A fatwa from the Chechen Muftiate has sparked debate about the amount of wealth required to pay zakat.

The minimum amount of wealth on which Muslims are required to pay interest on alms during Ramadan is 127,700 rubles, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Chechnya stated. Social media users debated what income is included in the nisab amount.

As "Caucasian Knot" reported, prices are rising again before the month of Ramadan in both markets and stores, social media users pointed out in early February. They noted that food prices published by the official Chechen newspaper do not correspond to reality. Chechen authorities' reports on food price controls have had virtually no impact on the situation in stores and markets, users noted. Low-income residents of Grozny, including pensioners and teachers, reported that they are struggling to find money for groceries at the start of Ramadan amid rising prices. Residents of rural areas have an easier time affording food, but prices for basic items in local stores have also increased.

On March 2, the Fatwa Department of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Chechnya updated the amount of nisab (zakat)—the minimum property or wealth from which a Muslim is obligated to pay alms (zakat) during Ramadan. The Muftiate recalled that the nisab is calculated based on the market value of precious metals and cited the current amount of nisab in silver (585 grams). This figure is multiplied by the value of one gram of silver according to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.

“As of March 2, 2026, the nisab of zakat is 127,700 rubles. Reminder: the nisab must be updated regularly, as it depends on the current price of precious metals,” the Muftiate’s Telegram channel stated.

A year earlier, on January 8, 2025, the Muftiate of Chechnya published the amount of nisab in silver and gold (85 grams). At that time, the ruble equivalent of 595 grams of gold was 60,000 rubles, and 85 grams of gold was 774,000 rubles. “After one year, zakat of 2.5 percent is paid on this amount,” the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Chechnya explained at the time.

A post about the current zakat amount on the Instagram page grozny_inform* garnered 50 comments in eight hours. Commenters discussed practical aspects of calculating the obligatory alms—specifically, whether wages or other monthly income are included in the nisab.

“Is this the monthly salary?” asked user graf890098. "No, you must have this amount for the lunar year. If the amount decreases during this time, zakat is not taxed; if it increases again after a decrease, the year starts over," explained revers005.

"You don't have to pay with money, but you do with gold and silver. There are many subtleties. Everyone must decide for themselves whether they need it or not," added m_ilyes2000.  

"For about a year now, my monthly income has been 135,000, and my main income goes toward building a house. If I accumulate a stable amount but also spend it on building a house, then am I subject to zakat? By the way, this income is a salary, not money from a business," asked m_a_brz009. "No, it doesn't. The amount on which zakat is due must remain in your possession for exactly one year," khamchiev_s_m explained in response.

"If the amount of money you owned during one lunar year reached or exceeded the nisab (127,700 rubles), you are required to pay 2.5% of that amount as zakat. The formula for calculating zakat is: Amount * 2.5% = zakat," explained khamzat_mukhtarov.

"With my income, I can't, unfortunately. I don't have any," wrote user an_dzu. "Look carefully at what's written. If your annual income is at least this amount, then you are obligated to pay zakat," said user omdbyika. Another user countered:

"You misunderstood. If this amount sits with you for a year (by the way, there are also questions about the amount, such as why they calculate it in silver and not gold) and does not fall below the nisab, then paying zakat is obligatory. In your understanding, an income of 13,000 a month obligates you to pay zakat," noted azamat_abu_usman.

In March 2025, the Chechen Muftiate also announced the amount of zakat al-fitr, it was 100 rubles. The same amount of zakat was established in 2025 in Kabardino-Balkaria.

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that social media users called official raids on stores and markets in Chechnya due to rising prices during Ramadan useless, noting that official reports do not contribute to price reductions.

"We were at the Berkat market with the kids, and the prices were simply horrific. A kilo of meat was 800 rubles, minced meat 850. Peeled and unpeeled wild garlic cost 500 and 250 rubles per kilo, respectively. The kids were hungry, and some asked for a pie, some for a cutlet for a snack. And here again, it was shocking. A regular potato pie from street vendors costs 35 rubles, and a cutlet is 80 rubles each. This is simply outrageous. To my indignation, one of the vendors said that her cutlets were expensive because "Meat and minced meat have become more expensive. Moreover, all the sellers explain the price hike by saying that "everything has gone up in price at wholesalers." And no raids or inspections by security forces, clergy, or local officials will correct this situation," wrote a reader of the "Caucasian Knot" with the nickname melva.