Nisab of Zakat

What Is the Nisab of Zakat?

Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth that makes Zakat obligatory. It is the dividing line: wealth below Nisab is exempt from Zakat, while wealth at or above Nisab held for one lunar year triggers the obligation to pay 2.5%.

The concept of Nisab ensures that Zakat is only taken from those who have meaningful surplus wealth — not from the poor or those struggling to meet basic needs. It is a threshold of financial responsibility, not a tax on subsistence.

Nisab is defined by two standards, both established during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

• Gold Nisab: 20 mithqal = 87.48 grams of pure gold
• Silver Nisab: 200 dirhams = 612.36 grams of pure silver

Use our Nisab Calculator to see the current monetary value of both thresholds in your currency.

Gold Nisab Explained

The gold Nisab is 87.48 grams of pure gold (24K). This is derived from the classical Islamic measurement of 20 mithqal — a weight standard used in Arabia at the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

To calculate the gold Nisab in your currency:

For example, at a gold price of £63 per gram, the gold Nisab is approximately £5,511. At a gold price of $80 per gram, the gold Nisab is approximately $6,998. At a gold price of ₹6,700 per gram, the gold Nisab is approximately ₹5,86,116.

The gold Nisab is significantly higher than the silver Nisab because gold is much more expensive. If you use the gold Nisab, fewer people qualify to pay Zakat, and the minimum wealth required is higher. This is the position preferred by some scholars, particularly in the Shafi'i and Maliki schools.

Silver Nisab Explained

The silver Nisab is 612.36 grams of pure silver. This is derived from the classical measurement of 200 dirhams.

To calculate the silver Nisab in your currency:

At a silver price of £0.65 per gram, the silver Nisab is approximately £398. At a silver price of $0.82 per gram, the silver Nisab is approximately $502. At a silver price of ₹68 per gram, the silver Nisab is approximately ₹41,640.

Because silver is much less expensive than gold, the silver Nisab is considerably lower. This means more Muslims qualify to pay Zakat. The Hanafi school of thought generally recommends using the silver Nisab, as it increases the amount of Zakat flowing to those in need.

Which Nisab Should You Use?

This is one of the most practical questions in Zakat calculation, and scholars have offered different answers:

• Hanafi school: Generally recommends the silver Nisab. Since silver is cheaper, the lower threshold means more people pay Zakat, and more funds reach the poor and needy. This aligns with the purpose of Zakat as a mechanism for wealth redistribution.
• Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali schools:Generally recommend the gold Nisab. This is based on the view that gold was the primary standard of wealth and that silver's dramatic decline in value relative to gold over the centuries makes it a less reliable benchmark today.

Many contemporary Islamic organisations, including Islamic Relief and the National Zakat Foundation, use the silver Nisab in their guidance to UK Muslims. This is because the lower threshold enables more Zakat to be collected and distributed to eligible recipients.

Both positions are valid and respected. If you are unsure, consult a qualified scholar. Our Nisab Calculator shows both thresholds so you can make an informed choice.

Historical Background of the Nisab

Understanding the historical context of Nisab helps explain why there are two values today:

In 7th-century Arabia, the gold dinar and silver dirham circulated alongside each other. The Prophet (peace be upon him) set the Nisab at 20 dinars of gold and 200 dirhams of silver. At that time, 20 gold dinars were approximately equal in value to 200 silver dirhams — both could sustain a small family for about one year. This was the intended purpose of Nisab: to ensure Zakat was only taken from those with genuine surplus wealth.

Over the centuries, gold and silver prices diverged. Gold became significantly more expensive relative to silver due to changes in mining, monetary policy, and industrial demand. Today, 87.48 grams of gold is worth approximately 14 times more than 612.36 grams of silver — a dramatic shift from their historic parity.

This divergence is the reason for the scholarly debate. Those who prioritise the "one year of sustenance" principle argue for silver Nisab (which today better approximates a basic annual living). Those who prioritise the textual specification of 20 mithqal of gold argue for gold Nisab.

Nisab for Different Asset Types

Nisab for Gold

There is a specific Nisab for gold: 87.48 grams. If you own only gold and no other zakatable assets, Zakat is due if your gold reaches this weight and you have held it for one lunar year. Use our Gold Zakat Calculator to determine if your gold reaches Nisab.

Nisab for Cash and Mixed Assets

For cash, savings, investments, crypto and other non-gold assets, there is no separate Nisab. Instead, you compare the total value of all your zakatable assets against the gold or silver Nisab. Use our Zakat Calculator to do this in one place.

Nisab for Business Assets

Business inventory and assets are compared against the same Nisab thresholds. If the net value of your business trading assets plus personal assets exceeds Nisab, Zakat is due. See our Zakat on Business Assets guide.

What Happens If Your Wealth Goes Above and Below Nisab During the Year?

This is a common scenario. Suppose your wealth exceeds Nisab in January, dips below Nisab in June, and recovers above Nisab by December. What matters is the value on your Zakat calculation date:

• If you are above Nisab on your Zakat date: Zakat is due on the full amount, even if you were below Nisab at some point during the year.
• If you are below Nisab on your Zakat date: Zakat is not due, even if you were above Nisab earlier.
• If your wealth drops below Nisab and never recovers: Your Zakat year resets. A new year begins when your wealth next exceeds Nisab.

Nisab in Different Currencies — Current Approximations

These are approximate mid-2026 values. Gold and silver prices change daily. Use our Nisab Calculator for current values.