In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ), his family, and his companions, and those who follow his path till the day of resurrection. Aameen.
The Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) said:
Islam is built on five pillars
1. Shahadah (Faith): Believing and declaring that There is no deity truly to be worship except Allah, and prophet Muhammad is His messenger.
2. Salah (Prayer): Performing the five daily prayers regularly.
3. Zakat (Charity): Giving a portion of one’s wealth to help the poor and needy.
4. Hajj (Pilgrimage): Going to Makkah for pilgrimage once in a lifetime, if one is able.
5. Sawm (Fasting): Fasting during the month of Ramadan from dawn to sunset.
بُنِيَ الإسْلامُ على خَمْسٍ: شَهادَةِ أنْ لا إلَهَ إلّا اللَّهُ وأنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسولُ اللَّهِ، وإقامِ الصَّلاةِ، وإيتاءِ الزَّكاةِ، والحَجِّ، وصَوْمِ رَمَضانَ.
Zakat is the third pillar of Islam. It is a compulsory charity that Muslims must give from their wealth once a year if they reach a certain amount (called Nisab).
What is zakat ?
Because the scholar used to said that :
الحكم على الشيء فرع عن تصوره.
The judgment of a thing is derived from its conception.
Literally, Zakat means : purification, growth, and blessing. It comes from the Arabic root word زكى (zakā) which means to purify or increase.
Technically, Zakat is a fixed portion of a Muslim’s wealth that must be given to specific categories of people (like the poor and needy)
اسم لأخذ شيء مخصوص، من مال مخصوص، على أوصاف مخصوصة ، لطائفة مخصوصة.
It is meant to help the poor, needy, and other eligible groups mentioned in the Qur’an:
Allah said :
إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ .Zakat (charity) is only for the poor, and the needy, and those employed to collect it, and for bringing hearts together (towards Islam), and for freeing captives (slaves), and for those in debt, and for the cause of Allah, and for the stranded traveler – a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
[Surah At-Tawbah 9:60]
Explanation of the 8 Categories of Zakat Beneficiaries
1. Al-Fuqara (The Poor):
These are people who have little or no wealth and cannot meet their basic needs.
2. Al-Masakin (The Needy):
They have slightly more than the poor but still do not have enough to live a normal life.
3. Al-‘Amilina ‘Alayha (Zakat Collectors):
These are the officials assigned by the Islamic authority to collect and distribute zakat. They can be paid for their work from the zakat itself.
4. Al-Mu’allafatu Qulubuhum (Those Whose Hearts are to be Reconciled):
These are new Muslims or people who might embrace Islam or need encouragement to support the Muslim community.
5. Fir-Riqab (Freeing Slaves):
Zakat can be used to help slaves buy their freedom or free captives in bondage.
6. Al-Gharimun (Those in Debt):
Individuals who are in debt and cannot repay it without hardship, provided their debt is not due to something sinful.
7. Fi Sabilillah (In the Cause of Allah):
This includes people striving in the path of Allah, such as Islamic education, da’wah (calling to Islam), or legitimate defense of the Muslim community.
8. Ibn as-Sabil (The Wayfarer):
A traveler who is stranded and in need of help to return home, even if he is rich at home.
Conditions of Zakat
1- Islam (Being a Muslim):
Zakat is only required from Muslims.
Non-Muslims are not obligated to pay Zakat.
The Prophet (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) said:
Tell them that Allah has made it obligatory for them to pay Zakat.
2- Freedom (Not being a slave):
In early Islamic law, slaves were not required to pay Zakat because they didn’t fully own property.
Zakat is linked to ownership. Since a slave cannot own wealth independently, they are not responsible for Zakat.
3 – Full Ownership (Al-Milk al-Tam):
The person must fully own the wealth. If the wealth is not in their control, Zakat is not due.
4 – Nisab (Minimum amount of wealth):
The wealth must reach a minimum amount (called nisab). If it’s less, Zakat is not required.
5 – Hawl (One lunar year must pass):
The wealth must remain above the nisab level for one full Islamic (lunar) year.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
No Zakat is due on property until a year passes on it.
Purpose of zakat
Zakat is the Purification of Wealth is not merely a financial obligation but a divine institution that purifies wealth and nurtures compassion within the Muslim community. It represents Allah’s wisdom in establishing a system that ensures social justice and economic balance.
Allah said in the Quran:
خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ صَلاَتَكَ سَكَنٌ لَّهُمْ وَاللّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [Allah ‘s blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.
This verse beautifully captures the dual purpose of Zakat – purification of the giver’s wealth and spiritual growth.
Imam Al-Ghazali explained that Zakat purifies the heart from miserliness and greed while cultivating generosity and compassion.
Ibn Taymiyyah noted that Zakat is not merely charity but a right of the poor upon the wealth of the rich, establishing economic justice in society.
Contemporary scholars emphasize that Zakat, when properly implemented, serves as a comprehensive economic system that addresses poverty, reduces inequality, and promotes social cohesion.
Importance of Zakat in Islam
1- Zakat is a Pillar of Islam.
It is one of the five main foundations of Islam.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Islam is built on five: And he mentioned Zakat as one of the five pillars
2 – Zakat Purifies Wealth and the Soul : It cleanses the giver’s wealth and helps purify their heart from greed.
Allah said :
Take alms from their wealth to purify and cleanse them.
3 – Zakat Brings Blessings and Increases Wealth.
It is a way to grow one’s wealth with Allah’s blessing.
Allah said :
Allah destroys interest and gives increase for charities
4 – Zakat Helps the Poor and Reduces Poverty.
It supports the needy and improves the condition of the poor in society.
Allah said :
Zakat is only for the poor, the needy, those employed to collect it…
5 – Zakat Creates Unity and Love Among Muslims.
It reduces the gap between rich and poor, and encourages kindness.
Allah said :
The likeness of those who spend their wealth seeking Allah’s pleasure… is like a garden on a hill…
6 – Refusing Zakat is a Serious Sin.
Those who refuse to give Zakat are warned of severe punishment.
The Prophet (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) said:
Whoever is given wealth by Allah and does not pay its Zakat, his wealth will be made into a bald-headed snake on the Day of Judgment..
The Wealth on which Zakat is obligatory
Zakat is compulsory on specific types of wealth when they reach a certain amount (nisab) and are held for one lunar year (Hawl). Below are the main types:
1- Money and Savings (Cash) :
Which includes: Cash in hand, bank savings, salaries, and digital money.
According to National Moon sighting Committee Nigeria, said on 18th Dhul Qa’adah 1446H .(16th May 2025) that :
Zakat Nisab is: ₦13,990,720. Everything divided by 40, which is equal to
₦349,768.
Do Salary Earners Pay Zakat ?
This answer is capital later YES
Salary earners must pay Zakat in their savings (not the monthly salary itself) reach the Nisab and they keep it for one full Hijri (lunar) year.
Conditions for Zakat on Salary Earners
i- Your savings reach or exceed the Nisab.
ii- You hold it for one full Hijri year, which is not deduct to the least of nisab.
How to Calculate Zakat for Salary Earners
A- Track your savings: Check how much money you have saved from your salary.
B – Mark the date when it reached the Nisab.
C- After one full lunar year, pay 2.5% of the total amount you still have saved.
Note: this is the least amount, if it’s more than this and it’s reach a year according to Islamic calendar counting, without deduct to the least amount given, you are going to divide everything by 40 as well .
2 – Gold and Silver:
Nisab for Gold: About 85 grams.
Nisab for Silver: About 595 grams.
Gold (85 grams) divided by 40, while sliver ( 598 grams) divided by 40.
The prophet said :
وليسَ فِيما دُونَ خَمْسِ أواقٍ صَدَقَةٌ،
. وفي هذا الحديثِ يُبيِّنُ النبيُّ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ أنَّه ليس على مَن لم يَملِكْ خَمْسَ أواقٍ مِن الفِضَّةِ زكاةٌ، والأُوقيَّةُ: أربعونَ دِرهمًا، والمُرادُ بالدِّرهمِ الخالِصُ مِن الفِضَّةِ، والخمْسُ أواقٍ تُساوي مِئتَيْ دِرهمٍ، وما زادَ ففي كلِّ أربعينَ دِرهمًا دِرهمٌ، وتَقديرُ ذلك بالموازينِ الحَديثةِ يُساوي تقريبًا 595 جرامًا من الفِضَّةِ الخالِصةِ
There is no charity (Zakat) due on less than five awāq.In this hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) clarifies that there is no Zakat due on someone who does not own five awāq of silver. One ūqiyah (awqiyah) equals forty dirhams, and what is meant by dirham here is pure silver. So, five awāq equals two hundred dirhams. And for anything more than that, one dirham is due for every forty dirhams.
Note: This is the least grams for both ( gold and silver ) if it more than this and it reach a year , you are going to divide it by 40.
3 – Livestock.
Zakat is only due if the animals are grazing freely and reach a certain number.
Examples:
i- Camel : there’s no zakat on your Camels till you have five (5) camels, reach a year according to Islamic calendar counting.
Give 1 sheep as Zakat.
ii- Cow : there’s no zakat on your cows until you have 30 cows, and reach a year.
Give 1 one-year-old calf as zakat
iii- Goats/Sheep, there’s no zakat on your Goats/Sheep till you have 40 goats and reach a year
Give 1 goat as zakat.
4 – Farm Produce (Crops). Which includes: Crops like rice, beans, Soya beans, wheat, maize, dates. e.t.c
Zakat is due: At the time of harvest.
Allah said ;
وَآتُوا حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ
Rate : the prophet said (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ):
ليسَ فِيما دُونَ خَمْسَةِ أوْسُقٍ صَدَقَةٌ
There is no charity (Zakat) due on less than five wasq.”
Which means If someone has less than this, Zakat is not required.
Note: If natural rain waters the farm, the zakat is 10%
The prophet said (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) :
فيما سَقتِ السَّماءُ العُشرِ
But If artificial irrigation is used, the zakat is 5%.
The prophet said (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ):
وفيما سُقيَ بالسّانيةِ نِصفُ العشرِ.
5. Minerals and Treasures (Rikaz) : which includes: Gold, silver, or valuables found underground.
Rate: 20% at the time of discovery.
Reward of Those Who Pay Zakat
1- Zakat Purifies and Increases Wealth : Zakat cleans the heart from greed and increases blessings.
Allah said : Take from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase
2- Zakat Brings Reward from Allah : Those who give Zakat sincerely will receive a great and multiplied reward from Allah.
Whatever you give in Zakat, seeking Allah’s pleasure it is they who will receive a multiplied reward
3- Zakat Leads to Success in the Hereafter : Those who give Zakat will have peace, safety, and reward in the Hereafter.
Allah said : And those who establish prayer and give Zakat they will have their reward with their Lord. They will have no fear, nor will they grieve.
4- Zakat Saves from the Punishment of Hell : Even small acts of charity, like Zakat, protect from punishment.
The prophet Muhammad ( S A W ) said : Protect yourself from Hellfire even by giving half a date in charity
Punishment for Those Who Refuse to Pay Zakat
Refusing to pay Zakat is a major sin in Islam. The Qur’an and Hadith clearly mention the punishment in this life and the Hereafter for such people.
Punishment in This Life
Loss of Rain and Blessings :
When people stop paying Zakat, Allah may stop sending rain and blessings, leading to drought, hardship, loose of property, and poverty.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
No people withhold Zakat except that Allah withholds rain from the sky, and were it not for the animals, no rain would fall at all.
Punishment in the Hereafter
Wealth Will Become Fire and Burn the Person : The wealth they refused to purify through Zakat will turn into punishment in Hell.
Almighty Allah said :
Those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah give them the news of a painful punishment. On the Day (of Judgment), it will be heated in the Fire of Hell and used to brand their foreheads, sides, and backs
Lastly, zakat remains a timeless institution that, when fulfilled with sincerity, transforms both individuals and societies. It reminds us that our wealth is a trust from Allah, and sharing it with those in need is both an act of worship and a means of attaining His pleasure.
Zakat is not just a duty it is a way to please Allah, support others, clean the soul, and bring balance and mercy to society.
May Allah accept our Zakat and make us among those who give generously for His sake. Aamiin
✍Ustadh Ahmad Taiwo (Abū AbdiLlaah)
Mu’allim at Al-waduud Institute