Zakat FAQ

Zakat is the third pillar of Islam: an obligatory annual charitable contribution of 2.5% of qualifying wealth. It purifies wealth and supports those in need. The word 'Zakat' means 'purification' and 'growth' in Arabic.

Every adult Muslim who possesses wealth above the nisab (minimum threshold) for a complete lunar year (hawl). This includes both men and women. Zakat is also due on the wealth of minors, according to most scholars.

Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth that makes Zakat obligatory. It is measured in gold (87.48 grams) or silver (612.36 grams). The shilling value changes daily with gold and silver prices, so check current rates or use our calculator.

Once per lunar year (hawl = 354 days). You pick a Zakat date and calculate annually. Many Muslims choose Ramadan for the additional blessings, but any consistent lunar date works.

2.5% (or 1/40th) of your qualifying wealth above nisab. This rate applies to most types of wealth including cash, gold, silver, investments, and business assets. Agricultural produce follows different ushr rates.

Yes. You can pay Zakat in installments throughout the year, and even pay in advance before your Zakat date. However, your total payment for the year should equal 2.5% of your qualifying wealth.

No. Kenya has no state Zakat collection system and no bank deducts Zakat automatically. The calculation and payment are entirely your own responsibility, which also means you control your Zakat date and choose your recipients.

No. Zakat in Kenya is administered by the community rather than the state. Muslims give through mosques, community Zakat committees, registered Islamic charities, and directly to eligible individuals.

Yes. Mobile money balances (M-PESA, Airtel Money) and SACCO deposits are wealth you own and are fully zakatable, alongside bank balances, cash, gold, and shares.

Ushr is the Zakat on agricultural produce: one-tenth of the harvest from rain-fed land and one-twentieth from irrigated land, due at harvest time rather than on a lunar-year cycle. Farmers in Kenya self-assess ushr the same way they self-assess wealth Zakat.

1) Add up all zakatable assets (cash, gold, silver, investments, business inventory). 2) Subtract qualifying debts due within the year. 3) Check if the net total exceeds nisab. 4) If yes, pay 2.5% of the total. Use our free Zakat calculator for an easy step-by-step calculation.

On total zakatable wealth, which includes cash, gold, silver, investments, business inventory, and receivables. Your primary home, car, clothes, and personal items are NOT included.

Yes, most scholars allow deducting debts that are due within the current year (or the coming 12 months). Long-term obligations like home financing instalments are typically only deducted for the current year's payments.

Most scholars recommend using the gold nisab (more conservative, higher threshold). Some allow using silver nisab (lower threshold, meaning more people would pay Zakat). Our calculator uses the gold standard by default.

Calculate Zakat based on your wealth at your Zakat date. If your wealth dropped below nisab at any point during the year, the hawl (year) resets according to many scholars.

No. Your primary residence is exempt from Zakat, regardless of value. However, investment properties held for resale ARE zakatable at market value.

No. Personal vehicles used for transportation are exempt. However, if you're a car dealer, vehicles in your inventory are zakatable as trade goods.

Gold and silver jewelry: scholars differ. The Shafi'i position, widely followed on the Kenyan coast, allows exemption for jewelry in regular personal use. The Hanafi position is that all gold and silver jewelry is zakatable, including what is worn regularly. Weigh your gold in grams and value it at today's rate, and follow the position of the scholars you trust.

This is debated. For personal pension balances, the conservative view is to pay Zakat annually on the accessible balance. A common alternative view treats locked amounts as non-possessed until withdrawal. Employer scheme balances you cannot access are often excluded until received. Consult a scholar you trust.

Yes, most contemporary scholars agree. Calculate 2.5% of current market value of all crypto holdings. See our cryptocurrency Zakat guide for details.

The face value of any prize-linked savings you hold counts as zakatable wealth like cash. Separately, many scholars consider the prize element itself problematic (a form of gambling or interest); the halal alternatives in Kenya are Mudarabah deposits at Islamic banks and CMA-approved Shariah funds.

If you expect to collect the debt, include it in your Zakat calculation. Bad debts or money unlikely to be recovered can be excluded.

The Quran specifies 8 categories (Surah At-Tawbah 9:60): the poor, the needy, Zakat administrators, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, freeing captives, those in debt, in the way of Allah, and travelers in need.

You cannot give Zakat to your parents, grandparents, children, or grandchildren (people you're obligated to support). You CAN give to siblings, aunts, uncles, and more distant relatives if they qualify.

The majority of scholars say Zakat is for Muslims only. However, Sadaqah (voluntary charity) can be given to anyone.

You can give directly to eligible individuals (often the most rewarded route when you know genuine need), or through mosques, community Zakat committees, and established charities that maintain Zakat funds with Shariah supervision. Verify any organization's Zakat policy and Shariah oversight before giving.

Yes. Zakat al-Fitr is a specific charity paid at the end of Ramadan before Eid prayer. It's a fixed amount per person, typically the value of about 2.5 kg of staple food such as wheat or its cash equivalent. Zakat al-Mal (on wealth) is the 2.5% annual obligation discussed throughout this guide.

Yes. You can pay Zakat before your Zakat date arrives. This is especially useful during Ramadan or when you encounter someone in urgent need.