Zakat becomes due once your wealth has stayed above the nisab threshold for one full lunar year, known as a hawl. There is no universal date. Your zakat year starts on the day your wealth first passed nisab, and it falls due on that same date each lunar year afterwards.
Finding your zakat date
Think back to when your savings first crossed the nisab threshold and stayed there. That date becomes your anniversary. If you genuinely cannot recall, choose a date you will remember and use it consistently from now on. Many people pick a date in Ramadan, both because the reward for good deeds is emphasised in that month and because it is simply easier to remember.
Why your date moves earlier every year
Zakat follows the lunar calendar, which runs roughly eleven days shorter than the Gregorian year. So if you paid on 1 April this year, next year’s due date lands in late March. Over a decade the drift is significant, which is why tracking by the Islamic calendar is more reliable than pinning it to a Gregorian date.
Worth knowing: because the lunar year is shorter, someone paying by the Gregorian calendar will slowly fall behind, missing roughly one payment every 33 years. Some scholars address this by applying a slightly higher rate of about 2.577% for those who calculate on solar years.
What if my wealth dipped during the year?
The common position is that what matters is your wealth at the start and end of the lunar year, not every fluctuation in between. If you were above nisab on your zakat date last year and above it again this year, zakat is due on the balance you hold now, even if the amount dropped temporarily during the year.
If your wealth fell below nisab and stayed there, the clock resets. Your new zakat year begins when you next cross the threshold.
Can I pay early?
Yes. Paying in advance is permitted, and many people do it during Ramadan or when a need arises. Estimate the amount, pay it, then reconcile on your actual date. Delaying without good reason, on the other hand, is discouraged, since the money is considered owed from the moment it falls due.
What if I have missed years?
Missed zakat remains owed. It does not lapse. The usual approach is to estimate as accurately as you reasonably can for each missed year and pay it, starting with the earliest. If you are unsure how to estimate, speak with a scholar rather than avoiding the question. Working through it, even imperfectly, is better than leaving it.
Once you know your date, our guide to calculating your zakat covers the maths.
Frequently asked questions
Is zakat due in Ramadan?
Not necessarily. Zakat is due on your own lunar anniversary, whenever that falls. Many people choose a Ramadan date because it is memorable and the month is spiritually emphasised, but it is not a requirement.
What is a hawl?
A hawl is one full lunar year. Zakat becomes due after your wealth has remained above the nisab threshold for that period.
What if my savings dropped mid-year?
The common position is that the start and end of your zakat year matter, not temporary dips. If your wealth fell below nisab and stayed there, the year resets when you next cross it.
Can I pay my zakat in instalments?
Many scholars permit it, particularly where paying at once would cause hardship, provided the full amount is paid. Some prefer paying in advance across the year and reconciling on your date.
I have not paid zakat for years. What now?
Missed zakat remains owed and does not expire. Estimate each missed year as accurately as you can and pay it, beginning with the earliest. A qualified scholar can help you work through it.
This article is general information about a point of Islamic practice, not a religious ruling. Scholars differ on some details. For guidance specific to your circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.
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