Residents of Chechnya explained their inability to pay zakat by a lack of savings.
Chechnya's believers admitted that due to everyday expenses, they are unable to save enough to pay the religious tax during Ramadan.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," the Chechen Muftiate updated the amount of nisab—the minimum property or wealth from which a Muslim is required to pay alms (zakat) during Ramadan—on March 2. As of March 2, it was 127,700 rubles (the value of 595 grams of silver at the Central Bank exchange rate).
The nisab depends on the current price of precious metals. In January 2025, the Chechen Muftiate published the amount of nisab in silver (595 grams) and gold (85 grams). At that time, the ruble equivalent of 595 grams of silver was 60,000 rubles, and 85 grams of gold was 774,000 rubles. "After a year, zakat of 2.5 percent is paid on this amount," the Spiritual Administration of Muslims explained at the time. Assessing the amount of property for zakat payment based on the value of silver eliminates the risk of believers becoming indebted to the Almighty, Islamic scholars pointed out. Zakat is paid not on the entire savings, but on what exceeds a Muslim's daily needs, they explained.
A resident of Ramazan Chechnya told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that he is building a house and has had no savings for a year.
"I earn about 80-100 thousand a month, but all the money goes on building materials, workers, and equipment. A year ago, I started saving for a foundation, saved 150 thousand, but three months later I spent it on concrete and rebar. Then I saved again, saved 200 thousand in six months, but again spent it on building materials. So, I periodically have more than 127 thousand, but it doesn't sit around for a year; it's put to use right away." "If I understand correctly, I don't have to pay zakat," he said.
The man noted that if his regular savings exceed 130,000 rubles, he will definitely pay zakat. "When I finish building my house, then my savings for the year, I really hope, will be more than 150,000. Then, as I understand it, I'll have to pay zakat. And I don't mind," Ramazan added.
In Chechnya, the average accrued salary for 2025, according to Rosstat, ranged from 43,400 to 51,900 rubles per month. At the same time, the salaries of certain categories of public sector employees, such as teachers and medical workers, are usually below the regional average and significantly below the Russian average, an associate professor in the Department of Economic Theory at Chechen State University told the Caucasian Knot in December 2025.
Chechnya resident and English tutor Malika is confident that she doesn't have to pay zakat.
By the end of the month, I usually have 5-7,000 rubles left.
"My salary is 45,000 rubles a month, which comes out to about 540,000 rubles a year. But I don't keep all my money at home; I pay for utilities and groceries. By the end of the month, I usually have 5-7,000 rubles left, which I put aside for a rainy day. "It's 60,000-80,000 a year, maximum. It means I'm below the nisab and shouldn't pay zakat," she told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
Low-income residents of Grozny, including pensioners and teachers, said that they're struggling to find money for groceries at the start of Ramadan amid rising prices. Residents of rural areas have an easier time finding food, but prices for basic groceries in local stores have also risen.
Earned - spent on family, gasoline, groceries.
38-year-old Grozny resident Khamzat admitted he doesn't know how to correctly calculate zakat. "Honestly, I don't fully understand how to calculate this zakat correctly. They talk about amounts over 100,000 rubles, and that I should have it for a year, but that's not how it works for me. I earn it and spend it on my family, on gas, on groceries. I earn about 50-60,000 a month, but by the end of the month, I usually have nothing left. It's all gone. So, I never have 100,000 sitting around for a whole year. So, do I not have to pay zakat? Or should I add up everything I earned for the year, and if it's over 100,000, then pay it?" he shared his difficulties with a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
According to Khamzat, he's embarrassed to go to the mosque to get a clear answer to this question. "Some say that income is calculated for the year, others say it should be one amount that isn't touched for a year. I don't even know who to ask for clarification. "I'm embarrassed to go to the mosque, afraid they'll say I should have paid a long time ago, but I haven't. It would be easier if the muftiate gave clear instructions. It turns out that everyone decides for themselves," he complained.
As a reminder, during Ramadan, Muslims must abstain from food and drink during daylight hours. The annual religious tax among Muslims (zakat al-fitr) is collected from each adult family member on the day of the end of Ramadan and is intended for almsgiving during the holiday of Eid al-Fitr (also known as Eid al-Fitr).
This year in Chechnya, as well as Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia, the first day of the month of Ramadan and fasting was announced February 18.
In Chechnya, March 19, 20 and 21 have been declared non-working days in connection with the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha.