Why 2.5%?
The report of Abu Bakr’s Zakat instructions specifies one fortieth for silver. One fortieth equals 2.5%.
Read the hadith in English ↗ZAKAT AL-MAL · IN ENGLISH
Know what to include, understand the calculation, and give with confidence. One step at a time.
UNDERSTAND THE WHY
These are short explanations of the sources, not quotations or a claim that every scholarly detail is the same.
The report of Abu Bakr’s Zakat instructions specifies one fortieth for silver. One fortieth equals 2.5%.
Read the hadith in English ↗The narration links the gold and silver amounts to a year passing. Sunnah.com lists its grading as Sahih (Al-Albani).
Read the narration and grading ↗The Qur’an specifies eight recipient categories. A good cause alone does not establish eligibility for Zakat.
Read the verse and explanation ↗These are explanatory English labels. Application of the categories requires qualified guidance and an eligibility assessment.
A LITTLE GUIDANCE GOES A LONG WAY
This calculator covers common Zakat al-mal assets. Specialist cases deserve specialist advice.
Explore the NZF knowledge bank ↗Scholars differ about personal-use gold and silver jewellery. Include or exclude it according to the guidance you follow. When included, use the metal’s value, not a jewellery shop’s replacement price or the value of stones.
Islamic Relief: gold, silver and jewellery ↗Trading investments may be assessed at their market value; long-term holdings can use their underlying zakatable assets. Pension and retirement rules depend on access, ownership and investments. Enter the zakatable portion determined under your guidance, rather than automatically using every account’s full value.
NZF: valuing share investments ↗Scholarly approaches differ on changes during the hawl. This calculator asks whether your year has completed under your guidance; it does not decide that from a single day’s balance. Choose “I am not sure” for a planning estimate and confirm the timing with a qualified scholar.
Islamic Relief: timing and thresholds ↗The default is 2.5% for a Hijri year. NZF explains a 2.577% rate for the longer solar year, citing AAOIFI guidance, while recommending the lunar calendar.
Read the solar-year guidance ↗No. Zakat al-Fitr is different. This calculator covers Zakat al-mal only; it does not calculate Zakat al-Fitr, agricultural produce, livestock, minerals or other categories with different rules.
One World Relief does not save or send your asset and debt entries. They are held in this page while you use it. Printing or saving a PDF is your choice; store that copy somewhere private.
This is an educational estimate, not a fatwa. For uncertain or complex circumstances, ask a qualified scholar or trusted Zakat specialist. Review the selected nisab, year, assets and debt treatment before giving.