Can I Switch My Zakat Cycle to Ramadan and What If I Paid Zakat on Behalf of Family?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I had a couple of questions about Zakat:

1) I became saahib-e-nisaab in Rabi-al-Awwal. However, to gain the blessings of Ramadan, I wanted to give my zakat during that month. In 1433, I gave my zakat funds in Rabi-al-Awwal as per my cycle. In Ramadan 1433 (same year), I gave zakat on the estimated amount I would have in the following year- Rabi-al-Awwal 1434 (which I then verified in Rabi-al-Awwal to ensure the full zakat had been discharged based on the actual amount I had).

Is it now possible for me to switch my zakat cycle to every Ramadan? Or, if I have to pay in Ramadan, do I still have to calculate it each year based on the projected amount for the next Rabi-al-Awwal?

2) My brother and mother had asked me to pay Zakat to someone on their behalf, and then they would transfer the funds later. I made the payment, and I think we later forgot to do the transfer, but I am not sure, as it was a year or so ago.

Since I am not fully sure if we did the funds transfer, I don’t really want to take the money from them now, and I am happy to have paid on their behalf – would their obligation still be fulfilled if I didn’t take the money from them?

Answer

I hope you are in good health.

1) Yes it will be allowed for you to give your zakat in Ramadan this way as long you give a projected amount and at the same time verify it when your actual zakat date comes in. However, it would be preferable for you to discharge it as soon as the zakat date sets in, especially due to the long gap between Rabiul Awwal and Ramadan.

2) Yes, their obligation would be fulfilled.

And Allah alone gives success.

[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.