Zakah (Zakat)
The Third Pillar of Islam — Purifying your wealth by sharing with those in need
Az-Zakāh — meaning "purification" and "growth"
Zakah is the Third Pillar of Islam — an annual obligation to give a portion of your wealth to those in need. It is not merely charity; it is an act of worship that purifies both the giver and their wealth, and is one of the foundational pillars of Islamic community life.
2.5%
of total savings & eligible wealth, paid annually
8
categories of people who may receive Zakah (Quran 9:60)
1 year
wealth must be held above the nisab threshold (ḥawl)
What is Zakah?
Every Muslim who owns wealth above a minimum threshold (the nisab) for a full lunar year is obligated to pay 2.5% of that wealth to eligible recipients. The nisab is roughly equivalent to the value of 85 grams of gold (approximately $5,500 USD) or 595 grams of silver (approximately $450 USD).
The Quran mentions Zakah alongside prayer (Salah) over 30 times — underscoring that worship of God and care for humanity are inseparable in Islam.
Zakah is distinct from voluntary charity (Sadaqah). It is an obligation — a right that the poor have over the wealth of those who are more fortunate.
Types of Zakah
Zakat al-Mal — Zakah on Wealth
The annual obligation on savings, gold, silver, business inventory, investments, and similar liquid assets. This is what most people mean when they say "Zakah." It is calculated at 2.5% of total eligible wealth above the nisab, provided the wealth was held for a full lunar year.
Zakat al-Fitr — Zakah of Breaking the Fast
A smaller, fixed Zakah given at the end of Ramadan before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. It is obligatory for every Muslim who can afford it, given on behalf of every member of the household. The amount is typically equivalent to one meal's worth of a staple food, or its monetary value. Its purpose is to ensure that even the poor can celebrate Eid with dignity.
Who Must Pay Zakah?
- Muslim (Zakah is not required of non-Muslims)
- Adult (reached the age of puberty — scholarly discussion exists on children's wealth)
- Sane and of sound mind
- Free (historically; this condition is no longer generally applicable)
- Possesses wealth equal to or above the nisab threshold
- Has owned that wealth for a full lunar year (ḥawl)
Quran & Hadith on Zakah
وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ
"Establish prayer and give Zakah."
— Quran 2:43
خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا
"Take from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase."
— Quran 9:103
"Islam is built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger, establishing the prayer, giving Zakah, making the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting in Ramadan."
— Sahih al-Bukhari 8 — Narrated by Ibn UmarZakah Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate your annual Zakah. Enter your assets and the calculator will compare your total wealth against the nisab threshold and calculate the amount due.
Gold Nisab (85g)
$5,500
Silver Nisab (595g)
$450
Reference prices: gold nisab ~$5,500 USD, silver nisab ~$450 USD (static estimates — check current prices for precise calculations).
Who Receives Zakah?
The Quran specifies eight categories of people who may receive Zakah (Quran 9:60):
- The poor (al-fuqarāʾ) — those with little or no income
- The needy (al-masākīn) — those in hardship
- Zakah administrators — those who manage its collection and distribution
- Those whose hearts are to be reconciled — new Muslims or allies
- Those in bondage — freeing people from slavery or captivity
- Those in debt — people overwhelmed by financial hardship
- In the cause of Allah — Islamic welfare and education
- The stranded traveller — those far from home in need