A complete, practical guide to understanding and calculating Zakat on gold for Muslims in Saudi Arabia. All gold types covered: 24K, 22K, 21K, 18K.
Zakat (الزكاة) is the third pillar of Islam — the obligatory annual charity that Muslims pay on wealth exceeding a minimum threshold. Gold is one of the most common zakatable assets, as millions of Muslims in Saudi Arabia and across the world own gold jewellery, gold bars, or gold savings.
Zakat on gold is 2.5% of the total market value of your gold, payable once per Hijri calendar year, provided your gold meets the Nisab minimum threshold.
The Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must have before Zakat becomes obligatory. For gold, the Nisab is 85 grams of pure 24K gold.
| Gold Type | Nisab Weight | Approx. Nisab Value (SAR) May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 24K (pure gold) | 85 grams | ~SAR 27,200 |
| 22K gold | ~92.7 grams | ~SAR 27,200 equivalent |
| 21K gold | ~97.1 grams | ~SAR 27,200 equivalent |
| 18K gold | ~113.3 grams | ~SAR 27,200 equivalent |
Zakat on gold is only due if you have owned the gold continuously for one full Hijri lunar year (Haul — الحول). If you purchased gold 6 months ago, Zakat is not yet due. The Haul "resets" if your gold drops below Nisab at any point during the year.
Example: You own 150 grams of 22K gold. Current Saudi 22K price: SAR 295/gram.
Step 1 — Calculate total value: 150g × SAR 295 = SAR 44,250
Step 2 — Check Nisab: SAR 44,250 > Nisab (~SAR 27,200) ✅ Zakat is due
Step 3 — Calculate 2.5% Zakat: SAR 44,250 × 2.5% = SAR 1,106.25
Zakat due: SAR 1,106.25
There is a scholarly difference of opinion on this. The majority Hanafi view is that Zakat is due on all gold exceeding Nisab, including jewellery worn regularly. The Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali schools generally exempt jewellery intended for personal use. Given that Saudi Arabia follows the Hanbali school in most official guidance, many scholars here advise caution and recommend paying Zakat on all gold above Nisab.
Gold stored in bank vaults, gold ETFs, or gold savings accounts is fully zakatable — there is no "wear" exemption. Calculate the market value of your total gold holdings across all forms, check against Nisab, and pay 2.5% if the threshold is met and one Hijri year has passed.