Frequently Asked Questions

Zakat applies to: cash and bank balances, gold and silver (including jewelry in a minority of scholarly opinions), stocks and investments, business inventory, agricultural produce, and livestock. Personal items like your home, car, furniture, and clothes are not zakatable.

Nisab is the minimum wealth threshold. You can use either the gold standard (85 grams of pure gold) or silver standard (595 grams of pure silver). Our calculator shows both values converted to your currency using current market prices. Some scholars recommend using the lower threshold (usually silver) to be more cautious.

Zakat is mandatory, subject to specific rates and rules; it may only be given to eight categories of recipients; and it is payable annually on wealth that has reached the nissab. Sadaqah is voluntary, has no fixed amount, can be given to anyone, and can be given anytime. Zakat is a pillar of Islam; Sadaqah is highly recommended.

Traditional Zakat is calculated using the lunar year (354 days) at 2.5%. Some scholars permit using the solar year (365 days) with a slightly higher rate of 2.577% to compensate for the longer period. Our calculator supports both methods.

This depends on scholarly opinion. According to the majority of scholars (Maliki, Shafi'i, and one opinion among the Hanbali), gold and silver jewelry worn regularly for personal adornment is exempt from Zakat calculation. However, the Hanafi school, and one Hanbali opinion, consider it subject to Zakat. Our calculator follows the methodology of the Kuwait Zakat House, allowing you to choose based on the intended use of your jewelry.

For stocks held for trading, Zakat is due on the full market value. For stocks held for dividends (long-term investment), scholars differ – some say Zakat on dividends only, others on the zakatable portion of company assets.

No – only debts that are currently due and payable should be deducted. Long-term debts like mortgages are not fully deductible because they're not immediately owed. The principle is to deduct what would be demanded from you today if all creditors called in their debts.

Business Zakat applies to: inventory/stock for sale (at market value), cash and receivables, and raw materials. Fixed assets used in the business (machinery, property, vehicles) are generally exempt. The calculation can be complex – our calculator helps break it down.

Yes, most scholars permit paying Zakat before the year ends, especially if there's a pressing need. However, you should still calculate properly when the year completes to ensure you've paid the correct amount.

You cannot give Zakat to those who are your dependants (children, spouse, adopted children, etc.) or to those whom you are obliged to support in times of need (father, mother). You may give to other family members such as brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc. Giving to them brings a double reward (mutual support + strengthening family ties).

After completing your calculation, click 'Save Calculation' on the results page. You'll need to be logged in with an active subscription. Saved calculations appear in your profile and can be viewed, printed, or compared year over year.

Yes. All data is encrypted in transit and at rest. We don't share your information with third parties. You can export or delete your data anytime from your profile settings. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

We primarily follow Kuwait Zakat House guidelines for classical Zakat rules and AAOIFI Standard 35 for modern assets like stocks and investments. The Applied Standards panel in your results shows exactly which methodology was applied to your calculation.

This calculator handles most common scenarios accurately. For unusual situations – disputed ownership, mixed business structures, complex trusts, or specific madhab requirements – we recommend consulting a qualified Islamic scholar alongside using the calculator as a starting point.