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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

El zakat debe ser distribuido entre los pobres, los necesitados, los que trabajan en su recaudación y distribución, aquellos de los que se desea ganar sus corazones, la liberación de los esclavos, los endeudados, la causa de Dios y el viajero insolvente. Esto es un deber prescrito por Dios, y Dios lo sabe todo, es Sabio.

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

Preguntas frecuentes

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.

Los textos y traducciones están en revisión por sabios.