Ramadan 2026 Financial Checklist: 7 Things Every Muslim Should Do

Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, but it is also the most common time for Muslims to fulfill their financial obligations. Here is a practical checklist of seven financial tasks to complete during Ramadan 2026.

1. Calculate Your Zakat al-Mal

Zakat al-mal (zakat on wealth) is the most important financial obligation during Ramadan for many Muslims. If your total wealth exceeds the nisab threshold (approximately 612.36g of silver in value), you owe 2.5% of your qualifying wealth. Many Muslims choose to pay during Ramadan because rewards for good deeds are multiplied during this blessed month.

Use the Zakat Calculator to calculate your exact obligation across cash, gold, silver, investments, and other assets.

2. Screen Your Investment Portfolio

Company financials change every quarter, which means a stock that was Shariah-compliant last year may no longer pass the AAOIFI screening criteria. Ramadan is an excellent time to review your entire portfolio and ensure all holdings remain compliant.

Use the Halal Stock Screener to check any stock against the AAOIFI 30/30/5 standard. Screen multiple stocks at once to save time.

3. Calculate Purification on Mixed Stocks

Even stocks that pass Shariah screening may have a small percentage of non-permissible income (under 5% of revenue). The purification (tazkiyah) process requires you to calculate this proportion and donate it to charity. This cleanses your investment returns from any trace of impermissible income.

Review the non-permissible income ratio for each of your holdings and donate the corresponding percentage of your dividends or capital gains.

4. Pay Zakat al-Fitr Before Eid

Zakat al-fitr (also called fitrana) is a separate obligation from zakat al-mal. It must be paid before the Eid al-Fitr prayer on March 19, 2026. It is obligatory on every Muslim -- adults and children alike -- and the head of the household typically pays on behalf of all dependents.

Use the Fitrana Calculator to determine the correct amount per person based on local food prices.

5. Review Your Estate Plan

Ramadan is a time of heightened spiritual awareness, making it an ideal time to reflect on estate planning. Every Muslim should have an Islamic will (wasiyyah) that distributes their estate according to Faraid (Quranic inheritance law). Without one, your estate may be distributed according to secular laws that do not align with Islamic requirements.

Use the Islamic Will Generator to create a jurisdiction-specific will, and the Inheritance Calculator to understand how your estate would be divided among your heirs.

6. Calculate Zakat on Gold and Crypto

Gold jewellery and cryptocurrency are two commonly overlooked zakatable assets. If you own gold above the nisab of 87.48 grams, zakat is due on it (with scholarly differences regarding worn jewellery). Similarly, the majority of scholars hold that cryptocurrency is zakatable at 2.5% of its current market value.

Use the Gold Zakat Calculator and the Crypto Zakat Calculator to calculate your obligations on these assets.

7. Plan Your Charitable Giving

Beyond obligatory zakat, Ramadan is the best time for voluntary charity (sadaqah). The Prophet (peace be upon him) was described as the most generous of people, and he was most generous during Ramadan. Consider setting up recurring donations throughout the month to maximize your giving.

For those looking for lasting impact, consider contributing to a waqf (Islamic endowment). A waqf is a form of sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity) where the principal is preserved and the returns are used for charitable purposes indefinitely. This is one of the most rewarding forms of giving in Islam, as the reward continues even after death.