What is the ruling on Zakat for a mature, unmarried woman who has not paid Zakat for years due to ignorance of its obligation upon her, considering she does not recall possessing the nisab or the passing of a hawl, she owns gold but does not know if it was for adornment or savings, and her mother managed the gold?

Ignorance of the obligation of Zakat does not waive it. Zakat becomes obligatory upon reaching the nisab (threshold) and the passing of a full lunar year (hawl). The nisab for banknotes is equivalent to 85 grams of gold or 595 grams of silver. As long as the questioner is unsure about the fulfillment of the conditions for its obligation, there is no Zakat due upon her, because the default is the absolution of liability. If Zakat becomes obligatory, one-quarter of one-tenth (2.5%) is to be given. As for the last amount, if it reaches the nisab, a lunar year should be awaited, and then Zakat is to be paid on it. Regarding the gold about which there is doubt as to whether it is for savings or for adornment, Zakat is obligatory, because the default is the obligation of Zakat on gold, and what has been exempted for use and adornment is an exception to the default. So, if we are in doubt, we revert to the default. If she did not intend it for adornment nor for savings, then there is a difference of opinion among scholars on this matter, and the prevailing view is that Zakat is not obligatory on it. If both intentions (adornment and savings) are present, the questioner should refer to a previous fatwa. In general, if you doubt the fulfillment of the conditions for the obligation of Zakat, then no Zakat is due on it.