Your zakatable assets (Rs)
What is zakat and who must pay it?
Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam: an annual payment of 2.5% on wealth that stays above the nisab for a full lunar year. A Muslim who owns wealth at or above the nisab, free of immediate debts, is required to give it to eligible recipients such as the poor and needy, those in debt, and others named in the Quran.
How the nisab is set
The nisab is the minimum wealth threshold. It is traditionally 87.48 grams (7.5 tola) of gold or 612.36 grams (52.5 tola) of silver. Because silver is far cheaper, the silver nisab is much lower and brings more people into zakat; many scholars and organisations recommend it because it benefits more recipients, while others use gold for gold-based wealth. Choose the standard your scholar advises. The calculator needs the day's gold and silver prices because the nisab moves with the market.
What counts as zakatable wealth
- Cash, bank balances and savings.
- Gold and silver, including jewellery according to many scholars.
- Shares, mutual funds and similar investments at market value.
- Business inventory and trade goods.
- Loans you have given that you expect to recover.
Your home, car and household items for personal use are generally not zakatable. Subtract debts that are due. Then pay 2.5% of what remains.
How to use this calculator
- Look up today's gold and silver price per tola and enter both.
- Pick the nisab standard.
- Enter each category of assets and your due debts.
- Read the nisab, your total wealth and the amount of zakat.
Worked example
Suppose silver is Rs 5,000 per tola, so the silver nisab (52.5 tola) is Rs 262,500. A person holds Rs 600,000 in the bank, 3 tola of gold valued at Rs 1,200,000 (at Rs 400,000 per tola), Rs 150,000 in shares and owes Rs 50,000 in bills due now. Net zakatable wealth is Rs 600,000 + 1,200,000 + 150,000 - 50,000 = Rs 1,900,000. That exceeds the nisab, so zakat is 2.5%, which is Rs 47,500.
Frequently confused points
- The lunar year. Zakat is due after wealth has stayed above the nisab for one lunar year. Many people fix one date, such as 1 Ramadan, to calculate every year.
- Jewellery. Scholars differ on jewellery worn for personal use. Ask a scholar you trust.
- Debts. Subtract debts that are due now, not the whole of a long-term loan.
- Receivables. Money owed to you that you expect to recover is counted.
Giving zakat well
Zakat must go to the categories named in the Quran, such as the poor, the needy and those in debt. Give to people you have verified, to registered charities, or through government channels. Programmes like the Punjab Rehmat Card are funded from the Zakat fund, and you can read how they work. For gold weights use the unit converter, convert foreign savings with the currency converter, and check 2.5% manually with the percentage calculator. To understand your income first, see the salary calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much zakat do I pay?
2.5% of net zakatable wealth that has stayed above the nisab for one lunar year.
What is a tola in grams?
A tola is about 11.66 grams. 7.5 tola of gold is 87.48 g and 52.5 tola of silver is 612.36 g.
Should I use the gold or silver nisab?
Scholars differ. The silver nisab is lower and is widely recommended for cash and mixed wealth; the gold nisab is used by some for gold-based wealth. Ask a scholar you trust.
Is zakat due on the house I live in?
No, your primary residence, car for personal use and household goods are generally exempt. Property held for trade or sale is zakatable.
Is government zakat deduction enough?
The bank deduction on 1 Ramadan covers eligible balances only. Zakat on gold, investments, business stock and other assets is still your responsibility.