Answering a real estate sifu’s less accurate view of gold and zakat

I came across a post on Facebook dated April 29, 2022, in which the author, among others, stated:

“For me, gold is nothing more than a tool to save wealth. Just save it, and don’t generate any additional wealth. It doesn’t generate interest or dividends. Every year, the value of gold saved will decrease by 2.5% when paying zakat.”

Well, first of all, it is very sad when a writer who is a Muslim, feels as if he is burdened and loses when if there are enough conditions, to pay zakat of 2.5% of the current value. Be aware, that it is not only gold that needs to be paid zakat. Savings, livestock, and business, among others, must also be paid zakat if they meet the conditions.

Why pay zakat and what is the wisdom or use of zakat money? That part I am not explaining here, and I suggest all try to consult Ustaz.

Next, the writer needs to understand the true meaning of wealth and the concept of ‘save’. If the writer has RM1 million and keeps it at home, in the next 2 years it will still be RM1 million. BUT, if RM1 million in the last 2 years may be able to buy 6.7 kg of gold, in 2022 with the same RM1 million may only be able to buy 3.5 kg of gold. Why?

Yes, the author mentions “does not generate any interest or dividends”. Like RM1 million fiat money, if it is not ‘used as capital’ to be invested or ‘kept in an account, how possible is the RM1 million fiat money to have the potential to give interest or dividend returns? There must be tools, instruments or methods. SO IS GOLD. If traded, there is a sale and purchase, even in a situation where the price is falling, still has the potential to generate profit, and perhaps also with the ar rahnu savings facility, consumers can enjoy ‘dividends’ every time there is an increase in the current gold price. In other words, knowledge is important in determining whether fiat money or physical gold can help its owner earn benefits or dividends or not.

Not to mention the risks. You can try to first find a sifu or financial or investment expert for risk analysis.

Finally, (among the reasons I was moved to make this post) when the author stated “Every year the value of gold stored will decrease by 2.5% when paying zakat.”, As if blaming zakat for ‘2.5% loss? Is the writer aware, that zakat is not only on gold savings? Obligation to pay zakat if there are sufficient conditions also on income, business, savings, investment (including shares/ASB, etc.), EPF, takaful, livestock?

Paddy zakat is for example 5% and livestock zakat according to the number of livestock. What is the minimum weight requirement before gold should be zakat? I hope, all please consult a knowledgeable party in terms of zakat so as not to confuse or give a wrong impression of yourself and the public.

If you are a ‘sifu’ who understands the basics of economics, supply and demand, you should not post like this. Especially if you are a Muslim.

For public readers, please refer to some other parties for more clear and accurate info and knowledge. #Dont be fooled

Reference:

Zakat wang simpanan https://www.zakatselangor.com.my/info-zakat/zakat-kewajipan-berzakat/zakat-wang-simpanan/

Zakat saham https://www.zakatselangor.com.my/info-zakat/zakat-kewajipan-berzakat/zakat-saham/

Zakat Haiwan ternakan https://www.zakat.com.my/info-zakat/jenis-jenis-zakat/zakat-ternakan/

Zakat pelaburan ASB https://azka.zakat.com.my/2022/zakat-ke-atas-pelaburan-asb/

Malaysia gold trade price rates https://publicgold.com.my/

Versi Bahasa Melayu

Saya terjumpa satu posting di Facebook bertarikh 29 April 2022, yang mana penulisnya, antaranya menyatakan :

“Pada aku emas ni tak lebih hanyalah alat nak simpan kekayaan. Hanya simpan, dan tak jana apa-apa kekayaan tambahan. Tak jana faedah atau dividen pun. Setiap tahun nilai emas yang disimpan akan berkurangan sebanyak 2.5% bila bayar zakat.”

Baik, pertamanya, amatlah sedih bila penulis yang seorang muslim, terasa seakan terbeban dan rugi bila sekiranya cukup syarat, untuk membayar zakat sebanyak 2.5% nilai semasa. Perlu sedar, bukan hanya emas perlu dibayar zakat. Simpanan, ternakan, perniagaan, antaranya juga perlu dibayar zakat sekiranya memenuhi syarat. Mengapa perlu bayar zakat dan apa hikmah atau kegunaan wang zakat? Itu saya tidak kupas di sini. Boleh cuba rujuk ustaz.

Seterusnya, penulis perlu faham maksud sebenar kekayaan dan konsep ‘simpan’. Jika penulis ada RM1 juta dan disimpan sahaja di rumah, 2 tahun akan datang ia tetap RM1 juta. TETAPI, jika RM1 juta pada 2 tahun lepas mungkin mampu membeli 6.7 kg emas, pada 2022 ini dengan RM1 juta yang sama mungkin hanya mampu membeli sebanyak 3.5 kg emas sahaja. Mengapa?

Ya, penulis ada mention “tak jana faedah atau dividen pun”. Seperti wang fiat RM1 juta, sekiranya tidak ‘digunakan sebagai modal’ untuk dilaburkan atau ‘disimpan dalam akaun’, mana mungkin wang fiat RM1 juta tadi berpotens memberi pulangan fadah atau dividen? Perlu ada tools, instrument atau kaedahnya. BEGITU JUGA dengan emas. Sekiranya diniagakan, berlaku jual beli, walau dalam keadaan harga yang sednag turun, masih berpotensi menjana keuntungan, dan mungkin juga dengan kemudahan simpanan ar rahnu, pengguna boleh menikmati ‘dividen’ setiap kali berlaku kenaikkan harga emas semasa. Dalam erti kata lain, ilmu itu penting dalam menentukan sama ada wang fiat atau fizikal emas boleh membantu pemiliknya mendapat faedah atau dividen atau tidak. Belum dicerita bab risiko. Anda boleh cuba cari dulu sifu atau pakar kewangan atau pelaburan untuk kajian risiko.

Akhir sekali, (antara sebab saya tergerak hati untuk buat posting ini) bila penulis menyatakan “Setiap tahun nilai emas yang disimpan akan berkurangan sebanyak 2.5% bila bayar zakat.”, seolah menyalahkan zakat untuk ‘kerugian 2.5%? Adakah penulis sedar, zakat bukan hanya pada simpanan emas? Kewajiban membayar zakat sekiranya cukup syarat juga pada pendapatan, perniagaan, wang simpanan, pelaburan (termasuk saham/ASB, dll), KWSP, takaful, haiwan ternakan?

Zakat padi contohnya 5%, zakat haiwan ternakan mengikut bilangan binatang ternakan. Berapa pula syarat berat minima sebelum emas perlu dizakatkan? Diharap rujuk pihak yang berilmu dalam hal zakat agar tidak keluru atau memberikan gambaran yang salah pada diri sendiri dan umum.

Sekiranya sudah taraf ‘sifu’ yang faham basic ekonomi, pembekalan dan permintaan, seharusnya tidak terkeluar posting sebegini. Apatah lagi bila anda seorang muslim.

Untuk umum, sila rujuk beberapa pihak lagi untuk info dan ilmu yang lebih jelas dan tepat.

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