Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK

Definition of Zakat

The Promised Messiah (as) says:

"What is Zakat? It is taken from the rich and given to the poor. It teaches the highest level of human sympathy. Thus by coming together of the rich and the poor, the Muslims gain strength. It is a must for the rich to help the poor, and even if it were not so, it is a demand of human sympathy to do so. But nowadays, I see that people care the least even if their neighbour is starving to death, so engrossed are they with their own comfort and enjoyment. I can’t hold back what Allah has told me. Sympathy is a very precious gem that a man has. Allah Almighty says:

"You cannot achieve virtue until you spend out of that which you love."

This is not the Way to please God, for instance a Hindu's cow becomes ill and he presents it as Mans. There are many who give to the poor rotten crumbs which are of no use to anyone, and they imagine that they have given charity. Allah does not accept such things, nor is such charity acceptable. He clearly says that you cannot achieve virtue until you spend out of that which you love. Virtue cannot be called virtue until you spend for the propagation of the faith and the sympathy for mankind out of your possessions which you love."

(Introduction to Financial Sacrifice, Page 81)

Calculation Principles

"Zakat is not levied on all the items as a whole, rather it is levied on each item separately. Whenever an item is equal to or more than the Nisab, 52.5 Tolas of Silver (614.25 grams), Zakat will be levied on it.

Zakat will be levied on the total amount. It is not sufficient to pay Zakat on that which exceeds the Nisab. For instance, if someone has 55 Tolas of Silver, he shall pay Zakat on 55 Tolas and not just on 2.5 Tolas [= 55 - 52.5]."

(Introduction to Financial Sacrifice, Page 88)

"The Nisab for silver and the Nisab for gold will be the same as was prescribed by the Holy Prophet (saw) himself in his own time. As far as the Nisab for cash is concerned most of the world has now adopted gold as a monetary standard, therefore, the Nisab of gold will be considered as standard for Zakat on cash."

(Letter to Sadr Majlis Ifta'a, Dated 25th May 2014 as quoted in Ahmadiyya Bulletin, March 2016, Page 38)

Gold

If the amount preserved is equal to or greater than the Nisab, then Zakat will become payable upon it after the completion of one year

The Promised Messiah (as) says: "According to some people’s Zakat is not payable on gold and silver which is worn and is sometimes given to poor women for use. And it is perfected that Zakat should be paid on jewellery which is worn but is not given to the poor. This is the practice of my family also. They pay Zakat on their jewellery every year. Furthermore, there is no disagreement about the payment of Zakat on jewellery which is kept safe like money."

(An Introduction to Financial Sacrifice, Page 82)

Silver

If the amount preserved is equal to or greater than the Nisab, then Zakat will become payable upon it after the completion of one year.

Cash

If the amount preserved is equal to or greater than the Nisab, then Zakat will become payable upon it after the completion of one year.

Rental Income

In response to a query by a person, the Promised Messiah (as) said: "No matter what the value of a house, Zakat is not payable on it. But if you have given it on rent, the Zakat will be payable on the rental income you receive."

(An Introduction to Financial Sacrifice, Page 83)

For simplicity, the Zakat Calculator does not separately ask for Rental Income. To include Rental Income as part of your Zakat Calculation, please add it onto the amount you enter in the box for the "Cash" amount preserved for 1 year.

Rates underlying Zakat Calculation

Variable	Rate
Rate of Zakat	2.5%
Gold Price (22k)	Sourced in real-time for 22k Gold from LivePriceOfGold.com.
Silver Price (22k)	Sourced in real-time for 22k Silver from LivePriceOfGold.com.
Gold Nisab	7.5 Tolas
Silver Nisab	52.5 Tolas
Grams per Tola	11.7