Short answer
Yes. In the Hanafi school you may pay zakat before it is due, in one sum or in monthly instalments, once you own the nisab. On your zakat date, work out what you owe and pay any shortfall. Paying in instalments after the due date is a delay, and that should be avoided.
Paying zakat in advance is valid once you own the nisab, even for more than one year ahead. Advance payments are counted against the zakat due on your date, and any excess can count toward the next year. Delaying zakat that is already due, without an excuse, is sinful.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- Advance payment is allowed for one year only, after owning the nisab.
- Maliki
- Zakat paid long before its due date does not count; only a short time early, around a month, is allowed.
- Hanbali
- Advance payment is allowed for up to two years.
Explanation
The Prophet ﷺ allowed his uncle al-Abbas to pay his zakat before it fell due, and the Hanafi school builds on this. Once you own the nisab, you may pay your zakat before your zakat date in any pattern: a lump sum, a monthly standing order, or whenever you meet someone in need.
A simple way to do it:
- Estimate this year's zakat and divide it by twelve.
- Each time you give, make the intention that it is zakat, and keep a note of it.
- On your zakat date, work out the real figure with the zakat calculator.
- Pay any shortfall straight away. If you paid more than you owed, count the extra toward next year or let it stand as sadaqah.
If your wealth has dropped below the nisab by the zakat date, no zakat was due that year, and what you paid becomes voluntary sadaqah, with its reward.
Instalments only work in advance. Once zakat is due, the whole amount is owed at once. Spreading it over the following months is a delay, which the relied-upon Hanafi fatwa does not allow without a real excuse. See when zakat is due.
The evidence
Sahih Muslim 983
Sahih... وأما العباس فهي علي ومثلها معها ...
"As for al-Abbas, it is upon me, and the same again with it."
Scholars explain that al-Abbas had paid his zakat in advance, which is why it was not collected from him.
Sunan Abi Dawud 1624
Graded hasan... في تعجيل صدقته قبل أن تحل فرخص له في ذلك ...
"Al-Abbas asked the Prophet about paying his zakat early, before it fell due, and he allowed him to do so."
A direct permission to pay zakat before its due date.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Zakat, on paying zakat before it falls due. Advance payment is valid once the nisab is owned, for one year or more.
- Minhaj al-Talibin, Kitab al-Zakat, chapter on paying zakat. The Shafi'i limit of one year.
- Kashshaf al-Qina', Kitab al-Zakat, chapter on paying zakat early. The Hanbali allowance of up to two years.
- Mukhtasar Khalil with al-Sharh al-Kabir, Bab al-Zakat, on paying before the year ends. The Maliki allowance of a short time only.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.