should pay Zakat on the
total quantity at the rate of 2.5%.
And if the addition is less than 4 sharee' mithqals, Zakat will be payable
on 20 sharee' mithqals only; and it will not be obligatory to pay it on the
additional quantity. The same rule applies as and when ongoing additions take
place in the quantity of gold, like, if a further increase of 4 mithqals takes
place, Zakat should be paid on the entire quantity, and if the increase is less
than that, no Zakat will be payable.