Learn More About Zakat

What is Zakat?

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam, and occupies the central position. It is an obligatory form of charity that every Muslim who meets the set criteria (Nisab) needs to pay in a lunar or Islamic year. The process of distributing Zakat comes with a variety of benefits for both givers and receivers.

Giving Zakat purifies the wealth of givers and helps them get Allah’s pleasure. However, helping poor and deserving people with Zakat not only helps us fulfill their life essentials but also builds a strong and faithful community.

What is Nisab?

Nisab in Zakat is the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must possess before Zakat becomes obligatory. If your total eligible wealth remains equal to or above Nisab for one full lunar or Islamic calendar, then you must pay Zakat on it, which is said to be 2.5% of your total wealth.

Nisab is calculated according to either of the following values:

• 87.48 grams of gold
• 612.36 grams of silver

Key Importance of Nisab

• It ensures that Zakat is only required to be paid by people who can afford it.
• It creates fairness in Islamic financial obligations.

How to Calculate Zakat?

Calculating Zakat has become easy and simple phenomen; thanks to the online Zakat calculators. Here is a simple step-by-step guide to calculate the exact amount of Zakat:

1. Step 1: Check if You Reach Nisab
   Ensure your total wealth is equal to or above the Minimum threshold - Nisab. People whose wealth remains above the set Nisab for a full Islamic or lunar month, it becomes obligatory for them to pay Zakat.
2. Step 2: Collect or Add Your Zakatable Assets
   Include the following:
   • Gold and silver
   • Bank savings
   • Cash in hand
   • Business inventory
   • Any other investments
   • Money owed to you
3. Step 3: Take Away Liabilities
   You need to deduct the following liabilities:
   • Short-term debts, if you have any
   • Any due bills
   • Any loan payments that are currently due
4. Step 4: Calculate 2.5% of the Total Amount
   After detecting debts, whatever the total wealth remains, you need to pay 2.5% of it. This is the payable amount of your Zakat.

Why Use Zakat Calculator?

Using the Zakat calculator is a way to calculate your Zakat amount accurately and easily without any confusion. Here is why you need to use the Zakat calculator before paying your Zakat for Ramadan 2026:

• Accuracy: Zakat involves adding different types of assets, taking away all liabilities, and calculating exactly 2.5% of the total amount. A calculator reduces human error and offers the exact amount in no time.
• Time Saving: Instead of calculating everything manually, a Zakat calculator can help you organize your assets, apply the correct formula, and give immediate results without wasting your time.
• Avoids Underpaying or Overpaying: With accuracy and precision, you can avoid underpaying (not fulfilling your obligation properly) and overpaying (paying extra than your obligation). The use ofthe Zakat calculator helps you stay fair and balanced.
• Find the Nisab Check: Many Zakat calculator tools show the exact or current value of Nisab. It helps you determine whether Zakat is even due or not.
• Peace of Mind: As everyone knows, Zakat is an important Islamic obligation. The use of a calculator gives you the confidence and consolation that your calculation is up to the mark.

Use the Sundas Foundation Online Zakat Calculator?

Sundas Foundation offers a reliable and accurate calculator, helping you find the exact value of payable Zakat. Our Zakat calculator is reliable enough that it helps you find the Zakat value in different ways based on your choice or requirement. For example, you can check or calculate Zakat on Gold and silver. So, people with Gold and Silver can easily find the accurate results. Besides this, you can use our calculator to check out Zakat with available cash and trade stock. At the same time, you can also put liabilities if you have any to get more accurate results.

Who Needs to Pay Zakat?

Zakat is not payable for every Muslim; it is obligatory to pay for certain Muslims under specific conditions as discussed above. Here is who needs to pay Zakat:

• Eligible Muslims: Zakat is only payable for Muslims who are eligible
• Adults: To pay Zakat, you must be an adult
• Sane people: To pay Zakat, a person must be capable of managing wealth.
• People Who Own Wealth Above Nisab: You must have wealth equal to or above the minimum set threshold, or Nisab
• People With Complete Ownership: You must have complete ownership of your health, meaning it must belong to you fully, be in your possession, or easily be accessible to you.

Who is Eligible to Receive Zakat?

According to Islam, not everyone is eligible to get Zakat. So, before calculating and paying Zakat, you must know who is eligible for Zakat. Allah (SWT) categorizes 8 types of people who can receive Zakat:

“Alms-tax is only for the poor and the needy, for those employed to administer it, for those whose hearts are attracted ˹to the faith˺, for ˹freeing˺ slaves, for those in debt, for Allah’s cause, and for ˹needy˺ travellers. ˹This is˺ an obligation from Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” (Qur’an, 9:60)

Below is the explanation of these 8 categories:

• Al Fuqara or poor People: Zakat is payable to people with little to no income who are unable to pay for their basic living standards. These include food, clothing, and shelter.
• Al Masakin or Needy People: You can offer Zakat to people with little or low income. Actually, it is for those who are barely eligible to cover their basic living essentials..
• Zakat Administrators: You can also offer Zakat to people who work to collect and distribute Zakat fairly among deserving people..
• Who are converted to Islam Islam also allows us to offer Zakat to those who are new to Islam or about to accept Islam and need financial support.
• Slaves: Islam teaches us to offer Zakat to people who are in severe oppression or captivity.
• Debt-ridden Person: Zakat can also be given to debt-ridden persons who are not eligible to repay their debt..
• Fi Sabilillah: You can offer Zakat to people who are struggling and fighting purely for the sake of Allah..
• The Wayfarer: This category mentions stranded travelers who are running out of money and cannot return home. You can offer Zakat to make thier travel possible even if they are rich back home..

What if One Does Not Pay Zakat?

Paying Zakat is an obligatory form of charity. However, if an eligible person does not pay Zakat, he commits a serious sin. The Prophet of Allah Said,

“Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the Zakat of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection, his wealth will be made like a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and say, 'I am your wealth, I am your treasure.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1403)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate my Zakat?

Calculating Zakat is not overwhelming, instead an easy process to find out the exact amount of payable Zakat. You can use the online Zakat Calculator designed by Sundas Foundation to calculate your Zakat with accuracy and precision.

How to calculate 2.5% Zakat in Pakistan?

The process to calculate 2.5% for your Zakat is quite simple. You can multiply your total amount by 0.025, or you can divide your total amount by 40. In both cases, you will get the exact answer to your payable Zakat.

What is the difference between Zakat and Sadaqah?

Zakat is an obligatory form of charity that every Mulsim needs to pay who meets the said criteria or Nisab. However, Sadaqah is a voluntary form of charity that everyone can give to anyone based on their requirements or affordability.

What is the difference between Zakat and Fitra?

Zakat is a form of charity that is mandatory for Muslims to pay who have gold & silver or cash equal to the decided Nisab. Fitra is a form of charity that every self-supporting adult Muslim is required to pay, who has food or cash in excess of their needs. Muslims can pay on behalf of themselves or their dependents

When to Pay Zakat?

Eligible Muslims can pay Zakat throughout the lunar or Islamic year. However, most Muslims pay it during Ramadan to get more Barakah in their wealth or help needy people to celebrate Ramadan and Eid with their loved ones.