Can Individuals or Zakat Collectors Delay Paying Zakat?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Is it permissible to collect Zakat from people for future use? Can I save my Zakat to use in the future?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.
Upon the fulfilment of the conditions for paying zakat, any delay in fulfilling this obligation carries two significant consequences:
One – It constitutes a transgression, as one postpones a duty beyond its designated time, thereby unjustly withholding what rightfully belongs to the recipients.
Two – The individual becomes accountable for the due zakat; its payment becomes obligatory. Even in the event of destruction or loss of any portion of the owed amount, it remains a debt for which one is held responsible.
Consequences
Consequently, should one pass away without settling this obligation, it persists as a mandatory duty to be fulfilled from the deceased’s remaining wealth, akin to other debts.
Delay By a Deputy
These ramifications also extend to a representative appointed to administer zakat. If funds are entrusted to a representative for distribution and eligible recipients are identified, it becomes imperative to disburse those funds promptly without delay.
Any procrastination in this regard constitutes a sin and renders the individual liable for the monetary sum in question. [Muhammad Zuhayli, al-Mu‘tamad fi al-Fiqh al-Shafi‘i]
Zakat Is Due Immediately
By the mere fact that a complete lunar year transpires (i.e. begins and ends while zakat-payable property is in the owner’s possession), the poor now own the portion the owner is obliged to pay as zakat.
Thus, if someone has had 200 dirhams (the minimal zakat-payable amount of silver) in his possession for years without paying zakat, he is only obliged to pay zakat on it for the first year (because after that year, the amount owned by the poor (5 dirhams) has diminished the money he possesses to less than the zakat-payable amount) [Misri, ‘Umdat al-Salik].
The Grave Consequences of Delaying Zakat
Delaying the payment of zakat can have severe consequences in the Hereafter. It may lead to torment in the grave and in the afterlife if one dies while still owing zakat and the heirs do not settle it. This highlights the gravity of delaying this obligation for the Muslim’s religion.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) warned about the severe punishment for those who withhold zakat, saying, “Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the zakat of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection, his wealth will be made like a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and say, ‘I am your wealth, I am your treasure’” [Bukhari].
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
