Zakat FAQ

• How do I know if I have to pay zakat?

The nisab (the nisab is the minimum amount of accumulated wealth) of gold (which we use in Seville Mosque Foundation) is 5.380€ on 5/06/2024.
This means that if at any time during the year you have exceeded this amount of accumulated wealth and you have remained above it for a year, once a year has passed since the date on which you have exceeded this amount, you are obliged to pay 2.5% Zakat on it.
Zakat is 2.5% of the total amount of wealth that can be calculated monetarily, as long as the nisab is exceeded.
The nisab, or minimum amount, is the equivalent of 85 grams of gold (20 gold dinars) or 595 grams of silver (200 silver dirhams) in the local currency (this would be equivalent to 5,380 in gold and 476 in silver, as of 5/06/2024).
This minimum amount of wealth must have been held for one year. According to the consensus, the nisab will be calculated in gold, therefore the minimum amount to be valued in local currency is stipulated at 5.380€.
If you have possession of gold or silver the nisab is half a dinar for every 20 and 5 dirhams for every 200, or its equivalent in grams.
In short, if you have 5,380 euros or more in an account or cash for a year you have to pay 2.5% of Zakat.
For example, if between your savings in an account and your cash, in addition to any other form of financial asset, minus your obligations, you have had during one year without touching, a total of 5.380€ ( the minimum established on 5/06/2024) you will have to pay 134,5€. To make the accounting of assets that are subject to Zakat and see whether or not to pay it and what amount, you can contact us and we will make you a personal advice.

• How do I know if I have to receive zakat?

If you belong or think you belong to one of the 8 categories that are entitled to receive Zakat you can contact us.
Generally, if you have financial difficulties and do not have to pay Zakat, you can be a Zakat recipient.

• How do I pay zakat?

The first thing is to be clear about your assets and the amount you have to pay.
For that you have to take into account different sources of income and assets.
For a personalized advice please contact us.
Once you have stipulated whether you are obliged to pay the Zakat and the amount, you can give it to the Seville Mosque Foundation, which will distribute it among the stipulated categories.

• What do I do to receive Zakat?

If you think you are entitled to receive Zakat, please contact us and we will evaluate your case and if you fall into one of the stipulated categories.
If the result is positive and there are Zakat funds available, and depending on these, you will be given an amount.
If there are not, you will be added to the database and as soon as there are and depending on the priority of the categories, you will be notified to make delivery.

• Why pay Zakat to FMS?

The Seville Mosque Foundation has implemented this system to collect and deliver the Zakat whose sole purpose is to provide a service to Muslims, enabling those who have to pay it to fulfill their obligation and those who have the right to receive it to do so.
We are committed to prioritize above all the locality when receiving and delivering Zakat, especially when delivering it, since in our communities there are many people who need it and it is a way to energize and empower the local community.
In addition, Seville Mosque Foundation strives for a policy of total transparency in everything it does, especially with regard to Zakat.
All our accounts concerning the collection and delivery of Zakat will be made public.

• What does FMS do with Zakat?

The Seville Mosque Foundation distributes Zakat to anyone who falls into one of the stipulated categories that can receive it regardless of their origin, affiliation, etc., as long as they meet the requirements to receive it and giving priority to the locality when distributing it.

• How does FMS distribute Zakat?

Fundación Mezquita de Sevilla maintains an open registration database with all the people who have contacted us to receive Zakat and who meet the requirements for it.
When Zakat funds are available, they are distributed among these people, or others who request it and also meet the requirements.
This is always done in order of priority by need and date of registration.

• To whom does FMS distribute zakat?

The Seville Mosque Foundation distributes Zakat to anyone who requests it as long as they fall into one of the categories stipulated in the Qur’an and funds are available.

• Is Zakat and Sadaqa the same thing?

Zakat and Sadaqa are not the same.
Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam and is an obligation for every Muslim who fulfills the requirements, it has a concrete form and specific parameters, just like Salat or fasting.
On the other hand, Sadaqa is a voluntary donation that can be made as much as one wants and in the form one prefers – a smile is also Sadaqa.
Although both are aimed at helping the needy and energizing the movement of wealth in society, Zakat is a right of the recipient while Sadaqa is a generosity of the giver.