QA-ID-0035
QUESTION
My question is regarding the zakaat date.
After becoming sahibe nisaab first on 12 jamaldiul aqir in 2017, I paid my first zakaat in 2018 after waiting for 1 islamic year on 12 of jamaldiul aqir in 2018.
- I did so for 2 consecutive years and then I had a wish to take out zakaat in Ramadan to gain more sawab.
- So what I did was in 2020 instead of calculating saving on 12 of jamaldiul aqir I waited for 2 additional month included my additional salaries and all other savings until 7th Ramzan and payed zakaat for a total 14 months that year in 2020. And since then I am paying zakaat on 7th of every Ramadan each year.
My question are 2:
- Was it right for me to do that (change my zakaat date by calculating for 14 months Instead of 12) in 2020. If not what should I do now?
- Mostly the difference in terms of my saving between 2 dates was not huge plus I always kept some additional buffer in zakaat amount too.
-However this year around it has made a huge difference as on 12 th jamaldiul aqir I had 20k savings but at the end of Rajab I invested that money in purchasing a share in land in india and so I no longer have it. So on 7th ramzan in 2024 the major portion of my saving is gone and the zakaat amount is coming up to be very less. Which kind of makes me uncomfortable. Wanted to seeks your guidance on this matter.
ANSWER
﷽
It is not acceptable to alter your annual zakāt date, as this marks the point when zakāt becomes obligatory to pay, and your zakātable assets are assessed on this specific day. Given that 12 Jumād al-Ākhirah is your zakāt date, it is obligatory for you to calculate zakāt on all zakātable assets present on that date each year.
Your action in 2020, where you delayed paying zakāt for two months, is sinful, as delaying zakāt payment after the zakāt year has ended is considered sinful according to the strongest position in the Hanafī school. You must revisit your records back to 12 Jumād al-Ākhirah 2020 to ensure the accuracy of the zakāt amount payable. If there is any discrepancy, it must be calculated and the zakāt amount paid immediately.
Regarding your situation this year:
As you mentioned having 20,000 on 12 Jumād al-Ākhirah, which you had invested elsewhere by Rajab, you must include this 20,000 and any other zakātable assets you possessed on 12 Jumād al-Ākhirah, and pay zakāt on it, as this is your zakāt date.
Regarding your intention to pay zakāt in Ramadān for more reward, keep in mind:
Delaying zakāt beyond the zakāt year date is sinful. You cannot pay your zakāt in Ramadān if it is due before Ramadān.
If you wish to pay zakāt in Ramadān 2024, you can estimate your zakātable assets on 12 Jumād al-Ākhirah 2025 (your zakāt year end date next year) and give zakāt on this amount during the current Ramadān. This is considered to be giving zakāt in advance of the zakāt date, which is permissible. Then, on 12 Jumād al-Ākhirah 2025, you should review the total calculation you used in your estimate and the zakāt amount paid to ensure accuracy. If more is required to be paid, it should be paid accordingly on that date. You can do this each year.
والله تعالى أعلم
And Allāh Knows Best
Muhammad Kalim Misbahi
