How to Calculate Zakat

The nisab—the minimum amount of wealth that makes Zakat obligatory—changes with market prices, and many scholars recommend using the silver nisab to extend help to more people, while others prefer gold as a benchmark. You can find current nisab values on trusted Islamic finance websites or easily check them using Crisis Aid’s free Zakat Calculator.

Zakat applies to gold jewellery if its total value surpasses the nisab and has been held for a full lunar year, although opinions vary on whether personal jewellery worn regularly is exempt. For pensions and investments, Zakat is due if you have access to defined contribution pensions or if shares are held for resale; the exact calculation depends on the type of asset.

When deducting debts, only short-term liabilities—such as bills or loans due within a month—can be subtracted fully. Long-term debts are usually considered partially, often by accounting for one year’s worth of payments rather than the total amount owed.

Using tools like Crisis Aid’s online Zakat Calculator simplifies this process, ensuring your calculation is accurate and compliant with Shariah. Remember, Zakat is more than numbers—it’s a spiritual act that purifies your wealth, earns Allah’s pleasure, and provides critical support to those in need.