Zakat calculator

Zakat questions answered by scholars

Every question and answer below is quoted word for word from the body named beneath it, with its fatwa number, a link to the page and the date we read it. Nothing here is written by us and nothing here is our ruling. The calculator above is arithmetic. For your own case, ask a scholar you trust.

1. School books state that the Nisaab for gold is (85 grams) of pure gold, so the Nisaab of circulated currency is calculated through multiplying (85 grams) by the current price of the gram of gold. However, the book [Al-Fiqh Al-Manhaji Ala Al-Math-hab Al-Shafie], states otherwise, so where did the Nisaab for gold (85 grams) come from and is it based on evidence from Sharia?

   … Modern scholars have resorted to Ijtihad (Independent reasoning) to assess the weight of the "Mithqal" or "Dinar" according to modern weights: Those who estimated the weight of the old gold dinar at (4.25 grams) said: The Nisaab for gold is the product of multiplying twenty by (4.25 grams), and that is (85 grams). This is the view of most modern scholars and it is also adopted by the General Iftaa` Department of Jordan.

   On the other hand, those who estimated the weight of the old gold dinar at (4.8 grams) said: The Nisaab for gold is the product of multiplying twenty by (4.8 grams), and that is (96 grams). This is the Nisaab adopted in the Shafie book [Al-Fiqh al-Manhaji] Moreover, there are other views, but we opted not to dwell on them. And Allah Knows Best.

   Note: 20*4.25 = 85 grams 20*4.8 = 96 grams

   General Iftaa' Department of Jordan · Fatwa 854 · Open the fatwa · Read 2026-09-06

2. How to Give Zakat on Trade Goods

   … Trade goods are subject to zakat once a full lunar year (ḥawl) has passed over them. At the end of the zakat year, the merchant must appraise the merchandise intended for sale using the wholesale market value on the zakat due date, in the currency in which the goods were purchased. This applies regardless of whether the value has increased or decreased during the year. The merchant must also add to this the cash on hand that resulted from commercial transactions. …

   In conclusion, The merchant is obligated to appraise their trade goods at the end of the lunar year, valuing merchandise intended for sale at the wholesale price on the zakat due date. They must add to that any cash on hand and any collectible debts, as per the rulings detailed above. Debts owed by the merchant are not to be deducted. If the total value reaches the zakat threshold—the equivalent of 85 grams of 24-karat gold—then 2.5% of the total must be paid as zakat. And Allah Almighty Knows Best. …

   General Iftaa' Department of Jordan · Fatwa 3712 · Open the fatwa · Read 2026-09-06

3. What is the ruling on the Zakah of debts which aren't likely to be collected and those likely to be collected? What is the ruling on Zakah of merchandise comprising of foodstuffs and how is it calculated? Is Zakah due on personal belongings such as cars?

   … Whoever has a debt on someone, and that debt has reached Nisab (the sum that equals the value of 85 grams of gold) by itself or when added to any sum that he already has, Zakah is due on it if he possessed it for a whole lunar year (Hawl) because it is a sum of money that meets the conditions of Zakah. Accordingly, Zakah is to be paid whether the debtor admits or denies the debt, or he was poor or rich, or it was due instantly or in deferred payments. Not having that money in possession does not mean that it isn't liable to pay Zakah . The manner of Paying Zakah depends on the kind of debt, which is either due instantly, or in deferred payments. Instant debt is of two kinds:

   First: it is due on a well-off person who is capable of paying it off at any time that he wills. Zakah is due on this kind at the end of every lunar year even if the creditor does not collect it as it is tantamount to possessed money, but at the safekeeping of another.

   Second: debt unlikely to be collected, or the debtor is stalling. Zakah is due for the past lunar years upon collecting it (debt) as stipulated by the Shafi`ite scholars, and this opinion is stricter since the Hanafi`ite scholars are of the opinion that Zakah is due on it for one lunar year upon its collection, and this is more facilitating. …

   General Iftaa' Department of Jordan · Fatwa 2898 · Open the fatwa · Read 2026-09-06

4. I have a sum of money that reached Nisaab in the month of Muharam. Six months later, I earned a thousand JDs. Should I pay the Zakah on both amounts or just the portion which reached Nisaab and one lunar year elapsed on possessing it?

   … Owning an amount of money equal to Nisaab (Minimum amount liable for Zakah) at a particular time, and owning a new amount after a few months-for example, owning ten thousand JDs in the month of Muharram, then earning another ten in the month of Thul-Hijjah, whether the latter was a revenue of the former or came from a separate source, such as inheritance-entails paying the Zakah of the first ten thousand after one whole lunar year elapses on possessing it (Hawl).

   As for the second ten thousand, its Zakah should be paid after a Hawl elapses on possessing it. This is because it was narrated that : Aishah said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say: 'There is not Zakat on wealth until Hawl (one year) has passed.” {Related by Ibn Majah}. He (PBUH) also said, " Whoever earns any money, he is not liable to pay Zakah, until the period of a year has passed (while still possessing the same amount of money)"{Related by Ibn Majah}.

   And this is the view of the Shafie jurists. Hanbali jurist are of the view that if the second amount of money was a revenue of the first, then both should be combined into one and its Zakah should be paid after a Hawl (One whole lunar year) elapses on possessing it. But, if it wasn`t a revenue of the first amount, then it`s Zakatable after a Hawl elapses on possessing it. On the other hand, Hanafi jurists said that both amounts should be combined into one and its Zakah should be paid after a Hawl elapses on possessing it, whether the second amount was a revenue of the first or not. In his commentary on the above Hadith. …

   General Iftaa' Department of Jordan · Fatwa 2951 · Open the fatwa · Read 2026-09-06

5. Are the salaries of an employee liable for Zakah? Should there be a separate lunar year for each Zakatable amount?

   … From an Islamic viewpoint, Zakah becomes due on money that has reached the minimum Zakatable amount (Nisaab) after the elapse of one lunar year.

   When one of these two conditions is missing, Zakah isn`t due.

   This is attested to by the Hadith in which `Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) said, " Zakat does not have to be paid on property until a year has elapsed over it."{Ibn Majah}. Thus, if the salary is spent on different aspects of life and no amount is saved then it isn`t liable for Zakah.

   But, if a portion of it is saved, the savings reach Nisaab, and a full lunar year elapses over possessing that amount, it becomes liable for Zakah. In addition,the Zakah of this amount must be given at the end of every lunar year so long as it equals Nisaab. …

   General Iftaa' Department of Jordan · Fatwa 3092 · Open the fatwa · Read 2026-09-06

6. I bought a flat as rental property, but it remained vacant. How much Zakah is it liable for?

   … Rental apartment isn`t liable for Zakah. Rather, the Zakah is due on the rental outcome once it reaches Nisab (Minimum amount liable for Zakah) and a full lunar year passes over receiving it. As for the apartment itself, it isn`t liable for Zakah. The evidence on this is that Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (PBUH) as saying: "No Sadaqa is due from a Muslim on his slave or horse." {Agreed upon}. This narration indicates that a Muslim`s belongings aren`t liable for Zakah-whether they were intended for rental or not-unless they were bought to be sold, and this is the view the four Imams and what is reflected in Resolution No.(2, 2/2) issued by the International Islamic Fiqh Assembly which reads:

   "First: There is no clear text of Sharia that rental property and land are liable for Zakah.

   Second: There is no clear text of Sharia that the output of rental property and land-excluding agricultural produce-are liable for instant Zakah. Thus, the Iftaa` Council decided what follows:

   First: Rental property and land aren`t liable for Zakah.

   Second: A quarter of a tenth is due on the produce as Zakah after a full lunar year passes over its reception, in addition other conditions , and that nothing prevents paying it (Zakah). " And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

   General Iftaa' Department of Jordan · Fatwa 570 · Open the fatwa · Read 2026-09-06

7. Which type of the poor is eligible to receive Zakah (Obligatory charity)?

   … As mentioned in the Noble Quran, there are eight categories eligible to receive Zakah. Allah the Almighty says {What means}: "The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarer; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is Knower, Wise." {At-Tawba, 60}. Accordingly, the poor and the needy are eligible to receive Zakah.

   The common factor between the 'Faqeer' (the poor) and the 'Miskeen' (the needy) is their state of need, but the degree of need varies for each category. The level of need is generally greater for the 'Faqeer' than for the 'Miskeen.' The 'Faqeer' is defined as someone who does not possess wealth or employment that generates sufficient income to meet their basic needs such as food, drink, clothing, medical care, and standard housing. On the other hand, the 'Miskeen' is characterized as someone who possesses some wealth or income but falls short of self-sufficiency. …

   In conclusion, what unites the 'Faqeer' and the 'Miskeen' is their state of need, but the need of the 'Faqeer' is more intense than that of the 'Miskeen.' However, both of them are among those who are eligible to receive Zakah. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

   General Iftaa' Department of Jordan · Fatwa 3841 · Open the fatwa · Read 2026-09-06

8. What is the ruling on a mother giving the Zakat of her wealth to her children?

   … It is permissible for a mother to give her children from the Zakat if they are among those who are eligible for it—such as being poor (Fuqara), possessing no wealth, and not being sufficiently provided for by the maintenance (Nafaqah) of others. This is based on the statement of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ regarding Zaynab, the wife of 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with them both): (Your husband and your children are the most deserving of those upon whom you spend in charity) [Narrated by Al-Bukhari]. …

   General Iftaa' Department of Jordan · Fatwa 4350 · Open the fatwa · Read 2026-09-06

9. What is the Islamic ruling on Zakah? What is the virtue of Zakah? When should Zakah be paid? And, is it permissible to pay Zakah before its due time?

   … A person must pay the Zakah of his wealth once it reaches Nisab {Minimum amount liable for Zakah} and a whole lunar year passes over its being in his possession. However, it is permissible to pay Zakah before its due time. Al-Shirbini said, "It is permissible to give Zakah in advance before it became due because al-Abbas asked the Messenger of Allah to allow him to pay his Zakah before its due date and he gave him permission to do so (Related by Abu Dawoud)." {Moghni al Mohtaaj}. …

   General Iftaa' Department of Jordan · Fatwa 3566 · Open the fatwa · Read 2026-09-06

10. What is the ruling on someone who possesses an amount (Nisab) liable for Zakat but does not pay Zakat until another year has passed? Should the previously due Zakat be deducted from the amount liable for Zakat in the second year, or is it subject to Zakat again?

    … Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam and an obligatory financial act of worship imposed on the wealth of the rich. It must be paid immediately once it becomes due, as it is a right of the poor, and delaying the payment of rightful dues without a valid excuse is prohibited. If one delays it without a valid excuse, they are sinful and remain liable for it. Imam An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "According to us, Zakat must be paid immediately. If it becomes due and one is able to pay it, it is not permissible to delay it. If one is unable to pay, they may delay it until they are able. However, if they delay it after having the ability, they are sinful and remain liable." [Al-Majmu' Sharih Al-Muhadhdhab/ Vol.5/P.333].

    Money that has been separated and set aside as Zakat is not subject to Zakat again because it has effectively become the property of the poor. However, the person liable for Zakat is sinful for delaying its payment if they were able to give it but did not. Imam Abu Is-haq Al-Shirazi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "If we say that Zakat is due on the wealth itself, and a person possesses the minimum Nisab (threshold) upon which Zakat is obligatory, but does not pay it until another Zakat year passes, then Zakat is not required for the second year. This is because the poor have already become entitled to a portion of that wealth equal to the amount of Zakat due, and as a result, what remains is below the Nisab threshold." [Al-Muhadhdhab/Vol.1/P.268].

    In conclusion, the money that is due for Zakat should not be subject to Zakat again. The amount of Zakat due should be set aside each year and deducted from the total wealth in the following year. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

    General Iftaa' Department of Jordan · Fatwa 3954 · Open the fatwa · Read 2026-09-06