Can i distribute my zakat after some time from the calculation of zakat.
Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,
As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
(May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our brothers/sisters has asked
this question:
1 - My
question is that, Can i give zakat to a widow who are paying zakat every year
on her only jewelry as it is more than the nissab?
2 -
Can i distribute my zakat after some time from the calculation of zakat.
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Answer:
Distribution of
zakah
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His
help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide,
and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear
witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear
witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His
Messengers.
Q-1 - my
question is that, Can i give zakat to a widow who are paying zakat every year
on her only jewelry as it is more than the nissab?
Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 9 Surah
Taubah verse 60:
60 Alms are for the poor, and the needy, and those employed to
administer the (funds), for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled
(to the Truth), for those in bondage and in debt, in the Cause of Allah, and
for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah and Allah is full of Knowledge
and Wisdom.
Allah Subhanah has prescribed that ‘zakah’ should be paid
to any of the above eight listed categories:
Allah Subhanah has Commanded and Guided the believers that
‘Zakah’ must be distributed to any of the above absolutely vast eight
categories only; for all other categories, one may help them through voluntary
and supererogatory charity or ‘sadaqah’ but not through ‘Zakah’ funds.
If the sister widow you intend to pay from ‘zakah’ falls
in any of the above eight categories, there is absolutely no harm in helping
her from ‘zakah’ funds. There is
absolutely no such condition in Shariah that one who pays ‘zakah’ cannot be a
receipiant of other’s ‘zakah’ dues.
If the sister widow is indeed poor, or needy, or in debt,
etc….regardless of whether her own net worth is above the prescribed ‘nisaab’,
she would be eligible to receive from the ‘zakah’ funds of her believing
brethren.
Q-2: can i distribute my zakat after some time
from the calculation of zakat.
There is absolutely no condition or stipulation in Shariah
that the full amount of one’s ‘zakah’ dues must be paid at one time; what is
important is that one choose and set a date of the lunar calendar and determine
their annual ‘zakah’ from that date for a period of one year. If one wills and is convenient for them, they
may pay their full ‘zakah’ due at one time, and if one wills and/or is
convenient for them to pay their ‘zakah’ dues in installments over a period of
one calendar year, there is absolutely no harm and no sin.
Under normal situations and conditions, ‘zakah’ dues are
best paid before the completion of the calendar year regardless of whether one
chooses to pay it at the time of determination of ‘zakah’, or at a later date
during the year, or even in installments through the year….but one should
strive their utmost, if indeed they fear Allah and the Last Day, to fulfill
their ‘zakah’ obligations during the period of the calendar year.
Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only
due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only
Source of Strength.
Your brother and
well wisher in Islam,
Burhan
