Delaying some of the Zakah money in order to save money to marry a poor person or establish a project for him

22-1-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

Sometimes, after I pay Zakaah, some money (of the Zakaah) remains. Is it permissible to keep this money without spending it and, if some money remains from the Zakaah of the following year, I keep it as well and add it to the previous remaining sum and so on till it becomes a large sum with which I can help in some issues like participating in marrying off a young man, helping someone find a residence or helping someone to start a trade? Such types of assistance need great sums and I want these sums to be from the money of Zakaah.

---

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

The original ruling is that it is obligatory to pay Zakah when a lunar year elapses. It is impermissible to delay it after it becomes due according to the opinion of the majority of scholars. Rather, one should hasten to give it to those who deserve it. It may not be kept from them so that they are prevented from benefiting therefrom. It is permissible to delay Zakah for an excuse like not finding someone who deserves it or the absence of money from its owner or the like. What you mentioned is not an excuse that allows delaying Zakah or even some of it. It is obligatory upon you to pay all the Zakah of your money when a lunar year elapses unless you have an excuse that allows delay.

Allaah Knows best.