Zakat is an essential pillar of Islam and a religious obligation for all eligible Muslims. However, many people make common mistakes when calculating, paying, or distributing their Zakat. Understanding these errors can help ensure that your Zakat is correctly fulfilled and reaches those who need it most.
1. Not Checking Eligibility (Nisab)
Many people fail to check whether they meet the Nisab threshold, which is the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must possess before Zakat becomes obligatory. The Nisab is based on the value of 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver. If your wealth exceeds this threshold for a full lunar year, you must pay Zakat.
How to Avoid: Regularly check the market value of gold or silver and assess your total wealth accordingly.
2. Incorrect Calculation of Zakatable Wealth
A common mistake is miscalculating wealth by either excluding certain assets that require Zakat or including non-Zakatable assets. Zakat applies to cash, gold, silver, business inventory, investments, and rental income but not to personal-use items like your home or car.
How to Avoid: Use a reliable Zakat calculator, such as MyZakat, to ensure accuracy in your calculations.
3. Forgetting to Deduct Liabilities
Many people overpay or underpay their Zakat by failing to deduct short-term debts and immediate expenses.
How to Avoid: Before calculating Zakat, subtract outstanding debts and necessary living expenses from your total wealth.
4. Delaying Zakat Payment
Some Muslims delay paying Zakat, forgetting that it is due as soon as one lunar year has passed over eligible wealth. Delaying can lead to non-fulfilment of this obligation.
How to Avoid: Set a reminder or automate your Zakat payments through platforms like MyZakat to ensure timely contributions.
5. Giving Zakat to Ineligible Recipients
The Quran (Surah At-Tawbah 9:60) specifies eight categories of people eligible to receive Zakat. Many mistakenly give Zakat to family members who do not qualify, such as parents, children, or spouses.
How to Avoid: Ensure your Zakat goes to eligible recipients, such as the poor (Al-Fuqara’), the needy (Al-Masakin), and those in debt (Al-Gharimin). Use a trusted platform like MyZakat to distribute your Zakat properly.
6. Not Keeping Track of Zakat Payments
Many people forget to record their Zakat payments, leading to inconsistency in yearly contributions.
How to Avoid: Keep a record of your Zakat calculations and payments. Many online platforms, including MyZakat, offer tracking features to help you manage your donations efficiently.
7. Believing Sadaqah Can Replace Zakat
While both Zakat and Sadaqah are charitable acts, they are not interchangeable. Zakat is obligatory, while Sadaqah is voluntary and does not fulfill the duty of Zakat.
How to Avoid: Prioritise Zakat before giving voluntary charity. Use platforms like MyZakat to ensure your obligation is met before making additional contributions.
8. Paying Zakat on Non-Zakatable Assets
Some people mistakenly pay Zakat on items that are not subject to it, such as personal homes, cars, or everyday household goods.
How to Avoid: Understand the difference between personal-use assets and Zakatable assets to avoid unnecessary payments.
9. Paying Zakat in Small, Insufficient Amounts
Splitting Zakat into small, scattered amounts over time can result in improper distribution, making it less impactful.
How to Avoid: Where possible, pay Zakat in a lump sum to ensure the recipient benefits fully. If paying in instalments, ensure the full amount is given within the required timeframe.
10. Not Intending Zakat Properly
Some people give money to charity without making the intention (Niyyah) that it is for Zakat. Without intention, the payment does not count as fulfilling the obligation.
How to Avoid: Before giving Zakat, make a clear intention that your contribution is for the sake of fulfilling this duty in accordance with Islamic teachings.
Final Thoughts
Avoiding these common mistakes ensures that your Zakat is correctly calculated, promptly paid, and effectively distributed. By using MyZakat, you can calculate your Zakat accurately, track payments, and choose eligible causes with ease.
Fulfill your Zakat obligation today—calculate and donate with MyZakat.