were heavier than others. This indicates that the number is what is determinative, because the dirhams were not standardized until the time of Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan. He standardized them at this measure, making every ten dirhams equal to seven mithqals.

According to the Shaykh’s view—may Allah have mercy on him—if two hundred dirhams amounted to only one hundred mithqals, zakah would still be due on them. According to those who consider weight determinative, however, no zakah would be due. Conversely, if they amounted to one hundred and thirty mithqals but numbered two hundred dirhams, zakah would be due according to the Shaykh, while the majority hold that no zakah is due.

Accordingly, which is more precautionary: to consider the number, or to consider the weight?

The answer is: if the dirhams are heavy, then considering the weight is more precautionary. Fifty dirhams may amount to five awaq if they are heavy, so considering the weight would be more precautionary. But if the dirhams are light, then considering the number is more precautionary. Thus, if a dirham weighs only half a mithqal, there is no doubt that considering the number is more precautionary.

The hadiths appear to conflict. The hadith, “No charity is due on less than five awaq,” apparently applies whether or not the amount reaches two hundred dirhams in number. Meanwhile, Abu Bakr’s hadith—may Allah be pleased with him—which he wrote concerning zakah states, “Concerning silver currency, once it reaches two hundred dirhams”; this is explicit wording, and explicit wording takes precedence