Zakat is due when the Hawl is complete, that is, when a full lunar year passes on wealth that has reached the Nisab while it is yours. You may pay it early, before the year is complete, as long as your wealth has reached the Nisab, but you may not delay it after the year ends without an excuse, even to pay it in Ramadan. This is the summary of what Islamweb sets out in its ruling on delaying Zakat until Ramadan and other fatwas cited below.
- Zakat falls due when a full lunar year passes on wealth that reached the Nisab.
- The year is counted by the Hijri (lunar) calendar, not the Gregorian one.
- Most scholars allow paying Zakat before the year ends, but not before the Nisab is reached.
- Delaying it after the year ends needs an excuse, and waiting for Ramadan is not one.
- You may appoint a trustworthy organisation to pay your Zakat for you.
When Is Zakat Due?
Zakat is due on wealth when two conditions meet: it reaches the Nisab, and a full lunar year passes from the day it reached the Nisab. Once the year is complete, Zakat should be paid that day. To learn the Nisab of wealth, read the Nisab of wealth Zakat, and for gold read how to calculate Zakat on gold.
Is the Zakat Year Counted by the Hijri or Gregorian Calendar?
The Zakat year is counted by lunar months, not by the Gregorian calendar. The lunar year is shorter, so paying Zakat in the same Gregorian month every year means paying it late. Note the Hijri date on which your wealth reached the Nisab and make it your Zakat date every year.
Can You Pay Zakat Early?
Yes. Most scholars allow paying Zakat before the year is complete, especially when there is a benefit, such as an urgent need among those entitled to it. Their evidence is that the Prophet ﷺ allowed Al-Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) to pay his Zakat early. The Maliki scholars allow it only about a month before the year ends. All scholars agree that Zakat cannot be paid early before the wealth reaches the Nisab.
Can You Delay Zakat until Ramadan?
No. If your Zakat year ends in Rajab, for example, pay it in Rajab, because waiting for Ramadan is not an excuse that allows delaying Zakat. If you want to pay it in Ramadan before your year ends, that is paying early, which is allowed. What counts is your Zakat date, not the month.
In principle, whoever owes Zakat and is able to pay it may not delay it, though a short delay to give it to someone in greater need is allowed.
How Do You Pay Zakat on Your Wealth?
Zakat on cash, gold, silver and trade goods is a quarter of a tenth, which is 2.5% of the wealth once it reaches the Nisab and a lunar year passes. The easy way to calculate it is to divide your wealth by 40. For example, if a year passes on QAR 80,000, the Zakat is 80,000 ÷ 40 = QAR 2,000.
Can Zakat Be Paid in Another Country or through an Agent?
It is better to pay Zakat in the country where the wealth is, and the stronger view allows moving it to another country for a need or benefit, such as relatives in need there, or people in greater need. Appointing an agent to pay Zakat is allowed without disagreement, provided the agent is trustworthy.
You can appoint Qatar Charity to pay your Zakat through the Zakat page on its website, so it reaches eligible people in Qatar and abroad. To learn who may receive Zakat, read the eight categories of Zakat.
Zakat Timing: Paying Early, Delay and the Hijri Year
When should Zakat be paid?
When a full lunar year passes on wealth that reached the Nisab, and it may be paid earlier.
Must Zakat be paid in Ramadan?
No. Zakat is paid when its year ends, in any month, and it may not be delayed after that to wait for Ramadan.
Can Zakat be paid early?
Yes, according to most scholars, provided the wealth has reached the Nisab.
Is the Zakat year Hijri or Gregorian?
Hijri, because the Zakat year is counted by lunar months.
Can Zakat be paid in another country?
It is better in the country of the wealth, and it may be moved for a need or benefit, such as relatives in need or people in greater need.
Is your Zakat due? Pay your Zakat now through Qatar Charity
