Zakat is a Pillar of Islam that must be fulfilled by every Muslim. Giving Zakat is where one pays 2.5% of their wealth to charity every year to help others who are less fortunate.
Ultimately, giving Zakat is an act of worship, and it should be done with the correct and pure intention of pleasing Allah (SWT) by following Islam.
“Do not show lethargy or negligence in giving alms and charity till your last breath.” -Muhammad, upon him be peace (Bukhari and Muslim).
Those who must give Zakat must meet the following criteria. They must be:
If a Muslim goes below Nisab at any point in the year, they do not have to pay Zakat for that year. When they reach or exceed Nisab again, then their start date begins, and a year from then, they must pay Zakat.
Only those in need can receive Zakat, as seen in the following Qur’an verse:
‘Charity is for the poor, the needy, those employed to administer it, those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to the truth), the enslaved, those in debt, those who strive in the path of Allah and the wayfarer. An obligation from Allah, and Allah is the Knowing and the Wise.’ (Surah al-Towbah, 60).
We pay Zakat to fulfil the Pillar of Islam. It is a compulsory form of charity, and Allah (SWT) mentions that we must give Zakat in the Qur’an several times.
Zakat is also a means to help the wider community and Muslim Ummah by providing for them and supporting them with financial help. This relieves people’s burdens and helps them to live better lives.
We must pay 2.5% of the value of our gold to charity for Zakat. The values used to calculate Nisab are gold and silver. Zakat must be given on the gold we own, as well as silver, cash, stocks and other valuable assets.
The value of Nisab can change and fluctuate throughout the year, so it is important to check the Nisab amount when paying Zakat. The values of gold and silver also change, so it is important to check these values, too.
Use the Zakat Calculator on Muslim Aid to work out how much Zakat is to pay.
Zakat paid on any wealth, including gold, must be 2.5%. For example, if you have £1,000 worth of gold, you must pay £25. If you have £10,000 worth of wealth in gold, cash and other assets eligible for Zakat payments, then you must pay £250 as Zakat as this is 2.5% of the total wealth.
First, work out how much wealth you own. This must include gold, silver, cash, property, livestock, business stock and assets. Then, work out whether it meets the Nisab value. If it does, you must give Zakat. Simply work out 2.5% of the value and pay that in Zakat. Use the Muslim Aid Zakat calculator for ease!
You can pay your Zakat this year with Muslim Aid.
Charity is very important in Islam, in both compulsory and voluntary forms. Muhammad, upon him, be peace, said: “Charity does not in any way decrease the wealth and the servant who forgives, Allah adds to his respect; and the one who shows humility, Allah elevates him in the estimation (of the people).” (Muslim)
“Allah, the Exalted, says, ‘Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.’” – Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
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