Zakat Calculator

According to many scholars, your zakat year (ḥawl) begins on the day your zakatable wealth first reaches the niṣāb (minimum threshold). From that date, you count one lunar year (about 354 days) and then pay zakat. If your wealth drops below the niṣāb during that year and later rises again, the Maliki, Shafi‘i and Hanbali schools restart the year, while the Hanafi school continues as long as you possess the niṣāb at the beginning and end of the year.

When you are paying for the first time and do not know exactly when you crossed the threshold, estimate a reasonable date based on when your savings or assets first exceeded the niṣāb. Some people choose a memorable Islamic date (such as the start of Ramadan) or simply use today’s date as their starting point. If in doubt, consult a knowledgeable scholar or choose an earlier date to avoid delaying your obligation.

When donating your zakat, ensure that the organisation distributes funds according to the eight categories of zakat recipients: the poor, the needy, administrators, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, captives seeking freedom, people in debt, those striving in the path of Allah and stranded travellers. Give with sincerity and humility, and avoid seeking praise or using your donation for personal or political gain. Select reputable, transparent charities with clear governance, and consider supporting causes and regions that are meaningful to you.

Zakat predates Islam and was practiced by earlier prophets. The Qur’an describes it as a “specified right,” and stories mention how prophets such as Isma’il and Jesus instructed their communities to establish prayer and give zakat. In the early days in Makkah, giving charity was voluntary, but about eighteen months after the Prophet’s migration to Madina it became an obligatory pillar of worship. Verses of the Qur’an connect zakat directly to prayer and emphasise that giving it purifies wealth and supports society. Today, the typical rate for wealth zakat is 2.5 % of a Muslim’s surplus wealth above the nisab threshold.

The word zakat comes from the Arabic root meaning “purification” and “growth.” Giving zakat purifies a Muslim’s wealth and soul and is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims whose wealth exceeds a minimum threshold (the nisab) must give a set portion each lunar year. The nisab is commonly defined by the value of 85 g of gold or 595 g of silver. Modern practice uses a 2.5 % rate on net zakatable assets held for a year. Scholars may differ on the exact threshold and which assets are zakatable, but the principle remains the same: pay from your surplus wealth to purify it and help others.

The four major Sunni schools agree on the obligation of zakat but differ in some technical matters. For example, the Hanafi school requires zakat on women’s gold and silver jewellery if it exceeds the nisab, whereas the Maliki, Shafiʿi and Hanbali schools generally exempt personal jewellery unless it is excessive or bought as an investment. In agricultural produce, all schools apply a 5 % or 10 % rate depending on irrigation, but they differ on which crops are zakatable: Hanafis include any crop that can be stored, while others limit it to staples like wheat, barley, dates and raisins. Modern scholars agree that investment assets such as stocks are subject to zakat: trading shares are zakatable on their full market value, whereas long‑term holdings may apply a zakatable ratio. Some jurists prefer distributing zakat across all eight eligible categories, while others allow giving all of one’s zakat to one eligible recipient. These differences offer flexibility without changing the core obligation to purify wealth annually.

The Qur’an lists eight categories of people who may receive zakat: the poor (fuqara) who lack sufficient means; the needy (masakin) who have slightly more but still cannot meet their needs; those employed to collect or administer zakat; those whose hearts are to be reconciled (new Muslims or friends of the community); captives or those seeking to free themselves from bondage; people who are in debt; causes in the path of Allah; and travellers who are stranded far from home. Scholars advise giving a recipient enough to cover their needs for a year and note that donors may allocate all their zakat to one eligible person or distribute it among several categories.

After calculating your zakat, consider donating through reputable organisations that distribute funds according to Islamic guidelines. Verify current nisab values and consult a scholar if your assets or debts are complex. Many Muslims also offer voluntary charity (sadaqah) in addition to zakat. Keeping records of your calculation and payment helps you fulfil your obligation each year. Always remember that zakat is meant to purify your wealth and support those in need; approach it with sincerity and gratitude.

Zakat is not only a pillar of Islam but also a social welfare system whose benefits can be appreciated by anyone. Islamic jurists explain that zakat creates a comprehensive financial and care support service that does not require any dues from recipients. It allocates portions of surplus wealth to support the poor, the indebted and travellers, and to reconcile hearts, which leads to a fair distribution of wealth and income. Regular giving also purifies one’s wealth, offsets greed and restores economic balance. For non‑Muslims or anyone seeking to organise their financial affairs and maintain a consistent charitable practice, adopting a discipline similar to zakat — for example, setting aside a fixed percentage of surplus income at a set time of year — can help cultivate generosity, impose financial discipline, reduce attachment to material wealth and provide steady support for those in need. Keeping records of such giving also helps you understand your finances better and plan future donations responsibly.

Islamic ethics emphasise that zakat should be given sincerely for the sake of God. Scholars warn against giving charity boastfully or as a means of belittling the recipient. The Prophet ﷺ taught that charity is nullified when a donor reminds the recipient of their generosity or uses charity to elevate their own status. Instead, give quietly and graciously, without leveraging your donation for personal, social or political gain. Your intention should be to purify your wealth and help those in need, not to seek praise or influence. In addition, ensure that your zakat comes from lawful sources and is distributed in a manner that preserves the dignity of recipients.

If you are unsure which madhhab (school) you follow, consider where your family or community historically learned Islamic law. The Hanafi school predominates across South and Central Asia, including Turkey, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and parts of the Balkans. The Maliki school is widely practised in North and West Africa, from Morocco and Algeria to Nigeria and Mali. The Shafi‘i school is prevalent along the east coast of Africa and throughout South‑East Asia, including Somalia, Yemen, Indonesia and Malaysia. The Hanbali school is largely confined to the Arabian Peninsula, notably Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Jaʿfarī (Twelver) jurisprudence is the official legal school in Iran and is commonly followed by Shia communities in Iraq, Bahrain and parts of Lebanon, while the Zaydi school is concentrated in northern Yemen. These geographical pointers are not absolute but may help you identify which tradition you most closely align with.