Purification vs Zakat

Purification and zakat are sometimes confused, but they are two distinct obligations with different purposes.

Zakat

Zakat is a pillar of Islam — an annual obligation to give 2.5% of qualifying wealth to specific categories of recipients. It applies to all Muslims whose wealth exceeds the nisab for a full year. Zakat is calculated on your total qualifying wealth, regardless of how that wealth was earned.

Purification (Tazkiyah)

Purification is specifically about cleansing investment returns from impermissible income. When a Sharia-compliant stock earns a small percentage (under 5%) of its revenue from impermissible sources, that tainted portion of your returns needs to be donated to charity.

Key Differences

	Zakat	Purification
Basis	Total qualifying wealth	Impermissible portion of investment returns
Rate	2.5% of total	Matches the impermissible revenue percentage
Recipients	Specific zakat-eligible categories	General charity
Frequency	Annual	When dividends or gains are received

Both Apply

If you hold Sharia-compliant stocks, both obligations may apply simultaneously. Calculate and fulfill each one independently.