ZAKAT Basic Information

There are two main type of zakat:

1- Zakat on self (zakat al-fitr or fitra after Ramadan): This zakat is caused by breaking the fasting at the end of Ramadan. it is sometime called sadaqat al-fitr. Zakat ul-fitr is leived on individual and not on his/her wealth. Zakat ul-Fitr is mandatory for every Muslim, be it poor or rich, man or woman.

The amount of this zakat must be enough to feed a poor or needy person. The amount of The Zakat Ul-Fitr in the U.S. is $8 multiplied by the number of members in your family.  Additional fees of $1.00 is added by TAKAFUL for paypal transaction fees

2- Zakat on wealth(zakat ul-mal) on Annual basis: The most common zakatable wealth is cash, stocks, gold and business commodities. The amount of zakat due on these types of wealth is 2.5% of their total values. An Additional Fee of $15 should factored in for the TAKAFUL processing fees.  Please enter the Zakat amount when you click the DONATE button.

For exact calculation, there are many Zakat calculators on the internet, and this one is quite useful.  Please visit:

http://www.thezakat.org/Zakat-Calculator.aspx

What is Zakat ?

Zakat is an obligatory duty and one of the five pillars of Islam. It is mandatory when two conditions are simultaneously satisfied:
Nisab and Due Date.

• Nisab: It is 3 oz of pure Gold. AS of 12/01/2000 NISAB is $750.00
• Due Date: Zakat is due after one Lunar (Hijri) year starting from either the first day you acquired the amount of Nisab or the day you paid Zakat last year