Is Zakaat compulsory upon the heirs on jewelry which was locked up by the deceased in a Vault?

Q. My husband passed away and he had left jewelry in IBV International Vaults. We do not have access to it at the moment due to legal issues and procedures. Is Zakaat compulsory on us?

A. If the heirs of the deceased do not have access to the jewelry of the deceased in the vault, it will not be compulsory on them to discharge the Zakaat of the jewelry.

Once the heirs have access to the jewelry of the deceased in the vault, Zakaat will be compulsory on the jewelry in accordance to their respective shares. (Badaai-us-Sanaai 2/10)

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

themufti.com