What Are the Rulings Related to Zakat al-Fitr and Qurbani?


Hanafi Fiqh

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

How are Zakat al-Fitr and Qurbani calculated based on the gold nisab, and can the head of the household give them on behalf of the family? Is a Qurbani performed by a non-Muslim valid? What are the financial obligations of a Muslim, such as Zakat, Fitrana, Qurbani, and Kaffara?

Do cash and excess personal belongings combine to determine nisab, and does this apply to gold jewelry? If someone has $600 in cash and $300 in excess belongings, is their total wealth $900 for nisab calculation? Is Zakat owed on imitation gold or fake jewelry?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

There are many questions. Each will be broken down and answered.

Qurbani is based on wealth, not just gold. A Muslim must perform Qurbani if they possess wealth equal to or exceeding the silver nisab, which is approximately 612.36 grams of silver. The silver nisab is used because it is more accessible, making more people eligible for Qurbani.

Sadaqa al-Fitr is wajib (necessary) and is fixed by giving ½ Sa‘ of wheat or one Sa‘ of barley, dates, or raisins, or its value in money.

It is given by the head of the household on behalf of the non-mature children.

A Qurbani performed by a non-Muslim is not valid, as they are not morally responsible. However, they will be rewarded for their good acts and deeds in this world. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

Kaffara (Expiations)

There are five types of kaffarat prescribed in Sacred Law. Read this link.

Do Cash and Excess belongings have to Be Combined, as well as Gold Jewelry?

For Zakat, Muslims must assess all their zakatable assets, subtract their debts and immediate expenses, and determine whether they still possess wealth above the nisab threshold for a complete lunar year (hawl).

Step-by-Step Zakat Calculation

1. Determine Zakatable Assets (Total Wealth)

Include:

  • Cash (in hand, bank accounts, digital wallets, etc.)
  • Gold and Silver (whether in jewelry, bullion, or any form)
  • Money Lent Out (if there is a reasonable expectation of repayment)
  • Trade Goods (inventory for business purposes)
  • Stocks and Investments (if purchased for trade; if held long-term, Zakat is due only on the zakatable portion)
  • Agricultural Produce (if applicable, but with different rules for Zakat percentage)

2. Deduct Liabilities

Subtract:

  • Debts (Immediate debts due within the year)
  • Immediate Expenses (Rent, bills, food, necessary clothing, etc.)

3. Check Nisab Threshold

  • Gold Nisab = 87.48 grams of gold
  • Silver Nisab = 612.36 grams of silver

Many scholars recommend using the silver nisab since it benefits more needy people.

4. Pay 2.5% on Surplus Wealth

If your wealth after deductions exceeds the nisab amount, then 2.5% is due as Zakat.

Zakat on $600 and $300

Their total wealth for nisab calculation would be $900, assuming the excess belongings are zakatable assets (e.g., trade goods, gold/silver, or items intended for sale). However, if the excess belongings are personal items (e.g., extra clothes, furniture, a car for personal use), they are not included in Zakat calculations.

Zakat on Imitation and Fake Jewellery

Regardless of value, all fake, imitation, and artificial jewelry are not subject to zakat. The only exception is when these items are considered inventory for business purposes. In such cases, artificial jewelry would be classified as zakatable. This is not because it is defined as jewelry, but because it falls under business wealth or inventory. [Ibn ’Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

Please go through the valuable answers and links below. Insha’Allah, they will provide you with guidance and direction.

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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.