Zakat According to the Hanafi Madhab

Learn about Zakat rules according to the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence. This guide covers nisab thresholds, jewelry exemptions, debt deductions, and how Zakat is calculated differently from other madhabs.

Founded by Imam Abu Hanifa (d. 150 AH / 767 CE)

About the Hanafi School

Most widely followed school (~30% of Muslims). Most conservative approach to Zakat: includes all jewelry, uses silver nisab for cash.

Key Differences in Zakat

✓Zakat due on ALL gold/silver jewelry whether worn or stored
✓Uses silver nisab for cash (lower threshold = more people pay)
✓Debts due within 12 months are deductible
✓Gold and silver values can be combined to reach nisab

Countries Following Hanafi Madhab

Scholarly Sources

Jewelry ruling:: Al-Hidaya (al-Marghinani), Kitab al-Zakat. Based on the hadith of Umm Salama (Abu Dawud) and the hadith of Aisha (Bayhaqi 4:140)
Debt deductions:: Badai' al-Sanai' (al-Kasani). Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya
Nisab basis:: Standard Hanafi position: silver nisab for currencies. Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin)