The Ruling on Investing Zakah Funds and Delaying Their Payment

Question:
The questioner asks: What is the ruling on investing zakah funds, given that they are productive for the benefit of the poor and are better for them?

Answer:
It is not permissible to delay the payment of zakah (the obligatory alms) past its due time, because Allah has commanded its performance, and the command implies immediacy unless evidence indicates otherwise. It must be paid when it becomes obligatory, given to the needy and the poor, and it must not be delayed on the pretext that it will grow or be invested. The poor person needs it in his current state, so he should not wait for it to be invested and grow; it is for meeting the present need, for meeting the present need. If this poor person does not have a present need, it is given to another poor person, as there are many poor people with varying circumstances. Therefore, do not delay zakah for the sake of investment; this is something that has not been transmitted. It has not been transmitted that zakah is to be invested and its payment delayed. What has been transmitted, and what is the basis for action, is that it is paid immediately to the needy and the eight categories of recipients. Yes.