When may zakah be delayed after it becomes due?
2026-10-13
F180 · Selected fatwas
Shaykh Ibn Bāz
الشيخ عبد العزيز بن عبد الله بن باز
Original Q&A · Full displayed answer
Permission is tied to the stated valid excuse and ends when the recipient or funds become available. It is not a general permission to postpone due zakah.
النص العربي
السؤال الأصلي
هل يجوز تأخير إخراج الزكاة مدة أشهر بعد حلولها من أجل تحري المحتاج أو عدم وجود نقود لديه وقت حلول الزكاة؟
الجواب
لا بأس بتأخير إخراجها من أجل ما ذكر، ومتى وجد الفقراء، أو المال بادر بإخراجها؛ لأنه لا يجوز تأخيرها بعد تمام الحول إلا لعذر شرعي، مثل ما ذكرتم من عدم وجود المال بيده ذلك الوقت، أو عدم وجود الفقراء.
وأسأل الله أن يوفقنا وإياكم للفقه في دينه والثبات عليه إنه جواد كريم.
English translation
English rendering prepared for SalafAlSalih.com from the cited Arabic answer. Not an official translation.
Original question
May payment of zakah be delayed for months after it becomes due in order to find a needy recipient, or because cash is unavailable when it falls due?
Answer
There is no harm in delaying payment for the reasons mentioned. When poor recipients or the money become available, he promptly pays it. It may not be delayed after the year ends except for a valid religious excuse, such as not having the money at hand at that time or not finding poor recipients.
I ask Allah to grant us and you understanding of His religion and steadfastness upon it. He is Most Generous, Most Noble.
Source and editorial notes
Official Ibn Baz website, item 6477; Majmūʿ Fatāwā wa-Maqālāt 14/222 (reference supplied by the website)
الموقع الرسمي للشيخ ابن باز
Official website of Shaykh Ibn Baz
Arabic checked against the complete displayed answer on the official Ibn Baz page. Printed locator is the website’s own reference.