What Zakat is
Zakat is the obligatory annual giving that is one of the five pillars of Islam. In its most common form it is 2.5% (one-fortieth) of a Muslim’s net eligible wealth, held for a full lunar (Hijri) year, when that wealth is at or above a minimum threshold called the nisab. Many families calculate it during Ramadan, though the due date is set by each person’s own Zakat anniversary.
The details, such as which assets count, which debts can be deducted and whether the nisab is measured against gold or silver, vary between schools of jurisprudence and scholars. That’s why OIOA’s calculator is designed as a careful estimate that leaves those judgements with you and your scholar.
What the calculator asks for
Enter values in your own currency:
- Cash and savings: cash in hand and bank balances.
- Gold and silver: the current eligible value of the gold and silver you hold.
- Eligible receivables: money owed to you that you expect to receive.
- Zakatable investments and business assets: for example shares held for trade, and business stock.
- Allowable immediate liabilities: debts due now that your school permits you to deduct.
- Your applicable nisab threshold, in the same currency. Optional, for an eligibility check.
Tap Calculate 2.5% Zakat and OIOA shows:
- your net assets, eligible assets minus allowable liabilities,
- whether that’s at or above the nisab you entered,
- the estimated Zakat: 2.5% of net eligible assets.
Why you enter the nisab yourself
The nisab is defined as a weight of gold or silver, so its value in rupees changes with metal prices every day. Different scholars also advise different bases. Rather than fetching a price from the internet, which would need a connection and might not match your scholar’s guidance, OIOA lets you enter the nisab figure you’ve been advised to use. If you leave it blank, the app still shows the 2.5% estimate.
Private by design
Financial details are among the most sensitive data a person has. The Zakat calculator:
- runs entirely on your phone,
- uses no market-rate service and no financial data upload,
- works offline.
Your figures are not sent to OIOA or to anyone else.
What the estimate assumes
The result assumes the lunar holding year and the other religious conditions are satisfied. The app shows this on screen. It’s a calculation aid, not a fatwa. For questions such as:
- whether jewellery in regular use is zakatable,
- how to treat retirement funds, loans or property,
- which nisab basis applies to you,
please consult a scholar you trust. The disclaimer applies.
Worked example
Suppose, in rupees, you hold savings of 2,00,000, gold valued at 3,00,000 and business stock of 1,00,000, and you have an immediate liability of 50,000 that your school allows you to deduct. Eligible assets are 6,00,000. Net assets after liabilities are 5,50,000. If that’s above the nisab you entered, the estimated Zakat is 2.5% of 5,50,000, which is 13,750.
These figures are only an illustration. They aren’t advice about what counts as eligible for you.
Where to find it
The Zakat calculator is a module on the Islamic community’s Home screen, alongside prayer times and Qibla and the Hijri calendar. Because OIOA treats all communities equally, it’s one of several community-specific tools, alongside Navkarshi times for Jain users and others.
Common questions
Does OIOA calculate the nisab for me?
No. Enter the nisab value you’ve been advised to use. This keeps the calculator offline and lets you follow your own scholar’s guidance.
Is my data saved or uploaded?
No. The calculation happens on your phone, and nothing is uploaded.
Can I use it for my family’s Zakat?
You can run the calculator as many times as you like, for example once for each family member’s own assets.
Which currency should I use?
Any currency, as long as every figure, including the nisab, is in the same one.
Is Zakat the same as Sadaqah?
No. Zakat is obligatory and calculated as described above. Sadaqah is voluntary charity with no fixed amount.
Key terms
- Nisab: the minimum amount of wealth above which Zakat becomes due, commonly given as the value of about 85 grams of gold or about 595 grams of silver. Scholars differ on the exact figures and on which basis to use.
- Hawl: the full lunar year for which wealth must be held before Zakat is due.
- Zakatable assets: assets on which Zakat is payable, such as cash, gold, silver, trade goods and certain investments.
- Liabilities: debts that may be deducted before calculating Zakat, according to your school’s guidance.
- Sadaqah: voluntary charity, separate from Zakat.
Keeping your Zakat date
Because Zakat follows the Hijri year, its Gregorian date moves about 11 days earlier each year. Add your Zakat anniversary as a note on the Hijri calendar and set it to repeat by community date, and OIOA will remind you the day before, every year, on the right Hijri date.