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What is zakat and how is it calculated?

Short answerZakat is a pillar of Islam: an obligatory share of wealth owed by those who have enough to the poor and the other categories named in the Quran. It is 2.5% of savings, cash, gold and trade goods once they reach the nisab (the value of 85 grams of gold) and have been held for a lunar year, after deducting due debts.

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Who receives it?

Quran
۞ إِنَّمَا ٱلصَّدَقَٰتُ لِلۡفُقَرَآءِ وَٱلۡمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱلۡعَٰمِلِينَ عَلَيۡهَا وَٱلۡمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمۡ وَفِي ٱلرِّقَابِ وَٱلۡغَٰرِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱبۡنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِۖ فَرِيضَةٗ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٞ

Die Almosen sind nur für die Armen, die Bedürftigen, diejenigen, die damit beschäftigt sind, diejenigen, deren Herzen vertraut gemacht werden sollen, (den Loskauf von) Sklaven, die Verschuldeten, auf Allahs Weg und (für) den Sohn des Weges, als Verpflichtung von Allah. Allah ist Allwissend und Allweise.

At-Tawbah 9:60

Nisab and rate

  • Cash, gold and trade goods: 2.5% once they reach the nisab and a lunar year passes.
  • Crops: 5% if irrigated by effort, 10% if rain-fed.
  • Livestock and minerals have their own thresholds detailed by jurists.

Use the zakat calculator on this site for an estimate.

Its effect

It purifies wealth and the soul and builds solidarity. It differs from voluntary charity (sadaqah), which is encouraged at any time.

Hadith
بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ ... وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ

Islam is built upon five ... and paying zakat.

Al-Bukhari 8, Muslim 16

Häufige Fragen

Is zakat due on my wife’s jewellery?

Scholars differ: Hanafis require it, while others do not for permissible jewellery in use. Ask a scholar.

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