I was browsing yesterday when a question came up asking about the nisab (minimum threshold) for Zakat on gold, and I decided to share with you what I understand about this topic.

Zakat is essentially one of the pillars of Islam, and sometimes people forget that it includes the gold they have, whether it’s savings or even jewelry. The important thing is to know that the nisab for gold is about 85 grams of pure gold (24 karat).

So, what’s the ruling? If your gold reaches this nisab and a full lunar year passes, you pay 2.5% of its value. Very simple — take the market value of the gold and multiply it by 2.5%.

But there are important details: gold bought for trade or savings has Zakat due on it. As for jewelry worn daily, opinions differ. The majority say there’s no Zakat on it, but the Hanafi school says there is Zakat even on jewelry used.

Regarding the nisab for gold in different karats: 24 karat = 85 grams, 21 karat = about 97 grams, 18 karat = 113 grams. The idea is to calculate the purity percentage and multiply it by the weight.

A quick example: if you have 100 grams of 21-karat gold and the price per gram is 400 riyals, the calculation is: 100 × 0.875 (purity percentage) = 87.5 grams of pure gold = 35,000 riyals, and Zakat = 35,000 × 2.5% = 875 riyals.

Very important: don’t pay Zakat except to the eight categories mentioned by the Quran — the poor, the needy, those employed to collect it, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, freeing slaves, those in debt, in the cause of Allah, and the traveler. Don’t give it to anyone else.

And there are things that are forbidden: don’t give it to the wealthy, don’t give it to disbelievers (except in special cases), don’t give it to those whose maintenance you are responsible for, like family, wife, and children. Also, Zakat on non-physical gold assets like gold ETFs is also applicable, at the same rate of 2.5% of the market value.

The nisab for gold doesn’t differ much from silver, but gold is more commonly used. The main point is that you intend sincerely to pay it, because Zakat isn’t just a financial obligation — it’s an act of worship, a way to purify yourself from greed, and to help those in need.

One last thing: if the gold is mixed with forbidden or usurious (riba) elements, you can’t purify it with Zakat — it must come from lawful wealth initially. Delaying Zakat without a valid excuse is sinful, so once the lunar year completes, pay it immediately.

I hope this clarifies the topic for you all. If anyone has questions about the nisab for Zakat on gold or calculations, feel free to ask in the comments.