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There
is no Zakaah on the household utensils
Question:
I have a large number of household utensils [silverware and
dining ware] for use on a daily basis as well as for regularly
guests and some others for special occasions. I use these
many utensils instead of borrowing them from others or renting
them, as sometimes one gets dirty or old utensils that one
cannot use in any social setting. I keep my utensils in a
cabinet in my home. If my neighbors or relatives ask to borrow
them, I give it to hem, trying to help them. During a sisters'
meeting, I heard one of the sisters say that a person is going
to be held accountable for everything that he leaves behind,
including household utensils. She said that we will be punished
by them if we leave them behind and they will be heated and
will brand us on the Day of Resurrection. Please assist me,
may Allaah assist you. Should I give them away in charity
and then borrow from the people for special occasions or should
I keep them and pay Zakaah on them or is there no Zakaah on
them or what should I do?
Response:
There is no harm in what you have mentioned. There is no Zakaah
on such household utensils, since they are not for sale but
are for need and for lending out. The one who told you that
possessing such utensils is not allowed is an ignorant, mistaken
person. He1 has said something about Allaah and about Allaah's
religion without knowledge. He must repent from that sin and
be careful and avoiding making fatwas without knowledge. Allaah
has stated in stern words that such is forbidden. Allaah has
stated, "Say: The things that my Lord has forbidden are great
evil sins, whether committed openly or secretly, sins [of
all kinds], unrighteous oppression, joining partners with
Allaah for which He has given no authority, and saying things
about Allaah of which you have no knowledge" (al-A'raaf 33).
In a separate verse, Allaah has stated that making statements
about Allaah without knowledge is something that Satan orders
and requests. This is in Allaah's words, "O mankind! Eat of
that which is lawful and good on the Earth, and follow not
the footsteps of Satan. Verily, he is to you an open enemy.
[Satan] commands only what is evil and sinful, and that you
should say about Allaah what you know not" (al-Baqarah 168-169).
Shaykh
Ibn Baaz
Fataawa al-Mar.ah
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