How zakat is calculated
Zakat is 2.5% (one fortieth) of the wealth you have owned for a full Islamic year, once that wealth is above the nisab. Add up your gold, silver, cash, bank savings, business stock and money owed to you, then subtract debts that are due now. If the total is at or above the nisab, multiply it by 2.5%.
The nisab is the value of 52.5 tola (612.36 grams) of silver or 7.5 tola (87.48 grams) of gold. Because silver is much cheaper, the silver nisab is lower, so more people pay zakat and more reaches those in need. Many scholars in Pakistan recommend the silver nisab for this reason.
What doesn’t count
Your home, car, furniture, clothes and household items for personal use are not included. Jewellery rules differ between schools of thought; the Hanafi school, followed by most people in Pakistan, counts gold and silver jewellery.
This calculator gives an estimate for common situations. For business assets, shared property or anything unusual, ask a qualified scholar. Read our step-by-step guide: How to calculate zakat in Pakistan.