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Zakat (Zakaat, Zakah), or almsgiving, is one of the five pillars of Islam, making it mandatory for Muslims. For every sane adult Muslim who owns wealth over a certain amount – known as the ‘Nisab’ – he or she must pay 2.5% of that wealth as Zakat.
Muslims who are eligible to pay Zakat must do so annually, as soon as one lunar (Islamic) year has passed since the person’s wealth has reached or exceeded the Nisab. Zakat is distributed to those who meet the criteria to receive it.
The Nisab (Nisaab) is the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must possess before they become eligible to pay Zakat. This amount is often referred to as the ‘Nisab threshold’.
Gold and silver are the two values used to calculate the Nisab threshold. Nisab is the value of 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver.
Date: 19 March, 2026 / 29 Ramaḍān 1447
Gold Nisáb: R227,825.61 Silver Nisáb: R24,962.49 Silver: R40.76/g (R1,155.65/oz) Gold: R2,604.32/g (R81,003.36/oz)
Prices & Calculations exclude VAT
Zakat is not just a fundamental pillar of Islam. It is also a revolutionary concept with the potential to ease the suffering of millions around the world.
If the ten richest people in the world paid Zakat – that would be a staggering R157 billion! The power of that money in tackling poverty would be huge.
Zakat is a right that the poor have over us:
“Those in whose wealth there is a recognised right for the needy and the poor” [Qur’an 70:24-25]
[Qur’an 70:24-25]
Your Zakat donation should amount to 2.5% of your total Zakatable wealth. Therefore, if your total assets (after any debts owed) amounted to R10,000, you would pay R250.
Use our free and easy Zakat Calculator to calculate how much you owe.
Your Zakat has funded some of our lifesaving work in war-torn and disaster-impacted communities across the world – nourishing hungry families, sheltering displaced communities, enabling people to rebuild their livelihoods, and improving the lives of orphans and vulnerable families across the globe.
Islamic Relief South Africa adheres strictly to Shari’ah principles in the collection, allocation, and distribution of Zakat.
Find answers to the most common questions about Zakat, how it is calculated, who must pay it, and how Islamic Relief South Africa distributes it in accordance with Shari'ah principles.
Zakat (also written as Zakaat or Zakah) is one of the five pillars of Islam, making it a mandatory act of worship for every eligible Muslim. It is an annual obligation to give a fixed portion of qualifying wealth to those in need.
For every sane adult Muslim who owns wealth above a certain threshold — known as the Nisab — for a full Islamic lunar year, 2.5% of that wealth must be given as Zakat. It is not a voluntary act of charity but a right that the poor have over those who are more fortunate.
Zakat is obligatory on every Muslim who meets all of the following conditions:
Zakat is not required from non-Muslims. According to the Hanafi school of thought, it is also not obligatory on children or those who are not of sound mind, though their guardian may pay it on their behalf. Other schools of thought differ on this point — please consult a scholar for guidance specific to your situation.
No. Zakat is an Islamic obligation and applies only to Muslims who meet the conditions of eligibility. Non-Muslims are not required to pay Zakat.
However, Islamic Relief South Africa welcomes donations from people of all faiths. Donations from non-Muslims are received as Sadaqah (voluntary charity) and are used to support our humanitarian programmes across South Africa and around the world.
The Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must own before Zakat becomes obligatory. It is calculated based on the value of either gold or silver.
Because the price of gold and silver fluctuates, the Rand value of the Nisab changes regularly. The silver Nisab is generally lower and is the threshold most scholars recommend using, as it brings more people within the scope of Zakat and benefits more people in need.
Use our free Zakat Calculator to check the current Nisab value in Rands and calculate exactly what you owe.
Zakat is calculated at 2.5% of your total Zakatable wealth — that is, all qualifying assets after deducting any debts you owe.
For example, if your total Zakatable wealth amounts to R10,000, your Zakat payment would be R250.
Zakatable assets include savings, cash, gold and silver, business stock, and money owed to you that you expect to receive back. Property you live in, personal belongings, and tools of trade are generally not included.
Zakat becomes due once a full Islamic lunar year (Hawl) has passed since your wealth first reached or exceeded the Nisab threshold. Many Muslims choose to pay during Ramadan because the reward for good deeds is multiplied, but it can be paid at any time of year once it becomes due.
You may also pay Zakat in advance before the Hawl is complete, provided your wealth is already above the Nisab. If you wish to deduct a debt that falls due after Ramadan when calculating your advance payment, we recommend consulting a scholar for guidance specific to your circumstances.
The Qur'an (9:60) identifies eight categories of people who are eligible to receive Zakat:
Islamic Relief South Africa distributes Zakat strictly to eligible recipients in accordance with Shari'ah principles, as verified by our independent Zakat Advisory Board.
For every year that you owe Zakat, calculate 2.5% of the total wealth you held at the end of that year and pay that amount. If you are not certain how much wealth you had in a particular year, you must estimate it to the best of your ability.
For example, if you have not paid Zakat for the past five years, work out how much wealth you owned at the end of each of those years and pay 2.5% for each year separately. It is advisable to consult your local imam or a scholar to ensure you calculate and fulfil this obligation correctly.
Yes, unless you specifically made the intention that those charitable donations were your Zakat payment at the time of giving. Zakat requires a clear intention (niyyah) that the donation is specifically your Zakat obligation.
General Sadaqah (voluntary charity) given throughout the year does not count towards your Zakat unless you made that intention. If you are unsure whether your past donations qualify, consult a scholar for guidance.
Zakat is calculated on your total Zakatable wealth at the time it becomes due, regardless of what you paid in previous years. You would therefore pay 2.5% of R10,000, which is R250.
Each year's Zakat is a fresh calculation based on your current wealth. Previous payments do not reduce the base on which future Zakat is calculated.
Scholars differ on this question. The Hanafi school of thought holds that Zakat is not obligatory on children or those who are not of sound mind. However, other schools of thought — including the Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali — favour the view that Zakat is due on a child's wealth, and that the guardian should pay it on the child's behalf.
We recommend discussing this with a qualified scholar who can advise based on the school of thought you follow.
Zakat is only payable on the gold and silver components of mixed jewellery. Precious stones (such as diamonds, rubies, and emeralds) are not subject to Zakat.
The best approach is to take your jewellery to a reputable jeweller and ask them to value only the gold and silver portions. The total value of those components is what you include in your Zakatable wealth when calculating your payment.
Yes. Savings set aside for Hajj are included in your Zakatable wealth, provided they have been in your possession for a full lunar year and exceed the Nisab threshold. The intention for which money is saved does not exempt it from Zakat.
If you are unsure how this applies to your specific situation, we recommend consulting a scholar.
Yes. If the person you lent money to is able to repay it, that money is still considered part of your wealth and must be included when calculating your Zakat. It is as though they are simply holding your money on your behalf.
Now that the money has been repaid and is in your possession, it is liable for Zakat — provided you meet the other conditions of eligibility (Nisab and Hawl).
However, if at the time of lending you genuinely did not expect to receive the money back and had no recourse to recover it, scholars generally hold that Zakat was not due on it during those years. There are many variables in such situations, and we strongly recommend consulting a qualified scholar for a ruling specific to your circumstances.
The general scholarly position is that debts which are currently due and payable can be deducted from your Zakatable wealth. However, a debt that only falls due after the date on which you are paying Zakat is a more nuanced matter.
We strongly recommend consulting a qualified scholar for guidance on your specific situation, as the answer may vary depending on the school of thought you follow.
For the period during which you were renting the house out with no intention of selling, you do not pay Zakat on the property itself. However, you would still pay Zakat on the rental income you received, as it forms part of your overall wealth.
From the day you made the intention to sell the house, it becomes a Zakatable asset. You must include it in your Zakatable wealth from that point forward, based on its estimated selling price. You will need to do the same for every subsequent year in which the house remains unsold.
Because of the variables involved in property Zakat, we strongly recommend discussing your specific situation with a qualified scholar.
At the time your Zakat is due, calculate the total bulk selling price of all the stock (goods for sale) in your shop. Add this value to your other eligible wealth when calculating your total Zakatable amount, then pay 2.5% of the combined total.
For example, if all the clothes in your shop have a total selling value of R50,000 and you have R20,000 in savings, your total Zakatable wealth would be R70,000, and your Zakat payment would be R1,750.
Islamic Relief South Africa distributes Zakat strictly in accordance with Shari'ah principles, to the eight categories of eligible recipients identified in the Qur'an (9:60). Our Zakat fund supports:
Yes. Islamic Relief South Africa adheres strictly to Shari'ah principles in the collection, allocation, and distribution of all Zakat funds. Our Zakat policy has been reviewed, ratified, and is continuously overseen by an independent Zakat Advisory Board made up of respected Islamic scholars.
The Advisory Board includes:
They provide clear guidance on how Zakat is fundraised, allocated, distributed, and monitored — ensuring full compliance with Islamic law at every stage.
Yes. Islamic Relief South Africa has a comprehensive Zakat policy that governs how Zakat is collected, allocated, and distributed. The policy has been reviewed and ratified by our independent Zakat Advisory Board, a panel of qualified and experienced Islamic scholars.
The policy ensures that Zakat is distributed only to eligible recipients, that no administration fees are deducted from Zakat funds, and that all distributions are fully accountable and transparent. For further information, please contact us at info@islamic-relief.org.za or call 0800 111 898.
Yes. Islamic Relief South Africa is a registered non-profit organisation (NPO) in South Africa, operating independently since 2004. We are fully compliant with South African charity law and are accountable to our donors, beneficiaries, and the communities we serve.
We publish annual impact reports detailing how every donation is used. These are available at islamic-relief.org.za/about-us/annual-reports/
Yes. Islamic Relief South Africa holds a Section 18A tax certificate, which means your Zakat donation qualifies for a tax deduction under South African law. We will issue a Section 18A receipt upon request, which you can submit to SARS when filing your tax return.
To request your tax certificate, contact us at info@islamic-relief.org.za or call 0800 111 898.
You can give your Zakat online, by bank transfer, or by calling us directly. Zakat contributions must be paid into our dedicated FNB Zakat account to ensure proper Shari'ah-compliant allocation.
You can also donate online at donate.islamic-relief.org.za or call our toll-free number 0800 111 898.
Zakat ul Fitr (also known as Fitrana or Sadaqat ul Fitr) is a mandatory charitable donation that must be given before the Eid ul Fitr prayer at the end of Ramadan. It is obligatory on every self-supporting Muslim who has food in excess of their needs, and must be given on behalf of themselves and all their dependants.
Unlike Zakat on wealth, Fitrana is a fixed amount per person and is traditionally given as food, though a monetary equivalent is widely accepted. The minimum Fitrah amounts for the current year are:
Learn more and give your Fitrana at islamic-relief.org.za/zakat-al-fitr/
An independent Zakat Advisory Board, made up of a group of respected scholars, have ratified our Zakat policy and will provide oversight and verification of the distribution of Zakat by Islamic Relief. They ensure clear guidance is in place on how Zakat should be fundraised, allocated, distributed, and monitored. Our Zakat Advisory Board is made up of the following renowned scholars:
Sheikh Abdullah al-Judai
Sheikh Mohammad Akram Nadwi
Mufti Abdul Qadir Barkatulla