How much zakat do I need to pay?

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. During the Islamic month of Ramadan, many Muslims must give a percentage of their wealth to others. In this way, Muslims see zakat as a way to distribute their wealth to those in need, and to purify what remains. Muslims believe this brings them closeness to Allah.

Nisab is the threshold of health which means a Muslim must give to others. Muslims believe Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) set the minimum amount of wealth before you must give to others. The nisab uses values of gold and silver, which were once forms of currency.

Today, you need to calculate your zakat payment by valuing your monetary wealth as if it were gold or silver. You can choose whether to use 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver.

If you’re not sure how to calculate zakat, the typical donation is 2.5% of a Muslim’s net assets, including gold, silver and cash.

To work out how much zakat to give during Ramadan, you must calculate the value of the assets held during a lunar year. This includes money in bank accounts and business stock. Then, subtract the value of debts, business expenses and other monetary liabilities. Finally, multiply the your total wealth by the zakat percentage of 2.5% to determine how much you owe.

Please note: this is general advice, and the exact calculations may change based on personal circumstances and interpretations of Islamic law.

Unlike zakat, which is a compulsory donation for Muslims who meet the nisab threshold, sadaqah is voluntary. You can give sadaqah at any time, and it is not a fixed amount. During the holy month of Ramadan, many Muslims feel drawn to give sadaqah alongside their Zakat. In the Islamic faith, both zakat and sadaqah are highly valued acts of charity.

By giving your sadaqah to Sightsavers, you can help protect sight, reduce suffering, and change lives for the better.

The holy Islamic month of Ramadan is a time to reflect on how fortunate we are to have the love of our family, the support of our friends, and the fortune to enjoy good health. One way in which Muslims show their appreciation is to donate to a charity. If you give your sadaqah to Sightsavers, you will be helping our work to protect sight and improve lives.