Understanding Zakat Mal and Zakat Fitrah
A short explanation of the difference between zakat mal and zakat fitrah, nisab, and how to calculate them.
Zakat Fitrah
Zakat fitrah is obligatory for every capable Muslim, paid during Ramadan before the Eid al-Fitr prayer, at 2.5 kg or 3.5 litres of staple food, or its monetary equivalent.
Zakat Mal
Zakat mal is due on wealth that has reached the nisab (equivalent to 85 grams of gold) and been held for one lunar year (haul), at a rate of 2.5%.
“Take from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase.” (Qur'an 9:103)