Question 1

Why is 2.5% applied to my full wealth, not just the amount above nisab?

Accepted Answer

This is a very common question. Nisab is not like a tax bracket; it is a threshold (gate). Once your total zakatable wealth meets or exceeds the nisab, zakat of 2.5% is due on the entire amount, not just the portion above it. For example: if you have 90g of pure gold and the gold nisab is 87.48g, you pay 2.5% on all 90g worth of gold. This is the unanimous ruling of all four major schools of Islamic jurisprudence and is confirmed by ISNA.

Question 2

What is nisab?

Accepted Answer

Nisab is the minimum threshold of wealth a Muslim must own before zakat becomes obligatory. According to ISNA, the nisab is equivalent to 87.48g (7.5 tola) of pure gold or 612.36g (52.5 tola) of silver. Zakat is only due if your net zakatable wealth meets or exceeds this threshold.

Question 3

Which nisab standard should I use: gold or silver?

Accepted Answer

ISNA recommends using the silver nisab for mixed assets (gold + silver + cash combined), because it sets a lower threshold and ensures more wealth flows to those in need. Use the gold nisab only if your zakatable wealth consists exclusively of gold. When in doubt, the more cautious approach (silver nisab) benefits the recipients of zakat.

Question 4

What is the hawl (one lunar year) requirement?

Accepted Answer

Zakat is only obligatory on wealth that has been held above the nisab threshold for one complete lunar year (hawl, approximately 354 days). If your wealth drops below the nisab at any point during the year and then rises again, a new hawl cycle begins. This calculator estimates the amount due at a point in time; you must track the hawl separately.

Question 5

What assets count as zakatable?

Accepted Answer

Zakatable assets include gold, silver, cash, savings, and investments (stocks, shares, bonds, receivables). This calculator covers all of these. Enter the current market value of your investments in the Investments field. Business inventory and rental income are not included; consult a qualified Islamic scholar for those. For retirement accounts (401k, IRA), scholars differ: some say include the full amount, others say only the portion you can currently access without penalty.

Question 6

Is personal gold jewelry zakatable?

Accepted Answer

According to the Hanafi school (followed by most South Asian and North American Muslims, and the position closest to ISNA's guidelines), gold jewelry kept for personal use is still zakatable. This calculator includes your gold weight regardless of whether it is worn or stored as investment.

Question 7

Is this a religious ruling (fatwa)?

Accepted Answer

No. This is strictly an educational estimate tool aligned with ISNA's published guidelines. For a personal zakat ruling, please consult a qualified Islamic scholar or contact ISNA directly at isna.net.

Zakat on Gold and Silver Calculator

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