Paying zakat on trade goods in advance, in instalments

Question

On 1 Dhu al-Hijja 1387 AH Zayd had two thousand pens made for trade, whose total value comes to four thousand rupees. It is evident that Zayd is an owner of the nisab (sahib al-nisab), and on 1 Dhu al-Hijja 1388 AH zakat will become wajib on this wealth, and paying it will be necessary. But Zayd wishes to start paying the zakat gradually from now — and, being an owner of the nisab, he may indeed do so.

Answer

By giving pens in this way the zakat will be paid; this tinge [of benefit] will not harm the payment of zakat.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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