Proper Timing for Giving Zakat and Charity in Ramadan
Source: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd:
➊ Charity (ṣadaqah) is not restricted to the month of Ramadan.
Rather, it is a commendable and legislated act throughout the year.
➋ Zakat becomes obligatory when a full lunar year has passed over the qualifying wealth.
Once the year is complete, zakat must be paid immediately — there is no requirement to wait for Ramadan.
➌ If the zakat year completes during Sha‘bān, then waiting until Ramadan is permissible.
➍ However, if the zakat year completes in Muḥarram or any earlier month, it is not permissible to delay payment until Ramadan.
➎ On the other hand, it is permissible to pay zakat in advance, such as paying during Ramadan even before the zakat becomes due in Muḥarram.
➏ Once zakat becomes obligatory, delaying its payment is not allowed, because:
✔ Obligatory acts that are tied to a specific cause must be fulfilled as soon as the cause is present.
✔ There is no guarantee the person will live until the time they intended to delay it to.
✔ If he dies and the heirs are unaware of the zakat obligation, it may never be fulfilled, resulting in the failure of this obligation.
✔ Delaying zakat can thus lead to numerous issues and hinder proper fulfillment.
➐ As for general charity (ṣadaqah), there is no fixed time for it.
One may give charity any day of the year.
➑ People often choose to give zakat and charity during Ramadan because:
✔ Ramadan is a month of generosity and giving.
✔ The Prophet ﷺ was known for being the most generous of people, and during Ramadan — when Jibrīl (عليه السلام) would visit him for the Qur’an — his generosity would increase immensely.
➒ It is essential to recognize that the virtue of giving zakat or charity in Ramadan lies in the virtue of the time itself.
➓ However, if there are more urgent circumstances, such as pressing needs of the poor, delaying zakat until Ramadan is not correct.
✔ Zakat should be paid at the time it is most needed.
✔ Often, the poor are in greater need outside of Ramadan, since Ramadan usually brings an influx of charity, allowing them to manage better.
✔ During the rest of the year, their needs increase and resources diminish.
Therefore, it is important to consider actual need over timing and not prioritize the virtue of the month over the necessity of the poor.
ھٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Source: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
❀ Are Zakat and Charitable Donations Limited to Ramadan?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd:
❖ Charity Is Not Restricted to Ramadan
➊ Charity (ṣadaqah) is not restricted to the month of Ramadan.
Rather, it is a commendable and legislated act throughout the year.
➋ Zakat becomes obligatory when a full lunar year has passed over the qualifying wealth.
Once the year is complete, zakat must be paid immediately — there is no requirement to wait for Ramadan.
❖ If Ramadan Is Close
➌ If the zakat year completes during Sha‘bān, then waiting until Ramadan is permissible.
➍ However, if the zakat year completes in Muḥarram or any earlier month, it is not permissible to delay payment until Ramadan.
➎ On the other hand, it is permissible to pay zakat in advance, such as paying during Ramadan even before the zakat becomes due in Muḥarram.
❖ No Delay After Zakat Becomes Due
➏ Once zakat becomes obligatory, delaying its payment is not allowed, because:
✔ Obligatory acts that are tied to a specific cause must be fulfilled as soon as the cause is present.
✔ There is no guarantee the person will live until the time they intended to delay it to.
✔ If he dies and the heirs are unaware of the zakat obligation, it may never be fulfilled, resulting in the failure of this obligation.
✔ Delaying zakat can thus lead to numerous issues and hinder proper fulfillment.
❖ No Fixed Time for Charity
➐ As for general charity (ṣadaqah), there is no fixed time for it.
One may give charity any day of the year.
➑ People often choose to give zakat and charity during Ramadan because:
✔ Ramadan is a month of generosity and giving.
✔ The Prophet ﷺ was known for being the most generous of people, and during Ramadan — when Jibrīl (عليه السلام) would visit him for the Qur’an — his generosity would increase immensely.
❖ Consider the Needs of the Poor
➒ It is essential to recognize that the virtue of giving zakat or charity in Ramadan lies in the virtue of the time itself.
➓ However, if there are more urgent circumstances, such as pressing needs of the poor, delaying zakat until Ramadan is not correct.
✔ Zakat should be paid at the time it is most needed.
✔ Often, the poor are in greater need outside of Ramadan, since Ramadan usually brings an influx of charity, allowing them to manage better.
✔ During the rest of the year, their needs increase and resources diminish.
Therefore, it is important to consider actual need over timing and not prioritize the virtue of the month over the necessity of the poor.
ھٰذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
