Zakat guide
Who pays, on what, how much and to whom, in plain words with the verses. Details differ between the schools of law: a local scholar can advise on your situation.
دليل الزكاة
Who must pay
A Muslim
Zakat is an act of worship, one of the five pillars of Islam.
Adult and sane
Most schools also require zakat on a child’s wealth, paid by the guardian; the Hanafi school does not.
Wealth above the nisab
Worth at least 85 g of gold or 595 g of silver after debts due now: today $11,061 or $1,032.
A full lunar year
The wealth has stayed above the nisab for one Hijri year (hawl). Crops and minerals follow other rules.
The command
وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱرْكَعُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلرَّٰكِعِينَ٤٣
And establish prayer and give zakāh and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].
Al-Baqara 2:43· Saheeh International
خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ صَلَوٰتَكَ سَكَنٌ لَّهُمْ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ١٠٣
Take, [O Muḥammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [Allāh's blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.
At-Tawba 9:103· Saheeh International
What is zakatable, what is not
Counted
- Cash at home and money in the bank
- Gold and silver: coins, bars, savings
- Shares, funds and investment accounts
- Business stock at its sale value, and money customers owe
- Loans you expect to be repaid
- Rental income you have saved (not the property itself)
Not counted
- The home you live in
- Your car, furniture and clothes for personal use
- Tools and equipment you work with
- Property you rent out (its saved income counts)
- Debts you do not expect to recover
- Gold jewelry worn regularly: schools differ (counted by the Hanafi school)
Nisab today · USD
85 g of gold
$130.13 per gram
$11,061
595 g of silver
$1.74 per gram
$1,032
Rate: 2.5% of zakatable wealth, once a lunar year.
Use the calculator
A worked example
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4Give
Savings
$18,000
Gold coins, 20 g 22k
$2,386
Bill due now
− $1,200
Zakatable wealth
$19,186
Above the nisab?
Yes, gold and silver
Zakat due (2.5%)
$479.64
Schools of law differ on details: jewelry, long-term shares, debts, pensions. This guide gives the common ground; a local scholar can advise on your case.
At-Tawbah 9:60
The eight groups who receive zakat
Zakat is not a gift to anyone we choose: the Quran names who may receive it.
1. The poor
الفقراء
People with nothing or far too little to live on.
2. The needy
المساكين
People who earn something but not enough for their needs.
3. Zakat workers
العاملون عليها
Those appointed to collect and distribute zakat.
4. Hearts to be reconciled
المؤلفة قلوبهم
People new to Islam or drawn closer to it.
5. Freeing captives
في الرقاب
Freeing people from bondage, and by extension captivity.
6. People in debt
الغارمون
Those who cannot repay debts taken for lawful needs.
7. In the cause of Allah
في سبيل الله
Understood differently by scholars; ask locally.
8. The stranded traveler
ابن السبيل
A traveler cut off from his money, even if wealthy at home.
إِنَّمَا ٱلصَّدَقَٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَآءِ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱلْعَٰمِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَٱلْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَٱلْغَٰرِمِينَ وَفِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ٦٠
Zakāh expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed for it and for bringing hearts together [for Islām] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allāh and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allāh. And Allāh is Knowing and Wise.
At-Tawba 9:60· Saheeh International
Zakat may not go to those you already support, such as your parents and children. Many scholars prefer giving it in your own community first.
Zakat and sadaqah
| Zakat | Sadaqah | |
|---|---|---|
| Obligation | A pillar of Islam, required | Voluntary, always welcome |
| Amount | 2.5% of zakatable wealth | Any amount, even a smile |
| When | Once a lunar year | Any time |
| Who receives | Only the eight groups of 9:60 | Anyone in need, any good cause |
| Your family | Not those you already support | Yes, close family included |
Paying your zakat
AllahServants does not collect or hold zakat. You can give it to:
Someone you know
A person in one of the eight groups: the poor, the needy, someone in debt… Not your parents or children, whom you already support.
Your local mosque
Many mosques run a zakat fund kept apart from general donations and give it out locally.
A registered zakat charity
A charity registered in your country with a separate zakat fund.
Before you give to an organization, check that it:
is registered as a charity in your country and publishes its accounts
keeps zakat in a separate fund from other donations
gives zakat only to the eight groups named in At-Tawbah 9:60
tells you where and when your zakat was distributed
keeps its administration share small and says what it is
We do not recommend or link to any charity. A teacher can help you choose: ask in the Q&A.
This guide is guidance, not a fatwa: ask a scholar for your own case.