Sin of Delaying Zakat Payment and Its Shar‘i Ruling

Shar‘i Ruling on Delaying Zakat and Its Consequences​

Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām

The Question:​

A man has not paid zakat for four consecutive years. What is the ruling in such a case, and what must he do now?

Answer:​

Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā ba‘d:

Ruling on Delay:​

• Delaying zakat payment after it becomes due is a sin.
• In this case, the man who delayed for four years is sinful for this postponement.

Shar‘i Principle:​

• Once zakat becomes obligatory, it must be paid immediately.
• The general rule for all wājib acts in Sharī‘ah is that they should not be delayed without a valid excuse.

What Must Be Done:​

1. Repentance:
   
   • He must sincerely repent to Allah ﷻ for delaying this obligation.
2. Immediate Payment:
   
   • He must pay all outstanding zakat for the past four years without further delay.
3. No Expiry:
   
   • Zakat does not lapse with time; delaying only increases the sin until it is paid.

Conclusion:
Delaying zakat after it becomes due is sinful. The person must repent and immediately pay all missed zakat to clear his obligation and avoid further sin.


وَالله أعلم بالصواب