Every year, families across Pakistan sit down before Ramadan and ask the same question: how much zakat do we owe on our gold? Most of that gold is jewellery — wedding sets, bangles, a few rings — and it is not always clear how to put a value on it. This guide explains the rules in plain words and shows you how to work out the amount at today’s rate.
You can also skip the maths and use our free zakat calculator, which uses today’s live gold and silver rates.
What Is the Nisab for Gold?
Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must own before zakat becomes due. For gold, the nisab is:
- 7.5 tola, which is 87.48 grams
If you own less than 7.5 tola of gold and nothing else that counts as zakatable wealth, zakat is not due on the gold. If you own 7.5 tola or more for one full Islamic (lunar) year, zakat is due.
At today’s rate, 24K gold is Rs 432,000 per tola, so 7.5 tola of pure gold is worth about Rs 3,240,000.
What Is the Rate of Zakat?
The rate is 2.5% of the total value — one-fortieth. If your zakatable gold is worth Rs 1,000,000, the zakat is Rs 25,000.
The Silver Nisab and Mixed Wealth
There is a second nisab based on silver: 52.5 tola (612.36 grams). Silver is much cheaper than gold, so the silver nisab is a far lower amount of money.
This matters when you own a mix of things. Many scholars say that if you have some gold plus cash, savings or business stock, you add everything together and compare the total with the silver nisab. Because the silver nisab is low, most households with any savings end up paying zakat. Today one tola of silver is about Rs 5,972.
Different schools of thought explain this point a little differently. If you are unsure which rule applies to your situation, ask a scholar you trust.
How to Value Your Gold Jewellery
This is where most people get stuck. Follow these steps:
- Find the weight. Check the jeweller’s receipt or have the pieces weighed. Write the weight in tola or grams.
- Find the karat. Most Pakistani jewellery is 22K. Some pieces are 21K or 18K. The stamp (“22K”, “916”) tells you.
- Use the rate for that karat, not the 24K rate. Today’s rates per tola are:
- 24K: Rs 432,000
- 22K: Rs 396,000
- 21K: Rs 378,000
- Ignore making charges. Zakat is on the gold itself, not the labour the jeweller charged.
- Do not include stones. Diamonds, pearls and other stones in jewellery are usually not counted, only the gold weight.
Worked Example
Ayesha owns:
- A 22K bridal set weighing 6 tola
- Four 22K bangles weighing 3 tola in total
- Rs 150,000 in her bank account
Her gold is 9 tola of 22K. At a 22K rate of, say, Rs 360,000 per tola, the gold is worth Rs 3,240,000. Add her savings and her total zakatable wealth is Rs 3,390,000.
Zakat = 2.5% × 3,390,000 = Rs 84,750
(This uses an example rate. Put today’s 22K rate into our zakat calculator for your real figure.)
Is Zakat Due on Jewellery You Wear?
This is a well-known difference of opinion:
- The Hanafi school, followed by most people in Pakistan, says zakat is due on gold jewellery, even if it is worn.
- Some other schools say jewellery worn regularly for normal use is exempt.
Most Pakistani families follow the Hanafi view and include all their jewellery.
Whose Gold Is It?
Zakat is paid by the owner. Bridal jewellery given to the bride belongs to her, so the zakat is her responsibility, even if her husband or parents pay it on her behalf. If gold is split between family members, each person checks their own share against the nisab.
When Should You Pay?
Zakat is due once a full Islamic year has passed while you owned wealth above the nisab. Many people pick a fixed date every year — often in Ramadan — to make it easy to remember. Use the gold rate on the day you calculate, because the price changes daily. Check the gold rate in Pakistan today before you work it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much gold is required for zakat in Pakistan?
Zakat is due on 7.5 tola (87.48 grams) of gold or more, held for a full Islamic year.
Is zakat calculated on 24K or 22K rate?
Use the rate that matches the karat of your gold. For 22K jewellery, use the 22K rate.
Do I pay zakat on making charges?
No. Only the value of the gold itself counts.
What if I have less than 7.5 tola of gold but some cash?
Add the gold and the cash together and compare the total with the silver nisab (52.5 tola of silver). If the total is higher, zakat is due on all of it.
Final Word
Zakat on gold is simple once you know three numbers: the weight, the karat and today’s rate. Write down your gold once, keep the list safe, and each year you only need the new rate. Our zakat calculator and the live gold price in Pakistan page do the rest.