Zakat is an essential part of Islam and is a way for Muslims to purify their wealth and distribute it to those in need. It is mandatory charity in the faith and one of the five pillars of Islam that believers follow to please Allah (SWT) and earn reward.
This type of charity is crucial for Muslims to follow their faith, but there is a lot to understand and rules to follow to give Zakat correctly. Calculating Zakat can be confusing, which can lead to errors and incorrect payments.
Our ulama-approved Zakat guide answers any questions you may have about the charitable obligation. It will help you understand what Zakat is, how to pay it and when it is due.
Download our Muslim Aid Zakat Guide to help; it is comprehensive and Ulama-approved. We also recommend seeking advice from your local imam for any personal queries you may have.
This charity is an obligatory annual payment for qualifying adult Muslims to share wealth with those less fortunate.
Only believers whose wealth exceeds the Nisab value, the minimum amount that they need to possess to pay Zakat, are required to donate this charity. The wealth should be held for one Islamic (lunar) year above the Nisab threshold.
This donation aims to purify a Muslim’s wealth by giving a portion of it to the needy. The term Zakat translates to “that which purifies” and helps those who need it most, whilst also cleansing a believer’s material possessions.
The donation pleases Allah (SWT) and brings Muslims immense blessings. Payments support those most in need both domestically and around the world.
The Holy Quran determined who is eligible to receive Zakat, stating:
“As-Sadaqat (Zakat) are only for the Fuqara' (poor), and Al-Masakin (the needy) and those employed to collect (Zakat funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah's Cause (i.e. for Mujahidun - those fighting in the holy wars), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.”
Chapter at-Tawbah Tevbe, 60
This means that when you give Zakat, you cannot just give it to anyone. A husband cannot give his Zakat to his wife as he is already responsible for her, just as he is for his children.
A wife, though, is permitted to give Zakat to her husband, so long as he meets the relevant criteria – she must not benefit in any way from this donation (i.e. the husband using the funds to pay for a gift for his wife).
Those eligible to receive Zakat can be placed into one of eight categories, which are:
Not every Muslim is obligated to pay Zakat as per the rules set out in the holy Quran. To be eligible to pay Zakat, you must be Muslim, past the age of puberty, of sound mind, free, have a positive cash/goods flow, and have personal wealth exceeding the Nisab value.
When giving Zakat with Muslim Aid, we ensure it’s distributed to those most in need. See the difference that your Zakat has and continues to make on those eligible to receive the donation.
Nisab is the threshold a Muslim’s personal wealth must exceed to be eligible to pay Zakat. There are two Nisab values from which the threshold is determined:
Because the valuation of gold and silver fluctuates, so does the Nisab threshold. This is why our Zakat calculator is so helpful; it helps Muslims calculate Zakat properly - if they qualify and what they owe.
A Muslim’s wealth must exceed the Nisab threshold for one full Islamic year, or ‘Hawl’. If your personal wealth dropped below the Nisab threshold at any point during the Islamic year but was above it both at the beginning and end of the Hawl, you should speak to your local imam for advice.
You should give Zakat when your wealth has exceeded the Nisab threshold for one full Islamic year from when it first exceeded it. Calculate the amount of Zakat you owe on the day you pay. This means that regardless of how much your wealth was above the Nisab threshold during the year, it’s based on how much your wealth is when you calculate Zakat.
The holy month of Ramadan is the most popular time of year for Muslims to pay their Zakat; it is believed that donating during this time yields multiplied rewards and blessings.
You can, though, pay Zakat any time during the year if your wealth has exceeded the Nisab threshold for a lunar year. This should also not be confused with Zakat ul-Fitr, or Fitrana, which must be paid during the month of Ramadan before the Eid prayers.
It can be confusing to know exactly how to pay Zakat. To help you, we have highlighted in our Zakat guide what the donation is calculated on:
Calculating Zakat properly can be tricky because of the many rules about what wealth qualifies for this mandatory donation.
Your Zakat is calculated on your wealth that surpasses the Nisab, including personal assets and cash. Zakat is only payable on property that does not contribute to your day-to-day living – i.e. a second home which you do not live in should be included in your calculations, while your first home, the one in which you do live, should not be included.
This applies to vehicles: your second car is eligible for Zakat calculations; it is considered a luxury, while your first car is considered a necessity and is not to be included.
The assets that are eligible to be considered for Zakat are:
What not to consider when calculating Zakat:
One asset Muslims need to pay Zakat on is the value of gold that they own. Before you can calculate how much you need to donate for gold assets you have, you need to understand what the Nisab is for this asset.
The threshold for gold is 87.48 grams, meaning if you have this amount or more, you will need to give Zakat. From this, you must work out the current value of the gold you have, which can change every year. The best way to do this is to seek expert advice closer to the time of donation, to have an accurate valuation of your assets.
After getting an accurate valuation for the gold you own, you need to calculate how much Zakat you should pay. Work out 2.5% of the value of your gold assets. If you have other assets eligible for Zakat, add your gold to them to total the amount you need to pay.
Silver is also eligible for Zakat and is a similar process to any gold assets. The only difference between them is that silver has a much lower value. This means that the Nisab threshold for these assets is higher than for gold.
You need to possess 612.36 grams of silver to pay Zakat on it. Use the same process as gold: seek expert advice for an accurate valuation of your silver so that you can calculate 2.5% of it.
You can pay Zakat in instalments, although it is preferred as a single lump sum. Those who know their wealth will remain the same can pay before the due date.
Zakat ul-Fitr, or Fitrana, is a different payment to Zakat that can only be made during the holy month of Ramadan, before the start of Eid ul-Fitr. Fitrana is traditionally given as food, but Muslim Aid will accept monetary donations.
This is valued based on the cost of current staple food items, meaning the price you need to pay for Zakat ul-Fitr can vary every year. It is expected to be around £5 to £6 per person in 2027, but it’s best to check closer to the time. This donation provides food for those most in need.
To easily calculate the amount of Zakat charity you need to pay, visit our Zakat Calculator.
Once you have calculated your Zakat, or if you already know the amount you owe, you can donate through Muslim Aid. This supports our appeals, which help thousands of innocent people living in poverty globally.
Give Zakat today and help those most in need.
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