What is Nisab
The question of what is nisab is fundamental for every Muslim determining whether Zakat obligation applies to their wealth. Nisab is the minimum threshold of wealth that must be possessed before Zakat becomes obligatory. But what exactly is this threshold amount? Why is nisab measured in gold and silver specifically? How do you calculate nisab in modern currency? Should you use gold nisab or silver nisab for your calculation? What wealth counts toward nisab and what is excluded? How do current gold and silver prices affect nisab values? What if your wealth fluctuates around nisab during the year? This comprehensive guide answers every question about what is nisab with complete clarity for Muslims worldwide.
The definitive answer to what is nisab: Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth established by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the threshold where Zakat becomes obligatory, specifically defined as the value equivalent to either 87.48 grams of gold (20 Islamic mithqals) or 612.36 grams of silver (200 Islamic dirhams), translating to approximately £3,600 to £4,000 using gold prices or approximately £300 to £400 using silver prices in current markets, with most contemporary scholars recommending the silver nisab due to its lower threshold making more Muslims eligible to fulfill Zakat and support those in need. This guide explains the Prophetic origin of nisab amounts, how to calculate nisab using current precious metal prices, why gold and silver define the threshold, which nisab to use for modern wealth, what assets count toward nisab comparison, and authentic Quranic and Hadith evidence establishing nisab as the definitive minimum for Zakat obligation.
Critical principle: Nisab determines who must pay Zakat
Understanding what is nisab is essential because it creates the dividing line between those obligated to pay Zakat and those exempt. The nisab serves as Islam's poverty line in reverse: those possessing wealth equal to or above nisab are considered financially capable and must purify their wealth through 2.5% annual Zakat, while those below nisab are considered in need and may even be eligible to receive Zakat. This threshold ensures Zakat obligations fall only on those with genuine financial capacity beyond basic needs.
The brilliance of what is nisab lies in its design: by pegging the threshold to precious metals (gold and silver), it maintains relevance across centuries despite currency fluctuations, economic changes, and varying global contexts. A Muslim in seventh century Arabia and a Muslim in twenty-first century Britain both measure nisab using the same gold and silver standards established by the Prophet (peace be upon him). The nisab amount of 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver has remained constant for over fourteen hundred years, providing timeless clarity on what is nisab for Zakat obligation determination in every era and location.
Core definition
What is nisab: The definitive amounts
Understanding the exact threshold from Prophetic teaching.
The Prophetic specification of nisab
What is nisab according to authentic Islamic sources? The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) established two definitive nisab thresholds through authentic Hadith. For gold, the nisab is 20 mithqals, an ancient Arabian unit of weight equivalent to 87.48 grams of gold. For silver, the nisab is 200 dirhams, ancient Islamic silver coins each weighing approximately 3.0618 grams, totaling 612.36 grams of silver. These specifications are not estimates or approximations but precise Prophetic teaching preserved across fourteen centuries.
The Hadith states: "There is no Zakat on less than five awaq of silver" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1405), where five awaq equals 200 dirhams or 612.36 grams. Another Hadith specifies: "There is no Zakat on less than twenty mithqals of gold" establishing 87.48 grams as the gold nisab. For what is nisab definitively, these Prophetic specifications are absolute and unchanging regardless of time, place, or economic conditions.
The Two Nisab Standards
Gold Nisab
Silver Nisab
✓ Most scholars recommend using silver nisab (lower threshold) for modern Zakat calculation
Why two different nisab amounts?
Understanding what is nisab requires knowing why both gold and silver thresholds exist. Historically, both gold and silver served as currency in Islamic civilization. The Prophet (peace be upon him) established nisab for both metals to accommodate different wealth forms. At the time of Prophetic revelation, the value ratio between gold and silver was approximately 1:7, meaning the gold and silver nisab amounts were roughly equivalent in purchasing power.
Modern markets have disrupted this ratio dramatically. Today's gold to silver ratio is approximately 1:80 or higher, meaning gold is worth far more relative to silver than in Prophetic times. This creates the current situation where gold nisab is approximately £3,600 to £4,000 while silver nisab is approximately £300 to £400. For what is nisab in contemporary application, this substantial difference requires Muslims to choose which standard to use for wealth assessment.
Nisab as a poverty threshold
What is nisab functionally? It serves as Islam's poverty line determining financial self-sufficiency. Those possessing wealth equal to or above nisab are considered financially secure enough to share a portion with others. Those below nisab are considered in need of support. The nisab creates a clear, objective standard: if your total zakatable wealth equals the value of 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver (depending on which standard you use), you cross from recipient to giver status in the Zakat system.
Practical application
Gold nisab versus silver nisab: Which to use?
Scholarly guidance on choosing your nisab standard.
The contemporary scholarly recommendation
For what is nisab to use in modern times, the majority of contemporary Islamic scholars recommend using silver nisab rather than gold nisab. The reasoning is straightforward: silver nisab creates a lower threshold (approximately £300 to £400) making more Muslims eligible to pay Zakat. This benefits the poor by increasing the pool of Zakat payers supporting those in need. Using the higher gold nisab (approximately £3,600 to £4,000) would exempt many middle-income Muslims from Zakat, potentially reducing funds available for poverty relief.
Major contemporary fatwa councils including the European Council for Fatwa and Research, Islamic Fiqh Academy, and numerous senior scholars recommend silver nisab for cash and modern wealth assessment. Their reasoning emphasizes the principle that when multiple valid options exist, choose the one providing greater benefit to the poor. For what is nisab in practice, silver standard is the mainstream contemporary recommendation.
✓Arguments for Silver Nisab
- •Lower threshold benefits more poor recipients by increasing Zakat payers
- •More inclusive, making middle-income Muslims eligible for this pillar
- •Recommended by majority of contemporary scholars and councils
- •Applies precautionary principle: when in doubt, fulfilling obligation is safer
- •Accessible threshold makes Zakat obligation achievable for more Muslims
ⓘArguments for Gold Nisab
- •Gold value is more stable than silver in modern markets
- •Higher threshold prevents burdening those with modest means
- •Some classical scholars preferred gold as more reliable measure
- •May better reflect genuine financial capacity in developed economies
- •Valid scholarly option for those who prefer higher threshold
Can you choose between gold and silver nisab?
Yes, both gold and silver nisab are Islamically valid options established through authentic Prophetic teaching. However, for what is nisab to apply consistently, choose one standard and use it every year. Do not switch between gold and silver nisab based on which produces lower Zakat in particular years as this undermines the system's integrity. If you choose silver nisab, use it consistently. If you choose gold nisab (perhaps because you believe it better reflects genuine financial capacity in your context), use it consistently.
Practical recommendation for most Muslims
For what is nisab to use practically, most Muslims should follow the contemporary scholarly consensus and use silver nisab (approximately £300 to £400) for several reasons: it is the mainstream recommendation, ensures you fulfill Zakat obligation with certainty, supports more poor recipients through broader Zakat participation, and makes this pillar of Islam accessible to middle-income Muslims who might be excluded using gold nisab. Unless you have specific reasons to prefer gold nisab, silver standard is the recommended default for modern Zakat calculation.
Check your obligation
Calculate if your wealth meets nisab
Now that you understand what is nisab, check if you meet the threshold.
Calculate Your Zakat →How to calculate
Calculating nisab in your local currency
Step by step method for determining current nisab value.
Converting nisab to pounds sterling (or any currency)
What is nisab in practical monetary terms? While the weight (87.48g gold or 612.36g silver) never changes, the currency value fluctuates with precious metal prices. To calculate nisab in pounds, dollars, or any currency, check current gold or silver spot prices and multiply by the nisab weight.
Nisab Calculation Formula
AuGold Nisab Calculation
Example (if gold is £45/gram):
87.48g × £45 = £3,936.60 gold nisab
AgSilver Nisab Calculation (Recommended)
Example (if silver is £0.58/gram):
612.36g × £0.58 = £355.17 silver nisab
Where to find current gold and silver prices
For what is nisab currently, check reliable precious metal price sources. Reputable options include: BullionVault.com, Kitco.com, GoldPrice.org, and major financial websites providing commodity prices. Prices are typically quoted per troy ounce (31.1035 grams) or per gram. Ensure you convert to grams if prices are quoted per ounce. Most Zakat calculators automatically retrieve current prices for convenience.
Update nisab calculation on your annual Zakat date using prices on that specific date. Precious metal prices fluctuate daily, so nisab in pounds changes constantly. For what is nisab on your Zakat date, use that day's gold or silver spot price for accuracy.
Comparing your wealth to nisab
Once you calculate nisab in your currency, compare your total zakatable wealth to this threshold. If your combined zakatable assets (cash, gold, silver, investments, business inventory, etc.) equal or exceed nisab, and you have possessed wealth at or above nisab for one lunar year, Zakat is obligatory. For what is nisab as a threshold, it marks the point where you transition from exempt to obligated status.
Nisab applies to total wealth, not individual assets
What is nisab measured against? Your combined total of all zakatable wealth, not each asset separately. You do not need £300 in cash AND £300 in gold AND £300 in investments. Rather, if your total combined zakatable wealth across all categories equals or exceeds nisab (using silver, approximately £300 to £400), Zakat becomes due. Sum all zakatable assets and compare the total to nisab threshold.
Asset inclusion
What wealth counts toward nisab comparison
Understanding which assets to include in nisab assessment.
For what is nisab measured against, include all zakatable wealth and exclude non-zakatable items:
✓Include in Nisab Calculation
- •
Cash and bank savings
All currency in accounts, wallets, under mattress
- •
Gold and silver
Investment gold/silver, and jewelry (depending on scholarly position)
- •
Stocks and investments
Shares, bonds, mutual funds, investment portfolios
- •
Business inventory
Merchandise held for sale, trade goods
- •
Money owed to you
Loans given to others that you expect to recover
- •
Pension funds (debated)
Accessible pension savings according to some scholars
✗Exclude from Nisab Calculation
- •
Primary residence
The home you live in regardless of value
- •
Personal vehicles
Cars, motorcycles used for personal transport
- •
Household items
Furniture, appliances, personal belongings
- •
Personal clothing
Clothing worn for personal use
- •
Tools of trade
Equipment needed for earning livelihood
- •
Basic necessities
Items essential for survival and daily living
Deducting debts from wealth for nisab
Most scholars allow deducting immediate debts from zakatable wealth before comparing to nisab. If you have £5,000 in savings but owe £4,500 in debts due this year, your net zakatable wealth is £500. Compare this £500 to nisab (approximately £300 to £400 using silver). For what is nisab after debt deduction, if your net wealth (assets minus immediate debts) falls below nisab, Zakat is not obligatory that year.
Long-term debts like mortgages have scholarly discussion. Some scholars do not allow mortgage deduction since the home itself is not zakatable. Others permit considering mortgage burden. For what is nisab with mortgage debt, consult scholars from your preferred school for specific guidance on long-term debt treatment.
Complete assessment
Compare your wealth to current nisab
Use our calculator with updated nisab values for accurate assessment.
Use Zakat Calculator →Real situations
Examples of nisab comparison in different scenarios
Complete scenarios showing nisab assessment.
Person just meeting silver nisab threshold
Situation: Ahmed has £3,500 total savings in his bank account. He wants to know if he meets nisab and owes Zakat. Current silver price is £0.58 per gram.
Nisab calculation: Silver nisab = 612.36 grams × £0.58/gram = £355.17. Using silver nisab (recommended by scholars), the threshold is £355.17.
Wealth comparison: Ahmed's wealth (£3,500) far exceeds silver nisab (£355.17). He meets the threshold by a substantial margin.
Hawl assessment: Ahmed has maintained savings above £355 for over two years, so the one-year hawl requirement is met.
Zakat obligation: Yes, Ahmed must pay Zakat. His Zakat is £3,500 × 2.5% = £87.50 annually.
Key insight about what is nisab: Even modest savings can exceed nisab when using the silver standard. The relatively low silver nisab threshold (£300 to £400) makes Zakat accessible for middle-income Muslims to fulfill this pillar.
Person below nisab using silver but above using gold
Situation: Fatima has £2,000 in total zakatable wealth (savings and a small amount of investment gold). She is uncertain about nisab. Current prices: gold £45/gram, silver £0.60/gram.
Silver nisab calculation: 612.36g × £0.60 = £367.42 silver nisab.
Gold nisab calculation: 87.48g × £45 = £3,936.60 gold nisab.
Comparison: Fatima's £2,000 wealth exceeds silver nisab (£367.42) but falls below gold nisab (£3,936.60).
Which nisab to use? Following contemporary scholarly recommendation, Fatima should use silver nisab. By this standard, she exceeds nisab and owes Zakat.
Zakat obligation: Using silver nisab (recommended), Fatima owes Zakat: £2,000 × 2.5% = £50 annually.
Key insight about what is nisab: The substantial difference between gold and silver nisab means many Muslims fall into this middle category. Following mainstream scholarly guidance to use silver nisab ensures fulfillment of this obligation and supports the poor.
Person with debts reducing wealth below nisab
Situation: Yusuf has £8,000 in savings but owes £7,500 in immediate debts (credit cards, personal loans) due within the year. He wants to know if he meets nisab. Silver nisab is £380.
Gross wealth: £8,000 in zakatable savings.
Debt deduction: Most scholars permit deducting immediate debts. Net wealth: £8,000 minus £7,500 = £500.
Nisab comparison: Net wealth (£500) exceeds silver nisab (£380). Despite debts, Yusuf still meets nisab threshold.
Zakat obligation: Scholars differ on whether Zakat is calculated on gross (£8,000) or net (£500) wealth. The majority position allows calculating on net wealth after debt deduction: £500 × 2.5% = £12.50 Zakat.
Alternative scenario: If Yusuf owed £7,800 instead, his net wealth would be £200, below nisab. In this case, no Zakat would be due as he does not meet the threshold.
Key insight about what is nisab: Debt burden can reduce zakatable wealth below nisab, potentially eliminating Zakat obligation. This demonstrates Islam's mercy in not burdening the debt-laden while still obligating those with net wealth capacity.
Person with mixed assets meeting nisab collectively
Situation: Maryam has various assets: £1,200 cash savings, £800 in stocks, 30 grams of investment gold (worth £1,350 at £45/gram). She wants to know if she meets nisab. Silver nisab is £370.
Total zakatable wealth: Cash £1,200 + stocks £800 + gold £1,350 = £3,350 total.
Nisab comparison: Total wealth £3,350 far exceeds silver nisab £370. Maryam clearly meets the threshold.
Important principle: What is nisab assessed against is total combined wealth, not individual asset categories. Maryam does not need £370 in cash AND £370 in stocks AND £370 in gold. Rather, her combined total of all zakatable assets is compared to nisab.
Zakat obligation: Maryam owes Zakat on her total zakatable wealth: £3,350 × 2.5% = £83.75 annually.
Key insight about what is nisab: Combine all zakatable wealth across all categories before comparing to nisab. Small amounts in various assets can collectively exceed nisab even if no single asset category alone reaches the threshold.
Complete your obligation
Calculate your Zakat if you meet nisab
Determine if you meet the threshold and calculate your 2.5% obligation.
Calculate Zakat Now →Islamic evidence
Quran and Sahih Hadith on nisab
Authentic textual sources establishing the nisab threshold.
Quran
Give from what you possess
Quran 2:267
Allah commands giving from good things acquired. The Quran establishes Zakat on possessed wealth. While nisab specifics come from Hadith, the Quranic principle of Zakat on acquired possessions provides the foundation for what is nisab as minimum threshold.
Quran
In their wealth is a determined right
Quran 51:19
Allah establishes determined rights in wealth for the poor and needy. The concept that only those with sufficient wealth have this obligation aligns with what is nisab as the threshold determining who possesses wealth requiring purification.
Quran
Those who hoard gold and silver
Quran 9:34
Allah warns about hoarding gold and silver without paying their due. This verse connects to nisab by establishing gold and silver as wealth measures, supporting the Prophetic use of these metals to define the Zakat threshold.
Quran
Not causing hardship in religion
Quran 2:286
Allah does not burden souls beyond capacity. The nisab threshold reflects this principle by exempting those with insufficient means from Zakat, ensuring obligation falls only on those financially capable.
Hadith
No Zakat on less than five awaq of silver
Sahih al-Bukhari 1405
The Prophet (peace be upon him) established that no Zakat is due on less than five awaq (equivalent to 200 dirhams or 612.36 grams) of silver. This hadith definitively establishes what is nisab for silver at 612.36 grams.
Hadith
No Zakat on less than twenty mithqals of gold
Sunan Abu Dawud 1573
The Prophet (peace be upon him) specified no Zakat on gold below twenty mithqals (87.48 grams). This authentic hadith establishes what is nisab for gold at exactly 87.48 grams, the standard maintained for fourteen centuries.
Hadith
No share for the rich or able
Sunan Abu Dawud 1633
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said Zakat has no share for the rich or strong who can earn. This hadith supports the nisab concept by establishing that only those with sufficient wealth pay Zakat, while those below the threshold may receive it.
Hadith
Zakat on possessed wealth
Sahih Muslim 987
Hadith establish Zakat on wealth possessed above nisab for one year. The Prophetic teaching consistently references minimum thresholds, providing the foundation for what is nisab as the dividing line for Zakat obligation.
Universal scholarly consensus on nisab amounts
All Islamic schools of jurisprudence unanimously agree on what is nisab in terms of the specific weights: 87.48 grams of gold (20 mithqals) and 612.36 grams of silver (200 dirhams). These amounts are established through authentic Prophetic teaching preserved across fourteen centuries with complete consensus. The Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi, and Hanbali schools all use these exact same nisab weights without variation. Where scholars differ is not on the weights themselves but on which standard to apply to modern cash and wealth: gold nisab or silver nisab. Contemporary scholarly councils increasingly recommend silver nisab for its lower threshold benefiting the poor, though both remain valid Islamically. Classical scholars meticulously preserved the precise nisab measurements through generations, ensuring Muslims in every era could determine with certainty whether their wealth meets the threshold. For what is nisab according to universal Islamic consensus, the answer is definitively 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver as established by the Prophet (peace be upon him), with contemporary application involving choice between these two Prophetically validated standards based on benefit to the Muslim community and the poor.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about what is nisab
Direct answers to common nisab questions.
What is nisab in simple terms?▾
Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must possess for one lunar year before Zakat becomes obligatory. It is equivalent to 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver. For what is nisab practically, it is approximately £3,600-4,000 using gold or £300-400 using silver at current prices.
What is the nisab amount for 2025?▾
The nisab amount varies with gold and silver prices. As of 2025, using gold nisab is approximately £3,600-4,000 (87.48g gold at £41-46 per gram). Using silver nisab is approximately £300-400 (612.36g silver at £0.50-0.65 per gram). For what is nisab currently, check today's precious metal prices.
Should I use gold nisab or silver nisab?▾
Most contemporary scholars recommend using silver nisab because it is lower, making more people eligible to pay Zakat and help the needy. Silver nisab is approximately £300-400 while gold nisab is approximately £3,600-4,000. For what is nisab to use, silver is the more inclusive and commonly recommended standard.
How do you calculate nisab?▾
Calculate nisab by checking current gold or silver prices, then multiplying: Gold nisab = 87.48 grams × current gold price per gram. Silver nisab = 612.36 grams × current silver price per gram. For what is nisab calculation, use reliable precious metal price sources for accuracy.
What wealth counts toward nisab?▾
Count cash savings, gold and silver, business inventory, stocks and investments, and other zakatable assets toward nisab. Do not count your primary home, personal car, furniture, or non-zakatable items. For what is nisab assessed against, combine all zakatable wealth and compare to the threshold.
Do you pay Zakat if you are exactly at nisab?▾
Yes, if your wealth equals nisab exactly, Zakat is obligatory. The nisab is the minimum threshold where obligation begins. At or above nisab for one year triggers the 2.5% Zakat requirement. For what is nisab as threshold, it marks the point where Zakat becomes due.
What if my wealth fluctuates around nisab during the year?▾
The majority position requires wealth to be at or above nisab at the beginning and end of your Zakat year. Fluctuations in between generally do not break the obligation. For what is nisab in fluctuating situations, check if you meet threshold at your Zakat date and did when the year began.
Why are gold and silver nisab amounts different in value?▾
The historical gold to silver ratio at the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was approximately 1:7. Modern ratios are much higher (around 1:80 or more) due to market changes. For what is nisab with different values, both thresholds are valid; scholars discuss which to use based on benefit to the poor.
Can nisab be calculated in local currency?▾
Yes, nisab is ultimately calculated in your local currency by converting gold or silver weight to current market value in pounds, dollars, or other currency. For what is nisab in practical terms, calculate 87.48g gold or 612.36g silver in your local currency at current prices.
What is the origin of the nisab amounts?▾
The nisab amounts come from authentic Hadith where the Prophet (peace be upon him) established 20 mithqals (87.48g) of gold or 200 dirhams (612.36g) of silver as minimum thresholds. For what is nisab historically, these Prophetic specifications remain the definitive standard for all time.
Quick reference
Nisab values at different precious metal prices
Understanding how nisab changes with market prices.
| Gold Price/Gram | Gold Nisab (87.48g) | Silver Price/Gram | Silver Nisab (612.36g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| £40 | £3,499.20 | £0.50 | £306.18 |
| £42 | £3,674.16 | £0.55 | £336.80 |
| £44 | £3,849.12 | £0.60 | £367.42 |
| £46 | £4,024.08 | £0.65 | £398.03 |
| £48 | £4,199.04 | £0.70 | £428.65 |
Determine your Zakat obligation
Check if your wealth meets nisab threshold
Now that you comprehensively understand what is nisab including the definitive Prophetic amounts of 87.48 grams gold or 612.36 grams silver, the contemporary scholarly recommendation to use silver nisab for its lower threshold benefiting the poor, how to calculate nisab in your local currency using current precious metal prices, and which assets to include in your total wealth comparison, determine whether you meet nisab and calculate your 2.5% annual Zakat obligation. Use our calculator with automatically updated nisab values to assess your wealth accurately and fulfill this fundamental pillar of Islam with confidence.
Related educational guides
Disclaimer: This guide provides comprehensive educational information about what is nisab based on authentic Hadith and universal scholarly consensus on the definitive amounts of 87.48 grams gold and 612.36 grams silver. These nisab weights are firmly established without any scholarly dispute across all Islamic schools and periods. However, application to individual circumstances may vary based on choice between gold and silver nisab, debt considerations, specific asset classifications, and personal financial contexts. While the nisab amounts themselves are universally agreed upon, questions about which nisab to use for modern wealth, debt deduction methods, and specific asset treatment may benefit from consultation with qualified Islamic scholars. The contemporary scholarly recommendation to use silver nisab represents mainstream guidance though gold nisab remains Islamically valid. This guide represents orthodox Islamic teaching on what is nisab providing foundational knowledge for Zakat obligation determination.
About this Content
Written by the Zakat Finance editorial team. All content is based on authentic Islamic scholarship and is reviewed regularly to ensure accuracy. The content aims to provide guidance on Zakat calculation and does not replace advice from a qualified Islamic scholar.
Last updated: February 2026
Method note: We present common scholarly approaches to Zakat calculation, encouraging consultation with trusted scholars for personal cases.