Question 1

Is zakat due on jewelry worn for personal adornment?

Accepted Answer

This is one of the most well-known points of scholarly disagreement. The majority of scholars (Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali) hold that jewelry intended for permissible personal use is not subject to zakat. The Hanafi school and some contemporary rulings hold that zakat is due on it if it reaches the nisab, out of caution. This calculator includes it in the base by default as a precaution, but the final decision is yours based on the school of thought you follow or the ruling of a scholar you trust.

Question 2

Should I use the gold nisab or the silver nisab?

Accepted Answer

The gold nisab is the more traditionally and officially used basis in Saudi Arabia and most Arab countries. However, some contemporary scholars prefer the silver nisab because it's a lower value, covering more zakat payers and benefiting the poor more. Neither is 'wrong' — choose whichever matches your school of thought's ruling, or consult a trusted source if unsure.

Question 3

Should I deduct my home or car loan installment as a debt before calculating zakat?

Accepted Answer

This is disputed. The more cautious view is not to deduct long-term debts (like mortgages and car loans) in full — only the installment actually due within the current year, if any, not the entire remaining balance. Short-term debts due within the year (like a credit card or personal loan) are usually deducted in full.

Question 4

Does this calculator handle zakat on stocks, businesses, or crops/livestock?

Accepted Answer

No. Zakat on stocks depends on investment intent (trading vs. long-term holding), business zakat depends on financial statements, and zakat on crops/livestock has entirely different thresholds and rates (up to 5% or 10% depending on irrigation method). This calculator only covers cash, gold, silver, and simple trade goods.

Question 5

What is the hawl and when does it start?

Accepted Answer

The hawl is the passage of one full Hijri lunar year (about 354 days) since the wealth first reached the nisab, provided it remained in the owner's possession without dropping below the nisab throughout that period. If the wealth drops below the nisab mid-year and then reaches it again, the hawl count restarts from that later date.

Zakat Calculator