1. Poor-friendly Nisab: To encourage helping the underprivileged, a lower wealth threshold is considered for Zakat eligibility, ensuring that more people step forward to assist the poor.

2. Self-beneficial Nisab: To minimize or completely avoid giving Zakat, a higher wealth threshold is considered, leading to reduced Zakat contributions.

The poor-friendly Nisab is based on 52.5 tola (612.35 grams) of silver. If the market price of silver is 1,000 taka per tola, the total value amounts to 52,500 taka.

The self-beneficial Nisab is based on 7.5 tola (87.45 grams) of gold. If the market price of gold is 48,000 taka per tola, the total value amounts to 360,000 taka.

Islamic law allows individuals to choose either of these Nisabs. However, it is evident which choice will brighten one’s afterlife.

Do You Qualify for Zakat?

Check whether your total wealth meets or exceeds either of the two Nisabs: • If

(a) your wealth is equal to or exceeds either of these amounts, •

(b) this wealth is beyond your essential needs, and •

(c) it remains in your possession for one year, then Zakat is obligatory on the excess wealth.

Zakat is 2.5% of the excess wealth, which means:

• 25 taka per 1,000 taka,

• 2,500 taka per 100,000 taka (1 lakh).

This must be distributed among the eight categories mentioned in the Quran.

Essential Needs Based on Profession

Your essential needs depend on your profession:

1. For farmers: Essential wealth covers food, daily necessities, and the ability to prepare the land for the next harvest. Any wealth beyond this is included in Nisab.

2. For businessmen: Essential wealth covers food, daily necessities, and funds required to purchase the next round of goods. Any wealth beyond this is included in Nisab.

3. For salaried employees: Essential wealth depends on the salary frequency:

• Annual salary → Essential needs cover one year.

• Monthly salary → Essential needs cover one month.

• Weekly salary → Essential needs cover one week.

• Daily wage → Essential needs cover one day.

Any wealth beyond these essential needs is included in Nisab.

Eight Categories Eligible for Zakat.

As mentioned in Surah At-Tawba (9:60), Zakat must be given to one or more of these eight categories:

1. Fuqara (Poor people)

2. Miskin (Needy individuals)

3. Zakat collectors

4. New Muslims (to strengthen their faith)

5. To free captives/slaves

6. Those in debt

7. For the cause of Allah (including Mujahids, preachers, teachers, and students of Islamic knowledge)

8. Travelers in need