Can Gold and Silver be Combined to Pay Zakat?

Scholars differ on whether gold and silver can be combined to meet the Nisab for Zakat.

However, the majority opinion is that they should not be combined. The view allowing their combination is considered weak and not widely accepted.

The following methods combine the value of gold with cash and silver with cash to determine Zakat's liability.

Zakat on Gold and Cash

Zakat becomes obligatory if you have gold below the Nisab but the total value of your gold and cash reaches or exceeds the Nisab for gold.

For example:

Nisab for gold: 87.48 grams (as of January 2025, this is approximately PKR 1,310,000, depending on the gold price per gram).

If you own 70 grams of gold worth PKR 1,050,000 and have PKR 300,000 in cash, the combined value is PKR 1,350,000, which exceeds the Nisab. In this case, you must pay 2.5% Zakat on the total amount (PKR 1,350,000 × 2.5% = PKR 33,750).

Zakat on Silver and Cash

Similarly, if you have silver below Zakat nisab but the total value of your silver and cash reaches or exceeds the Nisab for silver, Zakat is due.

For example:

Nisab for silver: 612.36 grams (as of January 2025, approximately PKR 150,000, based on the silver price per gram).

If you own 500 grams of silver worth PKR 120,000 and have PKR 50,000 in cash, the combined value is PKR 170,000, which exceeds the Nisab. You must pay 2.5% Zakat on the total amount (PKR 170,000 × 2.5% = PKR 4,250).

Thus, gold and silver are generally not combined to determine Zakat's liability.

However, when calculating Zakat for gold or silver individually, you can add cash to their respective values to determine if the Nisab is met.

If the combined value of either gold and cash or silver and cash meets or exceeds the Nisab, Zakat becomes obligatory at 2.5%.

And Allah knows best!