Everything you need to know about Zakat: what it is, who must pay it, how to calculate it on different assets, and the Nisab threshold for 2026.
Zakat is the third pillar of Islam. It is an obligatory form of charity that requires every Muslim whose wealth exceeds a minimum threshold (Nisab) to give 2.5% of their qualifying wealth annually to those in need.
Allah says in the Quran: "Take from their wealth a charity to purify and sanctify them" (Quran 9:103). Zakat purifies wealth, helps the poor and strengthens the Muslim community.
The Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth you must possess for Zakat to be obligatory. There are two measures:
| Nisab Standard | Weight | Approx. Value (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Nisab | 85 grams of gold | ~€7,200 / $7,800 / £6,100 |
| Silver Nisab | 595 grams of silver | ~€550 / $600 / £480 |
Most scholars recommend using the silver Nisab as it benefits more recipients. If your total wealth exceeds either threshold and you have held it for one full lunar year (hawl), Zakat is due.
Add up all qualifying assets:
| Asset Type | Zakatable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cash savings | ✅ Yes | Bank accounts, cash at home |
| Gold & silver | ✅ Yes | Jewellery (varies by madhab), bars, coins |
| Stocks & investments | ✅ Yes | Market value at time of calculation |
| Cryptocurrency | ✅ Yes | Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins etc. |
| Business inventory | ✅ Yes | Goods held for sale |
| Rental income | ✅ Yes | Accumulated savings from rent |
| Primary home | ❌ No | Personal-use assets are exempt |
| Personal car | ❌ No | Personal-use assets are exempt |
| Daily clothing | ❌ No | Personal-use assets are exempt |
Deduct any debts or liabilities that are due for payment now (e.g. rent due, bills, credit card balance). Long-term debts like a mortgage are generally not deducted in full — only the upcoming instalment.
Example: You have €15,000 in savings, €2,000 in gold jewellery, and €1,000 in crypto. You owe €500 on a credit card.
Enter your assets and get an instant calculation with Nisab check included.
Calculate Your Zakat →There is a scholarly difference on this. The Hanafi madhab considers gold jewellery zakatable, while the Shafi'i and Hanbali madhabs generally exempt jewellery worn regularly. If in doubt, paying Zakat on jewellery is the safer option.
This is a separate obligation paid before Eid al-Fitr prayer at the end of Ramadan. It is approximately 2.5–3 kg of staple food per person in your household (roughly €7–15 per person). It is obligatory on every Muslim regardless of Nisab.
The Quran specifies 8 categories of recipients (Quran 9:60): the poor (fuqara), the needy (masakin), Zakat collectors, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, freeing captives, those in debt, in the cause of Allah, and travellers in need.