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Zakat — How to Calculate and Pay

Guide to understanding and calculating Zakat obligations.

5 Steps ~10 minutes Worship

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Check if your wealth exceeds nisab (approx 87.48g gold or 612.36g silver) for one lunar year.

Sunan Abi Dawud 1572

Include cash, gold, silver, business goods held for one full lunar year.

Note: Consult local scholar on gold vs silver nisab.

Zakat is 2.5% of total qualifying wealth.

Sahih Muslim 979

Include: cash, gold/silver, business inventory, investments. Exclude: personal items.

Zakat goes to specific categories mentioned in Quran.

Quran 9:60

إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ

Eight categories: poor, needy, collectors, reconciling hearts, captives, debtors, cause of Allah, travelers.

Note: Cannot give to dependents or those you financially support.

Pay calculated zakat to eligible recipients promptly.

Quran 9:60

لِتُصَّدَّقُوا

Ramadan is especially blessed for giving. Ramadan is especially blessed.

Note: Many Islamic organizations offer collection services.

Give with sincerity seeking Allah's pleasure.

Sahih Bukhari 1444

إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ

Actions are judged by intentions. Give secretly if possible.

Note: Continue giving voluntary charity (sadaqah) whenever possible.

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