These examples show how zakat is worked out, step by step. To keep the maths simple they use example prices, not today's prices:
- Gold (24K): $130 per gram, so gold nisab (87.48 g) = $11,372.40
- Silver: $1.60 per gram, so silver nisab (612.36 g) = $979.78
For real numbers in your own currency, use the zakat calculator, which fills in today's gold and silver price for you.
Example 1: Cash savings only
Aisha has $5,000 in her savings account, and it has stayed above nisab for a full Islamic year.
- With silver nisab ($979.78): $5,000 is above nisab, so zakat is due.
- With gold nisab ($11,372.40): $5,000 is below nisab, so no zakat.
Example 2: Savings below nisab
Bilal has $600 in savings and nothing else.
$600 is below even the lower silver nisab of $979.78.
Example 3: Gold jewellery (10 tola, 22 carat)
Fatima owns 10 tola (116.64 g) of 22 carat gold jewellery that she wears. 22 carat gold is about 91.67% pure.
- Pure gold: 116.64 g × 91.67% = 106.92 g
- Value: 106.92 g × $130 = $13,900.11
This is above gold nisab.
Example 4: Cash and gold together
Omar has $3,000 cash and 50 g of 24K gold ($6,500). Neither is above gold nisab on its own, but together they are $9,500.
When wealth is a mix of cash and gold, many scholars add it together and compare it with silver nisab ($979.78).
Example 5: Savings with a debt due
Yusuf has $20,000 in savings. On his zakat date he also owes $4,000 that must be paid now.
- Zakatable wealth: $20,000 − $4,000 = $16,000
Example 6: A small shop
Maryam runs a shop. On her zakat date she has stock worth $30,000 at today's selling price, $5,000 cash in the till and bank, and owes a supplier $8,000.
- $30,000 + $5,000 − $8,000 = $27,000
Shop fittings, shelves and the building itself are not counted, only goods for sale and cash.
Example 7: Shares
Hamza has shares worth $10,000 that he buys and sells to make a profit.
Shares held to trade are counted at full market value.
Example 8: Money received during the year
Zainab's zakat date is 1 Ramadan. Her savings have been above nisab all year. Two months before her zakat date she received a $2,000 bonus.
How to work out your own zakat
- Pick one fixed zakat date each Islamic year.
- On that date, add up cash, savings, gold, silver, goods for sale and investments.
- Take away debts due now.
- If the total is at or above nisab, multiply it by 2.5%.
The rules behind these examples, with Quran and hadith references: Zakat rulings and evidence.
Examples use example prices and are for guidance only. They are not a fatwa. For your own case, please ask a qualified scholar.