Can zakat be paid in advance or in monthly instalments?
The question as asked, details removedInstead of paying all my zakat at once, can I pay a bit every month before my zakat date?More
This is a sample answer written to show how the site works. It follows the standard Hanafi books, but no mufti has reviewed or signed it yet, so it is not a fatwa. For a real answer, ask a question. Ask a mufti
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِكِ الْوَهَّابِ اَللّٰهُمَّ هِدَايَةَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ
1Short answer
Yes. Someone who already owns the nisab may pay zakat before the year is complete, all at once or in instalments. At the end of the year, work out the zakat due: pay any shortfall, and any excess counts towards the next year.
2Detailed answer
Paying zakat early is valid, on one condition: you must already own the nisab when you pay. So:
- You may pay a fixed amount every month, with the intention of zakat, through the year.
- On your zakat date, calculate the zakat due on everything you own.
- If what you paid is less, pay the rest. If it is more, the extra counts as advance zakat for the next year, or as voluntary charity if you prefer.
Someone who does not yet own the nisab cannot pay zakat in advance; what they give is voluntary charity. The intention must be made at the time of giving, or when setting the money aside for zakat.
3Evidence and sources
- Sunan Abi Dawud, Book of Zakat
- Jami' al-Tirmidhi, Book of Zakat
- Al-Hidayah, Book of Zakat
Arabic texts, translations and how the ruling was derived
أن العباس سأل النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم في تعجيل صدقته قبل أن تحل، فرخص له في ذلك
Meaning: Al-Abbas asked the Prophet ﷺ about paying his zakat early, before it was due, and he allowed him to do so.
The hadith allows paying before the year is complete. Since the obligation comes from owning the nisab, the fuqaha require that the nisab already be owned at the time of paying.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَرَسُوْلُهُ أَعْلَمُ صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ