Zakat Calculator Kerala: Shafi Fiqh Rules, Nisab & Wealth Guide

1. Nisab (നിസ്വാബ് - Minimum Wealth Threshold)

Nisab is the specific minimum threshold of wealth an individual must possess before Zakat becomes obligatory. For gold, the canonical Shafi standard is 20 Mithqals (85 grams). For silver, it is 200 Dirhams (595 grams). For cash and commercial merchandise, scholars calculate the threshold against 85 grams of gold at prevailing local market rates.

2. Hawl (ഹൗൽ - One Lunar Year Holding)

Wealth must remain in your possession continuously for one complete lunar year (approx. 354 days) above the Nisab threshold. If wealth dips below Nisab during the year (in currencies, gold, or silver), the Hawl counter restarts when Nisab is regained. Agricultural produce and mined wealth are exempt from Hawl and due on harvest.

3. Complete Ownership (അൽ-മിൽകുത്താം)

The payer must have full, unfettered legal ownership and possession of the asset. Encumbered wealth, public endowments (Waqf), or bad debts that are unrecoverable do not count towards Zakatable assets until actually recovered.

4. Deduction of Immediate Debts (കടങ്ങൾ കുറയ്ക്കൽ)

Short-term debts and liabilities due immediately are deducted from gross liquid assets. Long-term loans (such as home mortgages) are generally deducted only to the extent of the current year’s due installment.

🪙 Gold & Silver (സ്വർണ്ണവും വെള്ളിയും)

Gold coins, bars, bullion, and investment biscuits are unconditionally subject to Zakat at 2.5% once the total reaches 85 grams. Under the Shafi Madhhab, personal jewelry worn lawfully by women in customary limits is exempt. However, ornaments kept as an investment, male jewelry prohibited in Shariah, or collections exceeding local customary weight are Zakatable.

💵 Cash, Bank Deposits & Fixed Deposits (പണവും ബാങ്ക് നിക്ഷേപങ്ങളും)

All liquid currency — whether physical cash, savings accounts, checking accounts, or fixed deposits — is treated as monetary wealth. Once the aggregate liquid savings across all accounts reach the Nisab of 85 grams of gold, 2.5% is payable on the total balance after completing one lunar year.

📦 Business Merchandise (വ്യാപാരച്ചരക്കുകൾ - Urud al-Tijarah)

Items purchased with the intention of resale for profit are commercial merchandise. On your annual Zakat valuation date, assess the wholesale market value of current unsold stock, add cash and expected trade receivables, subtract immediate supplier payments, and pay 2.5% on the net balance. Fixed company assets (machinery, office furniture, transport vehicles) are exempt.

Can I give Zakat to my immediate parents, spouse, or children?

Under Islamic law, you cannot give Zakat to individuals for whose basic financial support you are legally responsible — this includes your parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, and wife. However, you may give Zakat to impoverished siblings, uncles, aunts, or in-laws if they meet the criteria of poverty.

Should Zakat be calculated based on the Gold or Silver Nisab in Kerala?

Classical Shafi scholarship benchmarks currency and trade against the 85-gram gold standard (the original Mithqal monetary measure). Some contemporary scholars recommend using the silver Nisab (595 grams) because its lower monetary value benefits a wider group of impoverished recipients. The Al-Bader calculator provides instant toggles for both standards so you can choose with full transparency.