What Is Zakaah?

Take from their wealth so that you might purify and sanctify them.' (The Holy Qur'an, chapter 9, verse 103

The word zakaah means 'purity' or 'to purify' and it represents charity; all Muslims who are wealthy enough, must perform this charity in order to purify their wealth in the eyes of Allah (swt). In other words, Allah blesses us with wealth; it is therefore our duty to give some of this back to those most needy, which purifies the rest of our wealth.

As one of the five pillars of Islam, it is an obligation upon all believing Muslims.

Who Needs to Pay Zakaah?

To pay the Zakaah, one must be a Muslim, sane adult, in possession of the nisab (the minimum amount of wealth that one must have before zakaah is payable) for one whole year.

Items from which wealth can be derived include: cattle, crops, gold, silver, and merchandise for business. Zakaah must be paid on cash deposits held in bank accounts.

Any personal items from which one cannot derive wealth, e.g. cars, utensils, food, clothing, shelter, furniture and which are not to be used for trade, are not included in the calculation of zakaah.

One must not only have the minimum amount of nisab but it must have been in one's possession for one whole year. A lot of people choose Ramadan as the month in which they pay their zakaah; both to remember it, and also because the reward for good deeds done in this blessed month is multiplied.

Zakaah with Islamic Relief
 

Islamic Relief uses, and has always used zakaah to help some of the poorest, most needy, and the most destitute people on the planet. Your zakaah donations bring joy to these people, who know that their brothers and sisters all over the world haven't forgotten them.

Your zakaah donations give hope to the poor; that one day and with the help of Allah (swt), they will be zakaah givers and not zakaah receivers.

Calculate your zakaah using the Zakaah Calculator

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