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Is the obligatory zakat due from a Muslim, which is one of the five pillars of Islam, different from the zakat of Ramadan?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Zakat is of two types: Zakat al-Mal (Zakat on wealth), which is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is obligatory on livestock, gold and silver (and banknotes), trade goods, and what comes forth from the earth (crops and fruits like wheat, barley, dates, and raisins, and buried treasures - Rikaz). Whoever denies its obligation disbelieves, and whoever withholds it is a transgressor (fasiq) and must be fought if they insist on withholding it.

The other type is Zakat al-Fitr, which is obligatory at the end of Ramadan, but it is not a pillar of Islam, and one who denies it does not disbelieve. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, ordained it as a purification for the fasting person and a food for the needy, and it is to be paid before the Eid prayer.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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