Home > Islamic Fiqh > Zakat
The third pillar: conditions, nisab and rate, zakat of gold and savings, commercial goods, zakat al-fitr, the 8 categories of recipients and to whom not to give. Each page presents the ruling, the evidence and the schools' differences.
Zakat becomes due when wealth reaches the nisab, the equivalent of 85 g of gold or 595 g of silver in the schools, and stays there for a lunar year. The rate is 2.5% on gold, silver and trade goods, 10% or 5% on crops depending on irrigation, and livestock follows its own scales. Zakat is paid to the 8 categories of recipients fixed by Surah at-Tawba 60, and payment may be made in advance by the majority of jurists. At the end of Ramadan, zakat al-fitr is added, paid in food, 1 sa' of the country's staple, before the Eid prayer.
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Updated on 07 October 2026 at 6:42 PM
Allah designated 8 categories of zakat beneficiaries. His words:
"Alms are only for the poor, the needy, those employed to collect them, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, for freeing slaves, for those in debt, in the cause of Allah, and for the traveler: an ordinance from Allah, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise."
Surah at-Tawba, 60
Each category is defined and discussed school by school in the 8 categories of recipients.
Zakat becomes due when wealth reaches the nisab and stays there for a lunar year.
The rate is 2.5% on gold, silver and trade goods.
Crops pay 10% or 5% depending on irrigation. Livestock follows its own scales.
Payment may be made in advance, by the majority of jurists, and entrusted to an agent.
Distinct from zakat on wealth, it is due at the end of Ramadan, before the Eid prayer.
For the majority of jurists, it falls on whoever owns more than his household's food for 1 day and 1 night.
The Hanafis condition it on the nisab, whatever the wealth.
It is paid in food: 1 sa' of the country's staple.
2.5% on gold, silver and merchandise; 10% or 5% on crops depending on irrigation; specific scales for livestock. Details in the nisab and the rate.
From the nisab: the equivalent of 85 g of gold or 595 g of silver in the schools, held for a lunar year.
Surah at-Tawba 60 fixes 8: the poor, the needy, the collectors, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, freeing slaves, debtors, the cause of Allah and the traveler.
Yes, the majority of jurists allow it, with conditions detailed in paying zakat.
Yes: it is due at the end of Ramadan, in food (1 sa'). For the majority, it falls on whoever feeds his household; the Hanafis require the nisab. See zakat al-fitr.