1. On Which Items Is Zakat Obligatory?
According to Ahlul Bait (as), zakat is only obligatory on 9 specific items:
A. Gold & Silver (Sona & Chandi)
If a person owns gold or silver coins that are not for trade purposes and their amount reaches the prescribed threshold, zakat is obligatory.
Minimum threshold (Nisab):
Gold: 20 Mithqal (87.48 grams)
Silver: 200 Dirham (612 grams)
Zakat Rate: 2.5% (1/40)
Example: If a person has 100 grams of gold, zakat is due only on 87.48 grams at 2.5%.
B. Business Goods (Maal-e-Tijarat)
If a person owns tradeable goods for one year, and their value exceeds a certain amount, zakat is due.
Rate: 2.5% of the total value of business inventory.
C. Livestock (Cows, Sheep, Camels, Buffaloes)
Threshold & Zakat Rate:
Camels: If a person owns 5 camels, they must give 1 sheep as zakat.
Cows/Buffaloes: If a person owns 30 cows, they must give a one-year-old calf.
Goats & Sheep: If a person owns 40, they must give 1 sheep.
D. Crops & Fruits (Wheat, Barley, Dates, Raisins)
Rate:
If irrigated by rainwater, zakat is 10%.
If irrigated manually, zakat is 5%.
2. Is Zakat Obligatory on Salary, Business Income, and Investments?
According to Ahlul Bait (as), zakat is not obligatory on salary, business income, investments, or general savings.
However, Khums is obligatory if the saved money remains unused for a year.
Choose Khums option above for this.
3. Zakat al-Fitr (Obligatory Charity on Eid-ul-Fitr)
This is due on the night of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Choose Fitrah option above for this.
4. Is Zakat Due on Houses, Cars, Savings, or Jewelry?
House: No zakat on a personal residence.
Car: No zakat on personal-use vehicles.
Jewelry: If the gold or silver jewelry exceeds the nisab (87.48g gold or 612g silver), zakat is due.
Savings: No zakat on savings, but Khums (20%) is obligatory after one year.
5. Who Can Receive Zakat?
Fuqara (Poor people)
Masakeen (Needy individuals)
Indebted individuals (those in financial hardship)
Islamic scholars or institutions promoting religious education
Poor descendants of Prophet Muhammad (Sadat) cannot receive zakat but can receive Khums.
1. What is Khums?
Khums means “one-fifth” (20%) and is an Islamic obligation for Muslims. It is mentioned in the Quran (Surah Al-Anfal 8:41):
According to Ahlul Bait (as), khums applies to several categories beyond war booty, including savings, business profits, minerals, and treasures.
2. On What Items Is Khums Obligatory?
Khums is due on the following six types of wealth:
A. Surplus Annual Income (Remaining Savings After a Year)
If a person earns money (salary, business profit, rental income, etc.) and after fulfilling all expenses (food, rent, clothing, education, medical, etc.), some money remains unused for a year, they must pay 20% of that remaining amount as khums.
Example:
Yearly Income: Rs.50,000
Yearly Expenses: Rs.45,000
Remaining Savings: Rs.5,000
Khums Due: Rs.1,000 (20% of Rs.5,000)
B. War Booty (Ghanima)
Originally, khums was applied to spoils of war, but in modern times, this rarely applies.
C. Minerals & Natural Resources
If a person extracts minerals (gold, silver, oil, gas, etc.), khums is due on 20% of the extracted value after expenses.
D. Treasure Trove (Buried Treasure)
If a person finds buried treasure or hidden wealth, they must pay khums on its total value.
E. Lawful Wealth Mixed with Illegitimate Wealth
If a person unknowingly earns money that is mixed with unlawful (haram) income and cannot determine how much is haram, they must pay khums on the total amount to purify it.
F. Land Purchased by a Non-Muslim from a Muslim
If a non-Muslim buys land from a Muslim in an Islamic country, khums is due on the full value of the land.
3. Who Must Pay Khums?
Every adult Muslim (Baligh) who has surplus income after a year.
Businesses and companies that make profits must also pay khums if their savings remain unused for a year.
Farmers, traders, employees, landlords, investors, and professionals who save money after covering their expenses.
4. How Is Khums Distributed?
Khums is divided into two equal parts (50% each):
Sahm al-Imam (Share of the Imam) – 50%
This portion is for Imam al-Mahdi (AS) and is given to his representatives (Marja-e-Taqleed or Mujtahideen).
It is used for Islamic education, religious propagation, charity, and welfare projects.
Sahm al-Sadat (Share of Sayyids) – 50%
This portion is for poor and needy Sayyids (descendants of Prophet Muhammad PBUH).
Non-Sayyids cannot receive this share.5. When and How to Pay Khums?
Khums is paid annually on a fixed Islamic date (for example, every 1st Muharram or 1st Ramadhan).
It is given to a Mujtahid (religious scholar) or a trustworthy organization authorized by a Marja-e-Taqleed.
If a person forgets to pay khums in previous years, they must calculate and pay it as soon as possible.
6. Difference Between Khums and Zakat
| Aspect | Khums | Zakaat |
|---|---|---|
| Rate | 20% (1/5) | 2.5% (1/40) |
| Applicable On | Savings, business profits, minerals, treasures, land | Gold, silver, livestock, crops, business goods |
| Obligation | Applies only if money remains unused for a year | Annual obligation if wealth reaches nisab |
| Distribution | 50% for the Imam, 50% for poor Sayyids | Given to general poor, orphans, and Islamic causes |
| Recipients | Sayyids (descendants of the Prophet) and Islamic projects | Any eligible poor person (except Sayyids) |
7. What Happens If Someone Does Not Pay Khums?
Their wealth becomes impure (ghayr-mubah), and its use is considered sinful.
Prayers and religious deeds may not be accepted if one knowingly avoids paying khums.
The money remains a debt to be paid whenever possible.
