Paying zakat in instalments and in advance

Question

(1) As soon as the month of Ramadan arrives, a certain person calculates his wealth and money and records the amount in a book — say, two hundred rupees — and begins to spend it in parts until the following year: some of it immediately in this same Ramadan, some in the following months whenever deserving recipients come to his notice, and some monthly to fixed miskins (destitute people) as a stipend — to one two rupees a month, to another one, and so on.

Answer

(1) It is not necessary to spend the whole amount at once in Ramadan; zakat is discharged in the manner described as well, but the intention must be present at the time of giving. And paying it quickly is the more cautious course (ahwat). (2) This too is correct, but delay in paying zakat is not appropriate; indeed, it is makruh. (3)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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