❖ How to Pay Missed Zakāh According to Previous Years’ Gold/Silver Rates ❖
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Volume 3 – Chapter: Fasting, Ṣadaqat al-Fiṭr, and Zakāh, Page 155
❀ Question:
If someone has possessed gold or silver in a zakāh-applicable amount for the past three or four lunar years, but failed to pay zakāh during those years—and now, after realizing the importance of this obligation, wishes to pay it—
should they calculate it based on current market rates or the rates from the missed years?
✔ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
❖ The Method for Paying Missed Zakāh:
To fulfill zakāh obligations correctly for missed years, the following steps should be taken:
➊ Zakāh for the Current Year:
Zakāh for the current year must be calculated and paid according to the present market value of gold or silver.
➋ Zakāh for Missed Years:
Zakāh for each missed lunar year must be paid according to the gold or silver rates of that specific year.
▶ For example:
- If you missed zakāh in 1442 AH, calculate the gold/silver price of that year and pay 2.5% accordingly.
- Repeat this for each missed lunar year individually.
➌ Sincere Tawbah (Repentance) and Istighfār (Seeking Forgiveness):
It is essential to sincerely repent in your heart for having neglected a farḍ (obligatory) duty, and to seek Allah’s forgiveness.
Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
❖ Important Note: Use the
Zakāh is calculated based on the Islamic (Hijrī) calendar—not the Gregorian (solar) calendar.
- A Hijrī year begins with Muḥarram and ends with Dhū al-Ḥijjah.
- Do not use the solar year to calculate zakāh dues.
- This is because, over 36 solar years, there’s roughly a one-year difference in zakāh accumulation when compared to the lunar year.
▶ Hence, zakāh based on the lunar calendar is shorter in cycle and religiously accurate.
✅ Summary:
- Current year’s zakāh → pay by today’s rates.
- Previous years’ zakāh → calculate based on that year’s market value.
- Use Hijrī dates, not Gregorian.
- Repent sincerely for past negligence.
هٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
