income of the Regency / City Minimum Wage (UMK). Zakat on income or professional zakat is one of the obligations for Muslims who have met certain conditions. However, not all salaries are automatically subject to zakat obligations. There are criteria that must be considered, such as nisab and haul. Then, how does Islam regulate income zakat? Does a salary of 3 million per month meet the mandatory zakat requirements? Check out the full explanation below.
Evidence of Zakat Obligation in the Qur’an and Hadiths
Zakat is an obligation for every Muslim who has assets reaching the nisab. In the Qur’an, Surah At-Taubah verse 103, Allah SWT says “Take zakat from their wealth (to) purify and cleanse them, and pray for them, for indeed your prayers are a peace for them. Allah is All-Hearing and All-Knowing.”
The above verse emphasizes that zakat is not only a social worship, but also a purification of wealth. Because in the process of obtaining wealth, there may be things that harm people or other parties without us realizing it. Therefore, zakat can be said to purify the wealth we have. So that when we enjoy the treasure, there is a sense of sufficiency and a calm heart.
Rasulullah SAW also said, “Islam is built on five things: testifying that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, establishing prayers, paying zakat, fasting in Ramadan, and performing Hajj for those who can afford it” (HR. Bukhari No. 8 and Muslim No. 16).
This Hadith shows that zakat is one of the pillars of Islam that should not be neglected. However, not everyone is obliged to pay zakat, including in the context of income zakat.
Read also: Zakat on Income, To Whom Should It Be Given?
Zakat on Income in the Light of Jurisprudence
Scholars differ on the obligation of income tax. The Hanafi school does not require zakaah on income unless the wealth has been stored for one year. Meanwhile, the majority of scholars, including those from the Shafi’i, Maliki and Hambali madhabs, consider that regular income, such as salary, must be zakaah every month if it has reached the nisab.
Imam Nawawi in Al-Majmu’ Syarh Al-Muhadzdzab explains that zakat is obligatory on every asset that grows. Income that is earned regularly can be considered as a growing asset, so it is included in the category that must be zakaah if it meets the nisab requirements.
This opinion is also reinforced by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) in Fatwa Number 3 of 2003, which states that income zakat must be issued every month if it has reached the nisab worth 85 grams of gold. This nisab is calculated based on the prevailing gold price when zakat is issued.
Read also: Paying Zakat on your income when you’re already paid, is it obligatory?
3 Million Salary Is Income Zakat Obligatory?
To determine whether a salary of 3 million is subject to zakat, we need to compare it with the nisab of income zakat. The nisab of income zakat is equivalent to 85 grams of gold in one year. If the current gold price is around Rp1 million per gram, then the nisab of income zakat is Rp85 million per year or around Rp7.08 million per month.
If a person’s salary is less than Rp7.08 million per month, then it is not yet obligatory to pay income zakat. Thus, a salary of 3 million per month does not meet the nisab of income zakat and is not obligatory. However, if a person has other sources of income that make his total income reach the nisab, then zakat must still be paid.
Read also: Which Person is Obliged to Pay Income Zakat?
What if you want to give zakat even though it is not yet obligatory?
Even though the salary of 3 million does not meet the nisab of zakat, one can still give alms or give infaq. Allah SWT. says:
“And spend some of what We have given you before death comes to one of you, and he says: ‘My Lord, why have You not delayed (my death) until a short time, so that I may give in charity and be among the righteous?” (QS. Al-Munafiqun: 10)
The above verse shows that charity has a great virtue. For those who are not yet obliged to pay zakat but still want to give charity, infaq and sadaqah can be an option. In fact, some scholars recommend giving zakat as a form of purification of wealth, even if the amount does not reach the nisab.
Read also: Paying Zakat Fitrah at the Beginning of Ramadan, Makruh? Here are the 5 Times of Payment
How to Calculate Zakat on Income
If a person has an income that has reached the nisab, the zakat that must be paid is 2.5% of the total net income. The calculation method is as follows:
For example, a person has a salary of 8 million rupiah per month. Since this amount exceeds the nisab, then he is obliged to pay zakat:
Zakat = 2.5% × Rp8,000,000 = Rp200,000 per month
This zakat can be paid every month or collected for one year and then paid at once.
The Virtues of Paying Zakat on Income
Paying zakat has many benefits, both in terms of spiritual and social. In Islam, zakat serves as a purification of wealth and a form of concern for others. The Prophet Muhammad saw. said, “Fortify your wealth with zakat, treat the sick with alms, and ward off evil with prayer” (HR Baihaqi in Sunan Al-Kubra No. 6936, rated hasan by Al-Albani).
This Hadith shows that zakat not only affects the recipient, but also protects wealth and brings blessings to those who pay it.
In addition, zakat helps to create social justice. By paying zakat, a Muslim participates in helping those who are less fortunate. Islam teaches that some of the wealth owned is the right of others in need.
Read also: Easy Way to Pay Income Zakat, Your Zakat Can Be Picked Up!
Planting Blessings Through Zakat at Dompet Dhuafa
Is a salary of 3 million zakat obligatory? The answer depends on the nisab of income zakat. Based on the calculation of the nisab of 85 grams of gold, a salary of 3 million per month does not yet meet the requirements for mandatory zakat because it is still below the nisab limit of around 7.08 million rupiah per month. However, if a person has other sources of income that make his total income reach the nisab, then he is obliged to pay zakat of 2.5% of the total net income.
For those who have not reached the nisab, infaq and sadaqah are still encouraged as a form of social concern and purification of wealth. Islam not only emphasizes the obligation of zakat, but also encourages its followers to share with others. By understanding the criteria and calculation of income zakat, we can be wiser in managing our wealth and carrying out our obligations as a Muslim. You can also plant the blessings of social care by supporting community empowerment programs, through zakat at Dompet Dhuafa.
