Is one metal combined with the other (gold with silver) to complete the Nisab?
Chapter on Zakat on Gold and Silver
Al-Mughni
Book of Zakat
Primary text
A view attributed to Ahmad in one narration, supported by Al-Athram and a group, holds that gold and silver are not combined with each other to complete a single Nisab; rather, each must reach its own individual Nisab before Zakat is due on it. This view is adopted by Ibn Abi Layla, Al-Hasan ibn Salih, Shurayk, Al-Shafi'i, Abu Ubayd, and Abu Thur. It was favored by Abu Bakr Al-Aziz based on the statement, "There is no charity on less than five Ounces," and because they are two types of wealth with differing Nisabs, they should not be combined, similar to categories of livestock.
Supporting text
The second narration states that one metal is combined with the other to complete the Nisab. This is the view of Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Malik, Al-Awza'i, Al-Thawri, and the Ashab Al-Ra'y, based on the principle that since each metal combines with something else, they should combine with each other because their benefit is singular—serving as values for damages, indemnities, and sale prices. If combination is adopted, it is done proportionally (bil-ajza'): if the parts of both metals together complete the Nisab (e.g., half Nisab of one and more than half of the other), Zakat becomes due. An opposing view, held by Malik, Abu Yusuf, Muhammad, and Al-Awza'i, suggests that if neither metal individually qualifies for Zakat when isolated, their combination does not necessitate Zakat, analogous to staple crops or other categories of goods.