Zakat Calculator UAE 2026
AED Nisab · DFM Stocks · Gratuity · Crypto

Zakat in the UAE — A Unique Melting Pot of Madhabs and Wealth Types

No country in the world brings together a more diverse Muslim population than the United Arab Emirates. With Emiratis, South Asians, Arabs from across the region and Muslims from dozens of other nationalities all living and working in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates, the Zakat landscape in the UAE is uniquely complex. Different Madhabs, different asset types — DFM shares, end-of-service gratuity, GPSSA pensions, offshore investments — and dramatically varying levels of wealth create a genuine need for clarity.

UAE Nisab 2026 — AED 2,750 or AED 32,000?

In 2026, the Zakat Nisab in the UAE is approximately AED 32,000 based on the gold standard (87.48 grams of 24K gold) or approximately AED 2,750 based on the silver standard (612.36 grams of silver). Because the UAE gold price tracks international dollar-denominated spot prices, the AED Nisab changes every trading day. The silver Nisab is the more commonly applied threshold across the UAE's diverse Muslim community — particularly among the large South Asian expat population following Hanafi fiqh.

End-of-Service Gratuity — A UAE-Specific Zakat Question

The UAE's Labour Law entitles employees to an end-of-service gratuity on departure — typically 21 days' pay per year of service for the first five years and 30 days thereafter. This creates a unique Zakat question. The scholarly consensus is: gratuity that has been received and is sitting in your bank account or under your control on your Zakat date is fully zakatable as liquid cash. Gratuity that is still owed by your employer but not yet paid is treated as a future receivable — many scholars say Zakat becomes due on it in the year you actually receive it, not while it is outstanding.

DFM and ADX Stocks — Zakat on UAE Equity Markets

Shares listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) or Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) are zakatable at their current market value on your Zakat date. This applies equally to UAE nationals and expatriates holding shares in UAE-listed companies. Mutual funds and ETFs listed on these exchanges are treated the same way — include the total AED market value of all UAE and international equity holdings in the Investments tab. The 2.5% Zakat rate applies to the full value.

GPSSA Pension — What is Actually Zakatable?

UAE nationals contribute to the General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA). The mainstream scholarly position treats pension funds similarly to other locked retirement accounts: Zakat is due only on the amount you can currently withdraw or access. For most active employees, GPSSA funds cannot be accessed until retirement — so many scholars hold that Zakat is not yet due on the accumulated pension balance. The withdrawable portion (if any) should be included in your Zakat calculation.

Gold Jewellery — Hanafi vs Hanbali in the UAE

This is the question most UAE-resident Muslim women face. The answer depends entirely on your Madhab. If you follow the Hanafi school — as the vast majority of South Asian, Turkish and Central Asian Muslims do — all gold jewellery including pieces worn daily is zakatable. If you follow the Hanbali, Shafi'i or Maliki school, gold jewellery worn regularly for personal adornment is exempt and only stored or investment gold triggers Zakat. Our calculator handles both positions through the Madhab selector at the top of the calculation panel.