What is zakat,and how is it calculated?

Zakat is the obligatory annual giving of a fixed portion (usually 2.5%) of a Muslim's wealth — beyond a defined threshold (nisab) — to specific eligible recipients. The Arabic word carries the meanings of "purification, growth, blessing." It is one of the five pillars of Islam and is commanded in dozens of Qur'anic verses alongside the prayer.

Zakat is obligatory on someone who meets all of these conditions: 1) Being Muslim, 2) Being of sound mind, 3) Having reached puberty, 4) Being free, 5) Owning wealth above the nisab threshold (in excess of essential needs), 6) That wealth having been held for one full lunar year (roughly 354 days). If any one of these conditions is missing, zakat is not obligatory.

Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth at which zakat becomes obligatory. The classical measures: 1) 80.18 grams of gold (or its monetary equivalent), 2) 561 grams of silver (or its monetary equivalent). In Türkiye, Diyanet announces the updated nisab amount each year based on the current gold price; at the beginning of 2026 it is around 250,000-300,000 TL (varies with the gold price). A person whose wealth in excess of essential needs exceeds this amount becomes obligated to pay zakat.

The calculation steps: 1) Total your zakatable assets (cash, bank deposits, gold and silver, trade goods, receivables). 2) Subtract debts and essential needs (items in continuous personal use are not zakatable). 3) Check whether the remaining amount exceeds nisab. 4) If a full year has passed, calculate 2.5% of it. Example: 400,000 TL net wealth → 2.5% = 10,000 TL zakat.

In classical fiqh, zakatable assets include: 1) Gold and silver (including jewelry — Hanafi), 2) Cash and bank deposits, 3) Trade goods (held for buying and selling), 4) Livestock (camels, cattle, sheep and goats — from specific minimum numbers), 5) Agricultural produce ("ushr" — 5%-10%), 6) Minerals ("rikāz" — 20%). A primary residence, a personal vehicle, household effects and personal items are NOT zakatable — they count as essential needs.

The Qur'an specifies 8 categories of zakat recipients in At-Tawbah 60: 1) The poor (fuqarā'), 2) The destitute (masākīn — needier than the poor), 3) Zakat administrators (modern: state or institutional zakat agencies), 4) Those whose hearts are to be reconciled (mu'allafat al-qulūb — new Muslims or those being drawn to Islam), 5) Slaves (for their freedom), 6) Debtors (those unable to repay), 7) Those striving in the way of Allah (jihad, knowledge, charitable work), 8) Travelers in need (ibn al-sabīl).

Zakat may not be given to: 1) Non-Muslims (they may be helped, but not under the heading of zakat), 2) The zakat-payer's direct ascendants (parents, grandparents), descendants (children, grandchildren) and spouse — these are owed financial maintenance, not zakat, 3) Descendants of the Prophet (peace be upon him) — the Banū Hāshim (debated in the Hanafi school), 4) The wealthy (those above nisab), 5) Mosques, foundations, associations (institutions — these receive "sadaqah", not zakat).

Sadaqat al-fitr (fitra) is a wājib charity that every Muslim of average means must give at the end of Ramadan, before the Eid prayer, on behalf of themselves and each dependent in the household. Differences from zakat: 1) There is no nisab condition — every average-means family pays it, 2) It is calculated per person, not on wealth (a separate amount for each family member), 3) It is not annual but specific to the end of Ramadan. Diyanet announces the amount each year (2026: around 130-150 TL per person).

Zakat has no fixed calendar date; it is paid once a full lunar year has passed over the wealth. Each person has their own "zakat year," starting on the date their wealth first reached nisab. Many people pay during Ramadan because rewards multiply (Tirmidhī). Zakat may also be paid in advance before the year ends, or accumulated and paid after a year in a single sum.

General rule: essential needs (the home you live in, the car you use, household items and furniture) are NOT zakatable. However, regarding JEWELRY (women's ornaments) there is a difference between schools: in the Hanafi school, gold and silver jewelry in use (necklace, earrings, bracelet) is zakatable; in the Shāfi'ī school, women's jewelry in use is exempt. A second home, a second car or property held as investment or for rental IS zakatable.

Debts are first subtracted; zakat is then paid on the remainder if it exceeds nisab. Example: 500,000 TL in assets + 250,000 TL in debt = 250,000 TL net. If below nisab, no zakat is due; if above, 2.5% is paid. For bank loan installments: the portion due within the year is subtracted from the assets, but later years are not. Credit card debt is also subtracted (up to the amount due within the year).

Zakat may be given directly to a person in need, as cash, goods or services. It is given to people other than one's own family members. It may also be given through a foundation, association or state zakat institution; in that case one must be confident the institution delivers zakat to legitimate recipients. In Türkiye, official organizations such as the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation, Kızılay and AFAD accept and distribute zakat.

Because zakat is one of the most fundamental pillars of Islam — like prayer — deliberately neglecting it is a major sin. The Qur'an states: "Woe to those polytheists who do not give the zakat and who deny the Hereafter" (Fussilat 6-7). During his caliphate, Abū Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) waged war on tribes that refused to pay zakat. In practice, an unpaid zakat obligation is treated as a debt that must be settled from one's estate after death.

Yes. The Hatırla İslam app includes a zakat calculator: you sum cash + gold + silver + trade goods + investments, subtract debts, and the app checks against the latest nisab and displays the 2.5% zakat due. Diyanet's updated nisab figure is refreshed automatically. You can set a calendar reminder for your zakat year and record the amounts you have paid. A separate sadaqat al-fitr calculator is also included.