Gold vs Silver Nisab: Which Standard Should You Use for Zakat?

Gold vs Silver Nisab for Zakat is a phenomenon of high tension for every muslim.

If you have mixed assets, Gold vs Silver Nisab for Zakat, you should preferably use the silver Nisab. Many scholars also recommend this because it benefits more people.

If you have only gold, then you must use the gold Nisab to calculate Zakat. However, many scholars recommend using the silver Nisab, as it allows more people to become eligible and helps benefit a larger number of needy individuals.

When to use Gold vs Silver Nisab for Zakat?

Use the silver nisab:

• If you have multiple combinations of assets, including gold, silver, and cash, the silver Nisab is the recommended approach. 
• The silver Nisab has a lower threshold, which means more people become eligible to pay Zakat.

Key Considerations for Calculating Zakat

• Determine your total wealth:  Calculate your Zakat by finding the total value of all your net wealth assets, including gold, silver, cash, savings, and business assets.
• Identify the correct nisab:  Use the current value of gold or silver to calculate your Zakat, based on 612.36 grams of silver (52.5 tola) or 87.48 grams of gold (7.5 tola).
• Calculate the zakat amount:  After knowing your total net wealth, determine the Nisab threshold and calculate 2.5% of your total net wealth as Zakat.
• Keep an eye on fluctuating values:  The market value of gold and silver keeps changing, so make sure you calculate your net wealth using the current market value of gold or silver.

What is Nisab in gold and silver?

Nisab for silver is 612.36 grams, and for gold is 87.48 grams. It becomes obligatory for a Muslim to pay Zakat when their net wealth reaches at least the silver Nisab amount. Zakat is then calculated at 2.5% of their total wealth.

Nisab values

• Gold: 87.48 grams (7.5 tola)
• Silver: 612.36 grams (52.5 tola) 

Why do scholars recommend silver?

Scholars recommend the silver Nisab because it has a lower threshold, which makes a larger number of people eligible to pay Zakat. This helps more needy and poor people who are eligible to receive Zakat.

People Who Can Receive Zakat (In Easy Words)

The Poor:

• Those who have very little money or food and cannot meet their daily needs.

The Needy (Masakeen):

• People who have some money but still don’t have enough to live a comfortable life.

Zakat Collectors:

• People who are appointed to collect and distribute Zakat to the right people.

For Freeing Slaves (Ar-Riqaab):

• Zakat can be used to help free people who are trapped or enslaved.

Those in Debt (Al-Gharimeen):

• People who owe money and are unable to pay it back can receive Zakat.

In the Way of Allah (Fi Sabilillah):

• Those who work for Allah’s cause, like helping spread Islam, building mosques, or supporting good Islamic work.

Travelers (Ibn-us-Sabil):

• People who are traveling and have lost their money or cannot reach home safely can get help from Zakat.

How to check gold and silver prices

If you want to check the live gold and silver prices step by step using Google, on your mobile or PC, open Google (or Chrome) and type “gold price today [your country]” — for example, “gold price today Pakistan.” Do the same for silver: “silver price today [your country].”

Check Google’s live price overview and verify prices on trusted financial websites. Then use the latest gold or silver price to calculate your Zakat.