What Is Nisab?
Nisab (النصاب) is the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must possess before Zakat becomes obligatory. It is derived from the prophetic sunnah and represents a threshold below which a person is considered too poor to give Zakat.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) set the Nisab at two specific amounts of precious metals — 85 grams of gold or 595 grams of silver. If a Muslim's total zakatable wealth equals or exceeds either of these thresholds on their annual Zakat date, and they have held that wealth for one complete lunar year (Hawl), Zakat of 2.5% becomes due.
Gold Nisab vs Silver Nisab — Which Should You Use?
This is one of the most common questions in modern Zakat calculation. There are two valid scholarly positions:
| Factor | Gold Nisab (85g) | Silver Nisab (595g) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 value (approx USD) | ~$8,372 | ~$685 |
| Who uses it | Some Hanbali scholars | Hanafi, Maliki; most contemporary scholars |
| Effect | Fewer people obligated | More people obligated |
| Recommended for? | Business assets (some opinions) | General use — most recommended |
| Contemporary scholars' view | Less preferred | Preferred (Sheikh al-Qaradawi, Islamic Fiqh Academy) |
Our recommendation: Use the silver Nisab for personal Zakat calculation. This is the position of the majority of contemporary Islamic scholars and major institutions including the Islamic Fiqh Academy, National Zakat Foundation (UK), and Islamic Relief. The silver Nisab is lower, meaning Zakat reaches more people in need — which aligns with the spirit of Zakat.
Nisab Value in All Major Currencies — 2026
| Currency | Silver Nisab (595g) | Gold Nisab (85g) |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USD — US Dollar | ~$685 | ~$8,372 |
| 🇦🇪 AED — UAE Dirham | ~2,514 AED | ~30,727 AED |
| 🇸🇦 SAR — Saudi Riyal | ~2,569 SAR | ~31,395 SAR |
| 🇬🇧 GBP — British Pound | ~£541 | ~£6,614 |
| 🇪🇺 EUR — Euro | ~€630 | ~€7,702 |
| 🇵🇰 PKR — Pakistani Rupee | ~190,430 PKR | ~2,327,260 PKR |
| 🇲🇾 MYR — Malaysian Ringgit | ~3,233 MYR | ~39,516 MYR |
| 🇮🇩 IDR — Indonesian Rupiah | ~10,892,500 IDR | ~133,148,000 IDR |
| 🇧🇩 BDT — Bangladeshi Taka | ~75,350 BDT | ~920,920 BDT |
| 🇪🇬 EGP — Egyptian Pound | ~21,166 EGP | ~258,695 EGP |
| 🇮🇳 INR — Indian Rupee | ~57,198 INR | ~699,070 INR |
All values are approximate. Gold price ≈ $98.50/gram. Silver price ≈ $1.15/gram. Prices fluctuate daily.
How to Use Nisab in Your Zakat Calculation
- Choose your Zakat date (same date each year)
- Calculate your total zakatable wealth (cash + gold + silver + stocks + crypto + business inventory)
- Subtract any immediate debts due within the year
- Check if your net wealth equals or exceeds the Nisab on that date
- If yes, and you have held this wealth for one full lunar year (Hawl), pay 2.5% as Zakat
What Counts Toward Nisab?
All of the following are counted when checking against the Nisab threshold:
- Cash in hand and in bank accounts
- Gold and silver (at current market value)
- Stocks and shares (market value)
- Cryptocurrency (market value)
- Business inventory (goods for sale)
- Money owed to you that you expect to recover
- Rental income received during the year