Gold holds a special place in Pakistani culture. From wedding sets to family heirlooms, gold jewelry is an integral part of life in Pakistan. But many Muslims are uncertain about how Zakat applies to their gold, especially gold jewelry that is worn regularly. In this comprehensive guide, we will break down everything you need to know about calculating Zakat on gold in 2026.
Yes. Gold is one of the specifically mentioned Zakatable assets in Islamic jurisprudence. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "No owner of gold or silver who does not pay what is due on it, except that on the Day of Resurrection plates of fire will be heated for him." (Sahih Muslim)
This hadith makes it clear that gold is definitely subject to Zakat. However, the details depend on which school of thought you follow.
This is one of the most important distinctions when it comes to gold and Zakat:
The Hanafi school holds that Zakat is due on ALL gold, regardless of its form or use. This includes:
There is no exemption for "personal use" gold under the Hanafi school. This is the position adopted by leading Hanafi scholars including Imam Abu Hanifa (RA) himself.
The Shafi'i school generally exempts gold jewelry that is:
However, gold kept as savings, investment, or in excessive amounts beyond what is customarily worn IS Zakatable under the Shafi'i school as well.
Before calculating Zakat, you need to understand gold purity. Not all gold is 100% pure — jewelry is typically mixed with other metals for durability:
| Karat | Purity | Gold Content | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 24/24 | Gold bars, coins |
| 22K | 91.7% | 22/24 | Most Pakistani jewelry |
| 21K | 87.5% | 21/24 | Common in Gulf countries |
| 18K | 75.0% | 18/24 | Western jewelry |
| 14K | 58.3% | 14/24 | Budget jewelry |
In Pakistan, most gold jewelry is 22 karat, which means it contains 91.7% pure gold. When calculating Zakat, you should ideally calculate based on the pure gold content.
Follow these steps to calculate your Zakat on gold accurately:
Collect all your gold items and have them weighed. You can visit any local jeweler (sarafa) who will typically weigh your gold for free. Make a list of each item and its weight in grams.
Check the karat stamp on each item. Most Pakistani jewelry is 22K, but some items may be different. If you are unsure, a jeweler can test the purity for you.
For each item, calculate the pure gold content:
Pure Gold Weight = Total Weight × (Karat / 24)
Example: A 22K necklace weighing 30 grams
Pure gold = 30 × (22/24) = 27.5 grams of pure gold
Multiply the total pure gold weight by the current market rate per gram:
Gold Value = Pure Gold Weight × Current Rate per Gram
Current rate (2026): ~PKR 21,000 per gram of 24K gold
Example: 27.5 grams × PKR 21,000 = PKR 577,500
Add the gold value to your other Zakatable assets (cash, bank savings, silver, investments, etc.) and deduct any liabilities.
If your total net wealth exceeds Nisab, calculate 2.5% of the total amount. This is your Zakat.
Mrs. Malik owns the following gold jewelry:
Total gold weight: 125 grams (22K)
Pure gold: 125 × (22/24) = 114.58 grams
Gold value: 114.58 × PKR 21,000 = PKR 2,406,180
Other family assets:
Total assets: PKR 3,006,180
Outstanding debts: PKR 100,000
Net wealth: PKR 2,906,180
Nisab (Hanafi): PKR 153,090 ✅ Well above Nisab
Zakat = PKR 2,906,180 × 2.5% = PKR 72,655
Gold prices in Pakistan have been rising steadily over the past few years due to global market trends, rupee depreciation, and increased demand. Here is a rough overview of how gold prices have changed:
| Year | Approx. 24K Rate (PKR/gram) |
|---|---|
| 2020 | ~PKR 9,000 |
| 2021 | ~PKR 10,500 |
| 2022 | ~PKR 12,500 |
| 2023 | ~PKR 15,000 |
| 2024 | ~PKR 18,000 |
| 2025 | ~PKR 20,000 |
| 2026 (current) | ~PKR 21,000 |
As prices rise, so does the Zakat amount on the same quantity of gold. This means families who may not have been Zakat-eligible in previous years could now be above the Nisab threshold.
Yes. Once you have owned the gold for one full lunar year and your total wealth exceeds Nisab, Zakat is due. Wedding gold (jahez) is no exception.
Zakat is only on the gold portion, not on gemstones. Have the jeweler estimate the weight of gold minus the stones. Gemstones (diamonds, rubies, etc.) are not Zakatable unless they are held as business inventory.
Yes, you can give Zakat in gold or in its monetary equivalent (PKR). Most people find it easier to pay in cash.
Gold-plated items have negligible gold content and are generally not Zakatable. Only solid gold items are subject to Zakat.
In Islam, the owner of the gold is responsible for its Zakat. If the gold was given as a gift and is now owned by the wife, she is responsible for Zakat on it. However, it is permissible for the husband to pay her Zakat on her behalf with her permission.
Calculating Zakat on gold manually can be tedious. Our free Zakat calculator lets you simply enter the weight of your gold, and it automatically calculates the value and Zakat amount for you.