Zakat on Gold and Silver

Gold and silver have their own specific zakat rules, rooted directly in prophetic traditions.

Nisab for Gold

Zakat on gold is due when you possess 85 grams of pure gold (24K) or its equivalent value. The rate is 2.5%.

Nisab for Silver

Zakat on silver is due at 595 grams of pure silver. The rate is also 2.5%.

Calculating by Weight and Purity

If your gold is not 24K, adjust for purity:

• 22K gold: multiply weight by 22/24 to get pure gold equivalent
• 21K gold: multiply by 21/24
• 18K gold: multiply by 18/24

Then check if the pure gold equivalent exceeds 85 grams.

The Jewelry Question

There is a well-known scholarly discussion about whether gold jewelry worn for personal use is subject to zakat. The Hanafi school generally holds that it is zakatable. The Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools generally hold that personal-use jewelry is exempt, provided it is of a customary amount.

Investment Gold

Gold held as an investment (bars, coins, or digital gold not worn as jewelry) is zakatable by consensus when it exceeds the nisab.