Is zakat on trade goods obligatory for mobile applications and computer programs, and what is obligatory for them if zakat on trade goods is not obligatory?
Zakat on trade is obligatory for applications and software offered for sale if their value reaches the nisab (the equivalent of 595 grams of silver). Their value is assessed at market price upon the completion of a hawl (lunar year), and a quarter of a tenth (2.5%) is to be given. If sold before the hawl, their price is subject to zakat upon the completion of the hawl, or the substitute product is subject to zakat if the price was invested in it. Debts that are expected to be recovered are to be included for zakat. However, if the software is used for a fee and its ownership remains with the producer, then trade zakat is not obligatory on it. Rather, zakat is obligatory on the money collected from it if it reaches the nisab and a hawl has passed on it, and a quarter of a tenth is to be given.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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