Zakat in short
Obligatory on every adult Muslim whose net wealth exceeds nisab for a lunar year. Fixed at 2.5 per cent. Restricted to eight categories of recipient. Missing it is a debt that remains owed.
Sadaqah in short
Entirely voluntary, with no minimum, no threshold and no restriction on who benefits. It can be money, time, food or simply a kind act. Sadaqah Jariyah is the ongoing kind, such as a water well or a tree, which keeps benefiting people over time.
Which should you give?
Work out your zakat first, since it is an obligation with a deadline. Then give Sadaqah on top of it whenever you are able, especially in Ramadan and on the last ten nights.
Frequently asked questions
Can Sadaqah replace zakat?
No. Sadaqah given without the intention of zakat does not discharge the obligation.
Is Zakat al-Fitr the same as zakat?
No. Zakat al-Fitr is a small fixed payment per household member, due before Eid prayer, separate from annual zakat on wealth.
Work out your zakat
Our calculator applies nisab and the 2.5 per cent rate for you, including gold, savings and shares.
Open the zakat calculator