ANSWER:

You must give zakat on whatever cash you have in your possession now and all the gold, even the gold that you wear (if it reaches the nisab of 85 gms or more) and all the investments.

The date of zakat doesn’t change just because you turned some of the cash into investments. You also give zakat on the loan unless the one who took it doesn’t pay it back or every year apologizes for being unable to pay it back due to poverty.

The threshold (nisab) of money is the value of 595 grams of silver. You try and set a date and on that day, you calculate how much you have and give 2.5% in zakat. Every lunar year, you do this process on that date.

QUESTION: I had $30,000 in Jan 2025. In Jan 2026, I have $1000 on hand. I used $20,000 to buy silver and gold bars as investment and 10,000 dollars I gave as a loan. I also own two gold necklaces weighing 8gms all, for personal use. I did earn more throughout the year but I spent that for my basic needs, food, clothing and shelter. What amount should I pay Zakat on this year? I am very confused.