Is Zakat Applicable to Money Saved for Performing Hajj?

Zakat applies to money saved for Hajj if it meets certain conditions. Here's a breakdown of the key points:

• Zakat on savings: If the money you have saved for Hajj has been in your possession for a full lunar year and meets the nisab, Zakat is due on it.
• Debt deductions: Deduct any outstanding Hajj-related debts, like booking payments, from your total before calculating Zakat.
• Quotation vs. final cost: A price quotation for a future Hajj package is not deductible, as the final cost may change. Only the actual, confirmed expenses are relevant to the Zakat calculation.
• Subsequent Hajj: If this is not your first Hajj, the future expenses should not be deducted from your Zakatable assets.
• Combining savings: The money saved for Hajj should be added to your other wealth. If the total amount exceeds the Zakat nisab and a full lunar year has passed, Zakat is due on the entire sum.

As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

"Islam is built upon five pillars: testifying that there is no true god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; performing Prayer; paying the Zakah; making Hajj to the Sacred House; and fasting in the month of Ramadan."

(Al-Bukhari)

Zakat is obligatory and comes before Hajj, meaning it must be paid whenever your assets reach the nisab, including money saved for the pilgrimage. Zakat remains a priority before fulfilling other religious obligations like Hajj.

And Allah knows best!

Other Zakat Questions You May Have

• Is Zakat Required on a Cheque?
• Does Earned Interest Affect Missed Zakat Payments?
• Is Zakat Due on Funds Donated to a Waqf?
• Are Gift Cards with Cash Balances Subject to Zakat?
• Why is Zakat Required on Paper Money?
• Is Zakat Required on Money Stored in a Bank Account?