Zakat plays a huge role in Islam and provides Muslims with an opportunity to purify their wealth and distribute it to those in need. It is an obligatory annual payment that has to be paid by adult Muslims who own wealth above the Nisab threshold (the minimum amount of wealth needed to qualify for Zakat). Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam, so is an act of worship that believers must carry out to please Allah (SWT) and earn rewards from Him. This type of donation is required every year, once a believer has held their wealth for one full Islamic (lunar) year. The reason why Zakat is so important is that it is a core pillar that guides Muslims in life, as well as allowing believers to cleanse their wealth by giving a portion of it to the needy. When Muslims give Zakat, they gain immense blessings from Allah (SWT) and help to transform the lives of those in desperate need.
It is a Muslim’s duty to give this type of charity as soon as they qualify for this payment, so it’s essential to fully understand the obligation and accurately calculate it. There is so much that goes into working out Zakat that it can be difficult to figure out what you owe. Emaan Relief has made it easier than ever to donate your Zakat with our handy Zakat calculator and information to help you fulfil your duty correctly and earn rewards.
Working out Zakat accurately is pivotal for you to be able to fulfil your obligation and earn rewards for your generosity. If you calculate your Zakat incorrectly, it means that your donation isn’t valid. Now, the amount you pay for Zakat will all depend on how much wealth you have that exceeds the Nisab, the types of assets you own and how many assets you have. This means that there is no set amount of wealth you need to distribute to the poor. However, there is an overall percentage that determines the portion of your wealth that you need to calculate and give, which is 2.5%.
When you calculate your Zakat correctly, you ensure that every individual, no matter their situation, gets access to the basic necessities to make life more comfortable. It is a chance for you to share your blessings with those who are facing poverty and properly acknowledge that their wealth is something given by Allah (SWT). This helps you realise what you have been blessed with in life and actually be grateful for your blessings, turning your attention away from materialistic possessions and focusing on what truly matters in life – your faith.
When it comes to the popular question, “How is Zakat calculated?”, many can become confused because there are many factors to consider to accurately calculate the donation. There are set Islamic rules around what sort of wealth qualifies you to pay Zakat, which are vital to fully understand. The Zakat you owe is calculated on your wealth that surpasses the Nisab threshold, which can include things like your personal assets and cash. On top of this, Zakat is only payable on a property that doesn’t contribute to daily living, such as a second home that you don’t live in. If you have a second property that isn’t used daily or you earn money from, this should be included in your calculations. Your first home, the one you live in, should not be included. This is the same for vehicles, with your second car that isn’t used daily being eligible to be included when you calculate your Zakat – a second car is seen as a luxury, but your first one is considered a necessity.
The assets you need to consider when working out Zakat are:
What not to consider:
A very popular asset that Muslims pay Zakat on is gold. Due to this, it’s important to know how to calculate Zakat on gold to be able to accurately make a donation. The value of gold varies a lot, especially every year, so it can be difficult to know exactly how much your gold is worth to calculate 2.5% of this. Before you can calculate your Zakat for gold assets, you need to know what the Nisab is for it. The threshold for gold is set at 87.48 grams, so if you have over this amount, you will need to pay Zakat on it. Once you’ve determined if you’re eligible for Zakat, you need to work out the current value of all the gold over the threshold, which can change every year. Due to this, it’s best to check with an expert closer to the time to value your gold assets.
From this, you should focus on working out Zakat for the total amount of gold by finding what 2.5% of the value is and giving this to charity. The same goes with silver, which you need to possess 612.36 grams for it to be eligible for Zakat.
Many wonder when should you pay Zakat, and this is because it is due for every eligible Muslim at different times of the year. You should pay your Zakat once your wealth has exceeded the Nisab threshold for one full Islamic year from the point your wealth first exceeded it. This is why Muslims give this donation at all different times because it depends on when they first exceeded the threshold. You should calculate your Zakat when you’re due to make your payment and not before. This is done so that Zakat is fair on everybody because it means that regardless of how much your wealth was above the Nisab during the year, it is based on how your wealth stands in the current moment.
Many Muslims give this type of donation during Ramadan as it is believed to bring multiplied rewards and blessings. However, if your Zakat is due before the holy month, it is best to pay it as soon as it's been a full year, unless you have good reason to delay it.
Zakat al-Fitr, known as Fitrana, is different to Zakat, but it is another form of mandatory donation. This should be paid during Ramadan before Eid al-Fitr begins, particularly before the Eid prayer. The aim of this donation is to spread the joy of the celebration to those in need who usually can’t join in when Eid comes around. Donating this before the Eid prayer ensures that your donations reach vulnerable communities around the world in time before the celebration begins. It helps to bring hope to the poor when facing hardship and transform their lives with sustenance and basic necessities, bringing a brighter future to them.
Fitrans is traditionally given as food, but in many regions, like the UK, it’s common to be a monetary donation. This is based on the cost of current staple food items, so the cost of Zakat al-Fitr can vary occasionally. In 2026, it will be around £6 per person, which every Muslim should pay, including children. At Emaan Relief, we take Zakat al-Fitr donations and use them to give food to those who are facing hunger in the world, spreading joy for the celebration of Eid. You can also check the price you need to pay closer to the time or with a Zakat al-Fitr calculator for a total amount for you and your household.
You can easily calculate your Zakat with our Zakat calculator tool. This helps you determine the exact amount of Zakat you owe. Whether you're calculating for personal wealth, business assets, or savings, our tool provides a quick and accurate assessment based on Islamic guidelines. Simply enter your financial details, and get instant results to fulfil your charitable obligations with confidence.
Use our Zakat calculator for 2026 and feel at ease that you have correctly done your duty to purify your wealth and help the poor all around the world. Donate Zakat today.
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