Zakat nisab explained: the gold and silver thresholds, and which one to use
What happened
Zakat is levied at 2.5% of qualifying wealth that has been held for one full lunar year, but only if that wealth exceeds the nisab threshold. There are two recognised nisab measures: 7.5 tola of gold, or 52.5 tola of silver. Because silver is far cheaper per tola, the silver nisab produces a much lower threshold — which means more people qualify to pay under it.
Why it matters
The choice of nisab is not a rounding detail. At metal prices recorded on 19 June 2026, the gold nisab worked out near PKR 3.4 million while the silver nisab sat near PKR 386,000 — roughly a ninefold difference. Someone with PKR 500,000 in savings owes nothing under the gold nisab and owes zakat under the silver one.
Who is affected
- Anyone holding cash, savings or gold above the nisab for a full lunar year
- Households calculating zakat ahead of Ramadan
- Savers close to the threshold, where the choice of nisab decides liability
| Zakat rate | — | 2.5% of qualifying wealth | |
| Gold nisab | — | 7.5 tola | |
| Silver nisab | — | 52.5 tola |
What 2.5% actually comes to
Illustrative: qualifying wealth held for one full lunar year
| Item | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| On PKR 500,000 | — | PKR 12,500 |
| On PKR 1,000,000 | — | PKR 25,000 |
| Below the applicable nisab | — | No zakat due |
Illustrative estimate. Zakat treatment of specific assets — business stock, receivables, jointly held property — varies between scholarly opinions. Consult a qualified scholar for your situation.
Which nisab should you use?
Many scholars recommend the silver nisab precisely because it is lower, bringing more wealth into the scope of zakat and therefore distributing more to those entitled to receive it. Others hold that the nisab most appropriate to your own holdings applies. This is a question of scholarly opinion rather than arithmetic, and Moneylyn does not take a position on it — the calculator lets you choose.
The lunar year condition
Zakat is due on wealth held above the nisab for one full lunar (hijri) year, not a calendar year. The lunar year is about eleven days shorter, so a fixed Gregorian anniversary will gradually drift out of alignment. Many people anchor their calculation to Ramadan for simplicity and consistency.
Frequently asked questions
How is zakat calculated in Pakistan?
Zakat is 2.5% of qualifying wealth — cash, savings, gold, silver and similar — held for one full lunar year above the nisab threshold. Wealth below the applicable nisab is not subject to zakat.
What is the nisab for zakat?
There are two recognised thresholds: 7.5 tola of gold or 52.5 tola of silver. Because silver is cheaper per tola, the silver nisab is substantially lower and brings more people into scope.
Should I use the gold or silver nisab?
This is a matter of scholarly opinion rather than calculation. Many scholars recommend the silver nisab because the lower threshold increases the amount distributed. Consult a qualified scholar if you are near the threshold.
Do I pay zakat on money I have held for only a few months?
Generally no — the qualifying condition is that the wealth was held above the nisab for one full lunar year. Treatment of money moving in and out during the year varies between opinions.