زكاة المال
ZAKAT AL-MAL
HAWL · 2.5% · NISAB
Yearly zakat on wealth — cash, gold, investments, business inventory, and eligible assets. Obligatory once a full lunar year passes while wealth remains above the nisab threshold.
- Annual obligation – due every lunar year
- 2.5% of eligible assets (quarter of a tenth)
- Nisab: value of 85g gold / 595g silver
- Purifies wealth, assists eight categories of recipients
includes gold, silver, cash, savings, stocks, rental income
زكاة الفطر
ZAKAT AL-FITR
EID AL-FITR · BEFORE SALAH
Special charity at the end of Ramadan. Given before Eid prayer; obligatory upon every Muslim — including children — who possesses food beyond their needs.
- Due before Eid prayer – not delayed
- About 2.5–3 kg of staple food (wheat, dates, barley, raisins) or its cash equivalent
- Purifies any shortfalls in fasting, and helps the poor celebrate Eid
- Paid on behalf of dependents (father pays for children, etc.)
approx. $10–15 per person (varies by region)
Q Questions parents & teachers ask
1 “My son is 9, does he pay Zakat al-Fitr?”
teacher Yes, Zakat al-Fitr is due on every Muslim, regardless of age, as long as they have provision beyond their need. The guardian (usually parent) pays on behalf of minor children. So you would give for your son and yourself.
2 “If we pay Zakat al-Mal early, can we combine with Fitr?”
teacher They are separate obligations. Zakat al-Mal is based on your lunar year (hawl), while Zakat al-Fitr is tied to Ramadan. You can give both at the same time if your hawl ends near Ramadan, but intention must differentiate. Many families calculate Mal before Ramadan and Fitr at the end.
3 “What if we give money instead of food for Fitr?”
teacher Most scholars allow cash equivalent (especially Hanafi school) to make it easier for the poor. The amount should equal the market value of approx. 2.5–3kg staple food. Check local Islamic center for precise value — often around $10–12 per person in Western countries.
4 “We have gold saved for our daughter’s wedding — Zakat due?”
teacher Yes, if it reaches nisab (approx. 85g) and a lunar year passes, Zakat al-Mal is due on it. Intention for future use does not exempt zakat. You can pay 2.5% of its current market value.
5 “How do I explain nisab to my teenager?”
teacher Use the gold example: if they own savings equal to the price of 85 grams of gold and kept it for one Hijri year, 2.5% is due. For Zakat al-Fitr, nisab is not a condition; every Muslim who has surplus food on Eid night must give.
In-depth: Zakat conditions & wisdom
Nisab The minimum wealth threshold. For Zakat al-Mal, use either gold (85g) or silver (595g) – silver is more inclusive for helping poor. Many choose silver value to increase zakat recipients.
Hawl Lunar year anniversary. Your wealth must remain above nisab for the entire cycle. Zakat al-Fitr has no hawl — it’s a one-off per Ramadan.
Zakat purifies the soul from stinginess, fosters community, and reminds us that wealth is a trust from Allah. The secondary color #ffbd59 reflects the warmth of giving, while deep #36467C symbolises sincerity and depth.
