In today’s society, with increasing needs and financial complexities, understanding how to correctly calculate Zakat Al-Mal is crucial to ensure the fulfillment of this duty in a manner pleasing to God.
In today’s article, we will clarify how to calculate Zakat Al-Mal in Egypt based on the guidelines from the Egyptian Dar al-Ifta, highlighting the legal foundations and practical procedures that enable you to determine the amount due, discussing the details of the nisab and its application in daily life.
What is the nisab for Zakat Al-Mal in Egypt according to the Egyptian Dar al-Ifta?
In Egypt, Zakat Al-Mal becomes obligatory when the saved money exceeds the legal nisab, which is equivalent to 85 grams of 21-karat gold, provided this money is debt-free and surplus to the essential needs of the giver.
Once this threshold is reached and a lunar year (hawl) has passed, a Muslim is required to pay 2.5% of their wealth as Zakat, known as “quarter of a tenth,” with the nisab value influenced by the market gold price at the time of payment.
How to Calculate Zakat Al-Mal in Egyptian Pounds
To calculate Zakat Al-Mal in Egyptian pounds, first determine the market price of gold per gram on the day the Zakat is due, then multiply this price by 85 to establish the nisab value. For example, if the price per gram of gold is 3110 Egyptian pounds, the nisab becomes 264,350 Egyptian pounds. If a Muslim’s total wealth reaches or exceeds this amount, it becomes their religious duty to pay Zakat.
Zakat Al-Mal Allocation According to the Egyptian Dar al-Ifta
The Qur’an states: “Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the funds; for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled to Truth; for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.”
The eight recipients of Zakat Al-Mal, as specified by the Egyptian Dar al-Ifta, are:
The Poor: Those who do not have enough to cover their basic needs, and are in dire need, hence Allah mentioned them first in the verse
The Needy: Those who own half of their needs. They possess wealth but it does not cover all their needs
Those Employed to Collect It: These are individuals tasked with collecting and distributing Zakat on A-mal, as prescribed by the Sharia. They may not be poor but are entitled to a wage for their work in collecting Zakat
Those Whose Hearts are to be Reconciled: New Muslims or those inclined towards Islam, and Zakat is given to them to strengthen their faith
The Captives: Slaves or prisoners who need money for their freedom; Allah has permitted the use of Zakat funds for freeing Muslim captives
Those in Debt: Individuals who cannot repay their debts, and Zakat on A-mal is given to settle their debts
In the Cause of Allah: Everything that is a Jihad in Allah’s cause like students of knowledge whose pursuit of religious or worldly sciences is considered a Jihad.
The Wayfarer: Travelers or passersby who need financial support to meet their basic needs during their journey
How to Donate Zakat Al-Mal from Egypt to Northern Syria?
Over the past ten years, Syrians have been enduring dire humanitarian conditions, making their lives increasingly difficult as the conflict ages and as they are deprived of even their most basic rights.
Consequently, Masarat Initiative has focused on the educational needs of students who have lost everything due to the war, providing free education to Syrians in camps and to internally displaced persons, with particular attention to orphans who lack a provider.
The Initiative believes that education is a right that everyone should have equally, and that quality education can change an individual’s life, their family, and extend to the surrounding community.
The more our community engages in extending help to our Syrian children in displacement camps, the more apparent the impact of these aids becomes in shaping and building their future aspirations.
Through your zakat Al-mal donations, Masarat Initiative will be able to include as many children as possible who have been deprived of education, and also provide financial assistance that allows them to persevere and continue their educational journey, learning to be exemplary figures for future generations.
You can make your donations by clicking the donation button.
Masarat for Sustainable Training and Education in Northern Syria
In the context of displacement movements and the spread of refugee camps, especially informal ones, there has been a complete erosion of a healthy educational infrastructure. With the rising poverty rates, there has also been an increase in dropout rates, especially among orphans and people with disabilities. Therefore, Masarat is committed to providing free online education, reaching them in their homes and inside their dilapidated canvas tents.
We offer them education and knowledge through an integrated knowledge system aimed at developing a capable individual who can lead a dignified life.
Your donation today contributes to expanding our reach and impacting thousands of orphans who have left
their studies and joined the labor market. Remember the saying of the Prophet, “I and the caretaker of the orphan are like these two in Paradise.”
