What is the value of Islamic Dinar and Dirham?

As per Islamic law, both Dinar and Dirham have some specific weights which were established by Umar bin Khattab رضي الله عنه. 

• 1 Islamic Dinar = 4.25 grams of 22k gold.
• Islamic Dihram = 2.975 grams of silver.
• 7 Islamic dinars = 10 Islamic dirhams.

Value of Islamic Dinar today

If we take into account the price of Gold today which is SR 237/gram or $63.2), one Islamic dinar would be equivalent to SR 1,007 or $268. 

Value of Islamic Dirham today

Similarly, if we take into account the price of Silver today which is around SR 2.84/gram ($0.75), the value of one Islamic Dirham would be SR 8.45 or $2.25.

Islamic benchmarks set in Dinar and Dirhams

You might be thinking why Islamic Dinar and Dirham are important today as they were the currency of the past. Well, in many Hadith, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has set benchmarks in Dinar and Dirham. Here are some of those benchmarks.

Blood Money

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ  set the blood money at 12,000 Islamic Dirhams. – Sunan Ibn Majah 2629

• Islamic Dihram = 2.975 grams of silver.
• 12,000 Islamic Dihram = 35.7 Kg of silver.
• Blood Money = SR 101,000 or $27,000 today.

Zakat Nisab

Islam sets the Nisab for Zakat at 190 Islamic Dirham. –  Musnad Ahmad 711.

• Islamic Dihram = 2.975 grams of silver.
• 190 Islamic Dihram = 565 grams of silver.
• Zakat Nisab = SR 1,605 or $428.
• 7 people who are not eligible to receive Zakat.

Kaffara for Intercourse during periods

Ibn ‘Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ said: If one has intercourse at the beginning of the menses,(one should give) one Islamic dinar; in case one has intercourse towards the end of the menses, then half Islamic dinar (should be given). – Sunan Abi Dawud 265

• 1 Islamic dinar if it was at the beginning of periods.
• Half dinar if it was at the end of menses.
• 1 Dinar = 4.25 grams of 22-karat gold.