Question # 313: Assalaamualaikum Can we pay Zakah for 2 years in advance like if my Zakah is 2500 for one year can I give someone needy 5000 and be paid for 2 years?

Bismi-llahi r-raḥmani r-raḥīm,

Assalamu ‘laikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

All praise and thanks are due to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى), and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم).

Dear questioner,

First of all, we implore Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) to help us serve His cause and render our work for His sake.

Shorter Answer: According to majority of scholars, paying zakah more than a year in advance is valid, but it is only permissible for a few years; also, one should not pay zakah in advance unless it is in response to a dire need, else it is better to pay zakah when it becomes due. Nevertheless, it should be noted that if one subsequently has more zakah payable than what he paid in advance, zakah must be paid on the additional amount. Also Refer Question # 78

Long Answer: With regard to paying zakah in advance, the correct view is that it is permissible, and this is the view of the majority of scholars, but it is better not to pay zakah in advance, unless there is a reason for doing so.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: As for paying zakah before it is due, that is permissible according to the majority of scholars, such as Abu Hanifah, al-Shafi’i and Ahmad, and it is permissible to pay zakah in advance on livestock and gold and silver, and trade goods, if he owns the nisab (minimum threshold). (Majmoo’ al-Fataawa)

The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas said: There is nothing wrong with paying zakah one or two years in advance, if that will serve an interest, and giving it to the poor and needy on an annual basis. (Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Razzaaq ‘Afeefi, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allah ibn Ghadyaan; Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah)

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen said: Paying zakah more than a year in advance is valid, but it is only permissible for a few years, and it is not permissible for more than that. But one should not pay zakah in advance unless it is in response to a need such as a severe famine or jihad and the like. In that case, we say that it should be paid in advance, because there may be reason to make what is ordinarily less appropriate more appropriate, otherwise it is better not to pay zakah until it becomes due, because something could happen to his wealth of destruction and the like. Whatever the case, it should be noted that if he subsequently has more than he had when he paid in advance, zakah must be paid on the additional amount. (Fataawa al-Shaykh al-‘Uthaymeen)

(The above reply is based on answer  provided by Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid on the topic)

Allahu A’lam (Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) knows best) and all Perfections belong to Allah, and all mistakes belong to me alone. May Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) forgive me, Ameen.

Wassalaam