Nishab and haul zakat are two important concepts in zakat law that we sometimes confuse. Although both are related to the obligation of zakat mal, they have different meanings and functions in determining who is obliged to pay zakat. By understanding these differences, a muzakki can pay zakat correctly in accordance with the law, so that his wealth is clean, blessed, and beneficial to the community.
Allah says, “Take zakat from their wealth (in order) to purify and cleanse them, and pray for them, for indeed your prayers are a source of tranquility for them. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing” (QS. At-Taubah verse 103).
Read also: Nisab Zakat on Silver is Different from Zakat on Gold, Dont Get Mixed Up!
What is the difference between nishab and haul zakat?
Nishab and haul zakat have different definitions. Nishab is the minimum threshold of wealth owned, while haul is the length of time a person has owned that wealth. If a Muslim fulfills these two conditions, then he or she is obliged to pay zakat. The amount of nishab zakat can vary, while haul is calculated based on the ownership of wealth for one year.
Nishab also has conditions that must be met. First, the wealth must be wealth that is beyond the daily needs that must be fulfilled by a Muslim. Examples include food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and tools used for livelihood. The second condition is that the wealth to be zakat must have been owned for one year (haul) from the time of nishab ownership. However, this nishab requirement does not apply to zakat on agricultural produce and fruits. This is because zakat on agricultural produce and fruits is paid immediately when the harvest arrives. Similarly, zakat on treasure/found items is paid when we find the treasure, without waiting for one year (haul).
Read also: Correct Nisab of Zakat on Assets to Purify Wealth
Nishab and Haul for Gold, Silver, and Money
The nishab and haul for gold, silver, and savings are determined by the standard of gold and silver. The nishab is 85 grams of pure gold or 612 grams of silver. If someone has savings equivalent to the nishab and has kept them for one haul (one Hijri year), then they are required to pay zakat of 2.5% of the total wealth.
Example of gold zakat calculation:
If the price of gold per gram is IDR 1,200,000, then the nishab for zakat = 85 x IDR 1,200,000 = IDR 102,000,000. This means that if you have savings of at least IDR 102,000,000 in one year, then you are obliged to pay zakat.
Therefore, the amount of zakat that must be paid is IDR 102,000,000 x 2.5% = IDR 2,550,000.
For zakat on money, the calculation is the same as for zakat on gold. If you have money equivalent to 85 grams of gold, then you are obliged to pay zakat.
Example of silver zakat calculation:
If the price of silver per gram is IDR 30,000, the zakat nishab = 612 x IDR 30,000 = IDR 18,360,000. Therefore, the zakat amount to be paid is IDR 18,360,000 x 2.5% = IDR 459,000.
Read also: How to Calculate Zakat on Gold, Terms, and Nisab
Nishab Zakat on Trade
Assets obtained from trading must be calculated to determine whether they have reached nishab or not. This zakat command is in accordance with the hadith narrated by Abu Dawud, which reads, “The Messenger of Allah commanded us to pay zakat on the goods we prepare for sale.”
Trade zakat is calculated from the capital plus business profits. The nisab is the same as gold zakat, which is 85 grams of gold. If the value of the business assets reaches or exceeds the nisab and has been running for one haul, then it is obligatory to pay 2.5% zakat from the total net assets.
The calculation method is as follows:
Trade zakat nisab = equivalent to 85 grams of gold.
If the value of 1 gram of gold is equivalent to IDR 1,200,000, then the nishab for trade zakat is equivalent to IDR 102,000,000.
So, if you have capital plus net profit worth more than IDR 102 million in 1 year, then you are required to pay zakat.
Formula for calculating trade zakat:
Zakat = (capital + profit – maturing debt – uncollectible receivables) x 2.5%
Case simulation: for example, there is a clothing merchant. His business capital is IDR 150 million. His net profit for one year is IDR 50 million. Mature debts amount to IDR 30 million, and uncollectible receivables amount to IDR 20 million. Therefore, the zakat calculation is = (150,000,000 + 50,000,000) – 30,000,000 – 20,000,000 = IDR 150,000,000
The total assets worth IDR 150 million have reached the nisab, so the zakat value is IDR 150 million x 2.5% = IDR 3,750,000.
Read also: 5 Parties Not eligible to Receive Zakat
Nishab and Haul for Livestock Zakat
The nishab and haul for livestock zakat differ according to the type of livestock. Livestock is subject to zakat if it has been owned for a full Hijri year. The minimum nishab for camels is 5, for cows is 30, and for goats or sheep is 40.
According to almanhaj.or.id, the nishab and zakat amounts are as follows:
Nishab for Camels
The nishab for camels is 5, so the zakat amounts are as follows:
5–9 camels = 1 goat
10–14 camels = 2 goats
15–19 heads = 3 goats
20–24 heads = 4 goats
25–35 heads = 1 bintu makhad
36–45 heads = 1 bintu labun
46–60 heads = 1 hiqqah
61–75 heads = 1 jadzah
76–90 heads = 2 bintu labun
91–120 heads = 2 hiqqah
121 heads = 3 bintu labun
130 camels = 1 hiqqah and two bintu labun
140 camels = 2 hiqqah and two bintu labun
150 camels = 3 hiqqah
160 camels = 4 bintu labun
170 camels = 1 hiqqah and 3 bintu labun
180 camels = 2 hiqqah camels and 2 bintu labun camels
Explanation:
- Bintu makhad is a camel that is one year old.
- Bintu labun is a camel that is two years old.
- Hiqqah is a camel that is three years old.
- Jadzah is a camel that is four years old.
Nishab for Cattle
The nishab for cattle is 30 heads. If you have less than 30 heads, there is no zakat. If you have 30 heads or more, the zakat calculation is as follows:
30–39 heads = 1 tabi’ or tabi’ah
40–59 heads = 1 musinnah
60 cows = 2 tabi’ or 2 tabi’ah
70 cows = 1 tabi’ and 1 musinnah
80 cows = 2 musinnah
90 cows = 3 tabi’
100 cows = 2 tabi’ and 1 musinnah.
Explanation:
- Tabi’ and tabi’ah are male and female cows that are one year old.
- Musinnah is a female cow that is two years old.
- For every 30 cows, the zakat is one tabi’, and for every 40 cows, the zakat is one musinnah.
So, for example, if you have 50 cows for one year, then the number of livestock has reached the nishab and you must pay zakat on livestock equivalent to 1 musinnah or a 2-year-old female cow.
Nishab for Goats
The nishab for goats is 40. So the calculation is as follows:
40 goats = 1 goat
120 goats = 2 goats.
201-300 goats = 3 goats.
More than 300 goats = 1 goat for every 100 goats.
Nishab for Agricultural and Agricultural Produce Zakat (Without Haul)
Agricultural zakat is different from wealth zakat because there is no haul requirement. Friends are required to pay agricultural zakat every time the harvest arrives, with a minimum nishab of 653 kg of grain or the equivalent of approximately 520 kg of rice.
Allah says in His revelation, “It is He who grows creeping and non-creeping plants, date palms, plants of various flavors, and olives and pomegranates that are similar (in shape and color) and dissimilar (in taste). Eat of their fruit when it bears fruit and give its due (zakat) when you harvest it. But do not be excessive. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are excessive” (QS. Al-An’am verse 141).
The rate of agricultural zakat is 5% of the total harvest if the rice fields are irrigated using costs or irrigation/tools. It is 10% if irrigation is done naturally through rainwater and rivers.
Calculation of Nishab Zakat Rikaz (Treasure/Findings)
Zakat rikaz has different rules. This zakat does not have a specific nishab or haul requirement. All found treasures must immediately have 20% zakat paid upon discovery. The Prophet said, “On rikaz (buried treasure), the zakat is one-fifth (20%)” (HR. Bukhari and Muslim).
Read also: This is the Amount of Zakat Maal Nishab You Need to Know
Make Sure to Pay Zakat When You Have Reached Nishab and Haul
Every Muslim who has the means is obliged to pay zakat. This ability is determined by the amount of wealth owned, whether it has reached the nisab and haul or not. Zakat purifies our wealth and cleanses our souls. It distances us from greed for wealth and brings us closer to Allah SWT. Immediately check whether your wealth has reached the nisab and haul or not. If it has, immediately pay the zakat so that we may always be blessed.
