✦ Ruling and Sharʿi Status of Paying Zakāh in Advance ✦
If someone regularly pays Zakāh in the month of Ramadan, but in a particular year, they pay the full amount before Ramadan, and later some deserving individuals come seeking help,
can this person pay them from the Zakāh of the upcoming year? What is the Sharʿi ruling?
Shaykh ʿAbd al-Wakeel Nāṣir حفظه الله
✔ It is permissible in Sharīʿah to pay Zakāh in advance.
✔ If someone chooses to pay Zakāh before a full lunar year completes, there is no harm or restriction in doing so.
◈ Although some books of Fiqh mention the one-year (ḥawl) condition, this is stated as a general principle, not a rigid restriction.
◈ A person may:
✔ This flexibility is rooted in ease and compassion provided by Sharīʿah.
If a person has already paid this year’s Zakāh, and later a needy individual comes,
they may give from next year’s Zakāh, and it will count toward that obligation.
✔ Paying Zakāh in advance is Sharʿi-valid.
✔ One may pay a portion or full amount of upcoming years’ Zakāh.
✔ There is no prohibition in assisting deserving individuals from future Zakāh funds.
والله أعلم بالصواب
❖ Question:
If someone regularly pays Zakāh in the month of Ramadan, but in a particular year, they pay the full amount before Ramadan, and later some deserving individuals come seeking help,
can this person pay them from the Zakāh of the upcoming year? What is the Sharʿi ruling?
❖ Answer by:
Shaykh ʿAbd al-Wakeel Nāṣir حفظه الله
✔ It is permissible in Sharīʿah to pay Zakāh in advance.
✔ If someone chooses to pay Zakāh before a full lunar year completes, there is no harm or restriction in doing so.
❖ Key Sharʿi Points:
◈ Although some books of Fiqh mention the one-year (ḥawl) condition, this is stated as a general principle, not a rigid restriction.
◈ A person may:
Pay Zakāh one year in advance- Even two years or more in advance, if desired
- Give to the poor from next year’s Zakāh, if a need arises
✔ This flexibility is rooted in ease and compassion provided by Sharīʿah.
❖ Practical Application:
If a person has already paid this year’s Zakāh, and later a needy individual comes,
they may give from next year’s Zakāh, and it will count toward that obligation.
❖ Conclusion:
✔ Paying Zakāh in advance is Sharʿi-valid.
✔ One may pay a portion or full amount of upcoming years’ Zakāh.
✔ There is no prohibition in assisting deserving individuals from future Zakāh funds.
والله أعلم بالصواب
