The fuqahāʾ (jurists) have laid out the principle that whatever maximizes benefit to the poor will be adopted when discharging Zakat.^[1] Scholars in the past regarded silver to maximize benefit for the poor, since the jurists mentioned that basing the niṣāb amount on the lower value of the precious metals obligates more people to pay Zakat, thereby maximizing benefit for the poor. However, given the devaluation of silver in comparison to gold obligating Zakat, Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr, and Uḍḥiyya on someone who does not meet the threshold for gold niṣāb but meets the very low amount of the silver niṣāb, someone who themselves are financially unstable, would result in more harm than benefit. Therefore, the more practical approach and one that is more in line with the principle of maximizing benefit for the poor is to adopt the gold niṣāb for Zakat, as explained in more detail by the American Fiqh Academy’s resolution on the topic.^[2]

However, if someone who meets the silver niṣāb but not the gold niṣāb wishes to still pay Zakat out of precaution, they may do so and, inshāAllāh, they will be rewarded for their taqwā

And Allah knows best.

Ml. Abdullah Zaman
Student, Darul Iftaa Chicago

Checked and Approved:

Mf. Abrar Mirza
Head Mufti, Darul Iftaa Chicago