Zakat (Zakah) is one of the core pillars of Islam and is a mandatory form of charity and wealth purification. There are specific Zakat rules that determine who is eligible to pay Zakat and who qualifies for Zakat. At Emaan Relief, we understand the difficulties in understanding Zakat and the complex rules. To help you understand this significant charity donation and to help you determine if you’re eligible to pay Zakat, we have created this guide with everything you need to know. Explore just what Zakat is, why is Zakat important, who can receive Zakat and how/when to pay it.
Zakat is a mandatory form of charity for all adult Muslims who meet the Nisab threshold. It is the third pillar of Islam and is an obligatory payment. This separates Zakat from voluntary acts of giving in Islam, such as Sadaqah. Zakat involves the act of purifying wealth by giving a portion of it to those in need, which is prescribed by Islamic law. This compulsory act of charity also promotes social welfare and economic balance within local communities.
The Zakat percentage of one’s accumulated wealth is typically 2.5%, as long as the wealth exceeds the Nisab threshold which is a minimum amount that qualifies a Muslim to pay Zakat.
Zakat translates to “that which purifies” which showcases its purpose to cleanse wealth and purify the soul. It is an annual Islamic obligation that is measured based on a Muslim’s disposable income. This act of charity uses a Muslim’s qualifying assets, such as gold and silver possession and property once the Nisab threshold has been met.
A popular question about Zakat is, “Why is Zakat important?” Zakat is important for many different reasons. The main reason is that it is the Third Pillar of Islam, meaning Muslims fulfil the Five Pillars of Islam. Another reason is that it brings Muslims closer to Allah as an act of worship. Zakat also purifies one’s wealth and re-distributes wealth to those in need. Zakat creates a sense of community and boosts the Muslim community by relieving the suffering of those who don’t have sufficient means to live.
In terms of who is eligible to pay Zakat, there are a few rules outlined that aid Muslims in understanding when they need to pay their Zakat. Islamic guidelines that are found in the Quran state that a person should be:
Islamic guidelines not only specify who needs to pay Zakat, but they outline who can receive Zakat. People who are eligible to receive Zakat include:
At Emaan Relief, your Zakat makes a direct impact on these people in desperate need. We proudly operate a 100% donation policy for all Zakat contributions to ensure that every penny reaches these people. Donate your Zakat with Emaan Relief today.
Zakat is due annually once a Muslim’s wealth exceeds the Nisab threshold and has been held for a full Islamic year.
A Muslim must possess the Nisab threshold to be eligible to pay Zakat. The Nisab is the portion of wealth (minimum amount) that a person owns that requires them to pay Zakat. They need to possess the Nisab for a complete lunar year to be obligated to pay it.
The due date varies, depending on when a Muslim has exceeded the Nisab threshold. However, many Muslims often prefer to give their Zakat during Ramadan for added blessings. The Zakat percentage remains the same throughout the year regardless of when you pay it.
There are various ways to pay Zakat, and it can often be confusing to know the answer to how do you pay Zakat? The best way to ensure that your Zakat donations reach the correct people who are in need is to donate to a charitable organisation, such as Emaan Relief, which collects and manages Zakat for you. The quickest way to donate to us is to pay Zakat online via our website.
Zakat is never a fixed amount as it is calculated as 2.5% of one’s total assets above the Nisab. These assets can be:
All short-term liabilities, like monthly bills, personal loans and rent/mortgage for the Zakat month are subtracted from one’s asset total. As well as this, items that are considered necessary for living, such as your home or vehicle, are excluded from the Zakat calculations too.
There are different Zakat rates for farmers and owners of precious resources which are:
To help you calculate your Zakat accurately, Emaan Relief provides an easy-to-use Zakat calculator, ensuring you can donate Zakat correctly.
Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana) is different to Zakat. This is a donation that is made before the Eid prayer at the end of Ramadan. In 2025, Eid-al-Fitr is expected to be on or around 30th March and the donation needs to be made beforehand to ensure the needy receive it in time to enjoy Eid.
A common question with this donation is “How much is Zakat al-Fitr?” The price of the donation is one ‘saa’ (3kg) of a common staple food in your country. Muslims can choose to pay the monetary equivalent instead of their local currency. This equates to around £6 of staple food supplies in the UK at today’s prices. This means the minimum amount that needs to be donated is around £6 per person. Zakat al-Fitr is based on per person and includes children, meaning that a family of 4 will need to pay around £24.
You can pay Zakat al-Fitr to Emaan Relief to ensure those in need can have a nutritious, healthy and proper meal to celebrate Eid. We give the needy the resources, tools and food needed for them to be able to enjoy Eid-al-Fitr, helping all Muslims to join in the celebrations.
Pay Zakat online quickly and easily on our website. We ensure your Zakat makes a direct impact as we operate a 100% donation policy for all Zakat contributions, meaning every penny reaches those in need. We use your Zakat payment for:
We ensure that your Zakat is distributed timely as we strive to distribute the donation within three months of receiving it. Give Zakat online to Emaan Relief today to ensure your donation reaches those who need it quickly and transform lives.
