Noor Thalassemia Foundation

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is considered an obligatory form of charity required to be paid by Muslims who meet the minimum set criteria or Nisab. Remember that if you are eligible and do not pay Zakat, you commit a serious sin. The Messenger 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).”

This Hadith clearly indicates the importance of paying Zakat. Whoever is eligible needs to pay Zakat for a full Islamic or lunar year. This article highlights what Zakat is and how one can calculate Zakat on gold. So, let’s begin learning about Zakat calculation NOW!

What is Zakat and its Nisab in 2026?

Zakat is a mandatory form of charity that is required to be paid every lunar year only by eligible Muslims. It is 2.5% of your total wealth after becoming eligible. The Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth that makes a person eligible for Zakat. It is the set rule that if a person owns 87.48 grams (7.5 tola) of gold and 612.36 grams (52.5 tola) of silver, he needs to pay Zakat.

Who is Eligible to Pay Zakat?

On the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, people start calculating whether they need to pay Zakat or not. Here are the simple requirements to know if someone is eligible to pay Zakat or not.

1. Nisab: If you are meeting the criteria of Nisab, then you must pay Zakat without any excuses.
2. Adult Muslims: Only adult Muslims are required to pay Zakat.
3. Sane Muslims: Only sane Muslims who can easily manage their wealth can pay Zakat.
4. Control on Wealth: Muslims who have full control over their wealth are required to pay Zakat.

Who is Eligible to Receive Zakat?

Before paying for this religious obligation, it is the duty of every eligible Muslim to find out who is eligible for this charity. Remember that you need to facilitate those who really need your help. Here we come with the subject of paying Zakat in the light of the Holy Quran. Allah (SWT) mentioned 8 different categories of people who are only eligible to receive Zakat.

“Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise.” (Quran, 9:60)

Let’s further discuss these categories or deserving candidates who can receive Zakat:

1. Al Fuqarah: Zakat is payable to those who are poor and have little to no income.
2. Al Masakin: You can also pay Zakat to those who are needy persons and cannot afford their basic living needs.
3. Zakat Collectors: People who work in the Zakat department to collect and distribute Zakat fairly to the deserving people are also eligible to receive Zakat.
4. Who Converted to Islam: Zakat is also payable to people are converted to Islam and are facing financial crises. The eligible candidates must support them if they have any cases in their surroundings.
5. Debtors: People who are under debt and are unable to repay them on their own can also get Zakat to repay their debts.
6. Slaves: If you find people who are in severe oppression and slavery, you can offer them Zakat to make them free.
7. Fi Sabillialh: Zakat is also payable to people who struggle and fight purely for Allah’s pleasure.
8. Wayfarer: Stranded travelers who are running out of money are eligible for Zakat. If you find someone who does not have enough money to get back home, you can offer Zakat to him.

How to Calculate Zakat on Gold in 2026?

Calculating Zakat on gold is a simple and easy process. Sometimes, people get overwhelmed while calculating the exact amount of Zakat. Below is the simple formula by following which you can easily find how much Zakat you need to pay if you own gold:

Calculate the total amount of gold you have and multiply it by the current gold rate. Now, calculate 2.5% of the total amount, which is a payable Zakat on Gold.

To find out 2.5% of your total eligible wealth, multiply it by 0.025 or divide it by 40. The amount you will get is the actual Zakat you need to offer. Besides this, you can use the online Zakat Calculator designed by NTF. This tool is quite reliable, helping people calculate the exact payable Zakat amount accurately in no time.

Give Your Donations to Noor Thalassemia Foundation

Noor Thalassemia Foundation (NTF) is a non-profit organization struggling to treat blood diseases, including thalassemia, hemophilia, and blood cancers. Our mission is to give basic facilitation to patients who are really deserving or cannot afford the cost of their treatment. You can donate funds online to support such patients. At Noor Thalassemia Foundation, we have a team of highly qualified doctors, nurses, and laboratory specialists, working to provide deserving people with all they need to lead a healthy life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to pay Zakat?

There is no specific time to pay Zakat. Every eligible Muslim can pay Zakat throughout the Islamic or lunar month. However, most Muslims tend to pay Zakat in Ramadan. Paying Zakat in Ramadan comes with more blessings and barakah to their wealth. Besides this, it helps the poor get the joys of Ramadan and Eid.

Can I give Zakat to my relatives?

You can offer Zakat to your distant relatives, including aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, brothers, etc. However, your immediate or close relatives, like your spouse, parents, grandparents, and children and not eligible for Zakat.

Which assets are not subject to Zakat?

Except for gold and silver, no assets are applicable for Zakat. These include house, car, furniture, clothes, etc., unless they are used for business purposes.

What is the minimum amount to pay for Zakat?

The minimum amount to pay for Zakat is 2.5% of your total eligible wealth based on the Nisab, which is 87.48 grams (7.5 tola) of gold and 612.36 grams (52.5 tola) of silver.

How to calculate Zakat on Gold?

You can calculate Zakat on gold by multiplying the total amount of gold you have by the current gold rate. After finding the final amount, get 2.5% of it by multiplying it by 0.025 or dividing it by 40.