Advancing Zakah and Delaying It

The questioner:
This man asks, saying: I have become accustomed to paying my zakah in the blessed month of Ramadan, and out of my desire to advance this zakah, what is the ruling on my doing this?

The Shaykh:
There is no harm in that. The obligatory zakah is to be paid when the lunar year is completed. If one advances it for a valid purpose, such as seizing the virtue of the time or the need of the poor, there is no harm. It is permissible to advance the zakah by up to two years or less.

The presenter:
In contrast, delaying the noble zakah.

The Shaykh:
Delaying it is not permissible except for a valid purpose, such as if he does not have money at the present time and is waiting for the money to come so he can pay it, or if he is waiting for a poor person he knows and wants to delay the zakah for his sake. There is no objection if it is for a valid purpose, so there is no harm. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you,