Delaying zakat after it becomes due is not allowed without a valid excuse. Zakat should be paid as soon as the lunar year completes, and withholding or delaying it after that is one of the grave sins, according to Islamweb. Valid excuses include having no rightful recipients at hand, being unable to reach them, or not having the money at that time. Anyone who delayed without an excuse must still pay, even after many years.
- You may not delay zakat when you are able to pay it.
- A short delay of about two days is allowed for an excuse.
- Travel is not an excuse if you can appoint someone to pay for you.
- You may not pay in installments after it is due if you can pay all at once.
What Is the Ruling on Delaying Zakat?
The default is to pay immediately when the year completes. A person who delays without a valid excuse bears a sin for the delay and remains obliged to pay, including for all past years. If you cannot work out the past amounts exactly, estimate what most likely clears the obligation. To find when zakat falls due, read When to Pay Zakat.
What Excuses Allow You to Delay Zakat?
Islamweb quotes the Permanent Committee for Iftaa’: delay after the lunar year completes is impermissible except for a valid excuse, such as:
- A lack of rightful recipients when it becomes due.
- Inability to deliver it to them.
- Not having the money at the time.
If there are no recipients where you live, send it to eligible Muslims in other countries, as an Islamweb fatwa (in Arabic) advises.
Can You Delay Zakat Until Ramadan?
Only if the delay is very short, for example when your year ends in the second half of Sha’ban, according to the same fatwa (in Arabic). Paying early, on the other hand, is allowed by most scholars. So if you want to pay in Ramadan, bring the payment forward to Ramadan rather than holding it back.
Can You Pay Zakat in Installments?
Not after it is due, as long as you can pay all at once. If a valid reason stops you from paying the full amount, pay what you have and the rest once it is available. Before the year completes, spreading payments counts as paying early. If you save from your salary, see Zakat on Monthly Salary.
Is Travel an Excuse to Delay Zakat?
No. Travel does not permit delaying zakat beyond its due time, according to an Islamweb fatwa (in Arabic). It depends on where the money is:
- The money is with you: pay on time.
- The money is elsewhere: pay yourself or appoint someone to pay for you.
- You cannot find anyone to appoint: you may wait until you return, then pay.
Delaying Zakat: Quick Answers
Can I delay zakat by two days?
Yes, a short delay is allowed for an excuse.
Can I delay zakat until Ramadan?
Only if the delay is very short, such as a year ending in the second half of Sha’ban.
Can I pay zakat in installments?
Not after it is due if you can pay all at once.
Must I pay zakat for past years?
Yes, for all the years you did not pay, even after a long delay.
Is your zakat due? Pay it now
