Zakat is obligatory for every Muslim who is free, of sound mind, has reached puberty, and possesses wealth equal to the nisab amount, excluding basic necessities and debts. It is a condition that one lunar year has passed since the wealth was acquired and that the wealth is of a nature that can increase in value.

The threshold of wealth required for zakat to be obligatory (nisab) is the possession of 80.14 grams of gold or an equivalent amount of money or trade goods. When calculating this amount, the family’s annual living expenses and debts are deducted, and then certain receivables are added to the current savings; if the remaining amount exceeds this threshold, the obligation to pay zakat begins.

The zakat rate for gold, silver, cash, foreign currency, and trade goods is set at 2.5% annually (one-fortieth). In industrial enterprises, only working capital assets (raw materials, finished goods, and cash) are subject to zakat at this rate. For agricultural products, rates of 10% (ushr) or 5% apply, depending on the irrigation method.

The Holy Quran identifies eight categories of recipients for zakat: the poor, the needy, zakat collectors, those whose hearts are to be won over to Islam, slaves, those in debt, those fighting in the cause of Allah, and travelers. A person may not give their zakat to those they are obligated to support, such as their parents, children, or spouse.

Zakat is obligatory for those who possess the nisab amount of wealth (80.14 grams of gold), provided that a full year has passed since acquiring it; whereas Fitre (Fıtır Charity) is obligatory for every Muslim who possesses this wealth on the morning of the festival. Charity, however, is a broader concept encompassing any voluntary donation made for the sake of Allah, without requiring the nisab threshold. It is essential to give Fitre before the Eid prayer.