Zakat nisab: gold or silver, how to choose
AmanaFi team · Updated · 1 min read
The nisab is the threshold from which zakat on money becomes obligatory. It is classically set at the equivalent of 85 grams of gold or 595 grams of silver, and the choice of reference is discussed.
The two references
The texts speak of twenty mithqal of gold and two hundred dirhams of silver. Contemporary scholars convert them into grams.
- Gold: about 85 grams of pure gold.
- Silver: about 595 grams of pure silver.
Why the choice matters
Today, 595 g of silver is worth far less than 85 g of gold. Using silver lowers the threshold and brings more people into zakat; using gold raises it. Each view is defended, notably with regard to the interest of recipients.
What to do in practice
Follow the opinion of the religious authority you usually consult, and keep the same reference from year to year. When in doubt, caution is to choose the reference that has you pay zakat rather than omit it. AmanaFi lets you choose gold or silver in its calculation.
Frequently asked
Which gold price per gram should I use?
The price on the day your zakat falls due, from a jeweller or a price source. Values change daily: do not keep an old figure.
Put it into practice with AmanaFi
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