What is the ruling on paying zakah in advance, and is the reward in Ramadan better than in other times?

The questioner : Hello, yes. Peace be upon you. Thank you.

The Shaykh : Yes. Peace be upon you. Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy.

The questioner : Shaykh Muhammad, how are you?

The Shaykh : I am well, praise be to Allah.

The questioner : I would like to inquire about an issue, Shaykh, regarding zakah. Last year, in the fifth month, my zakah became due, and I paid it. Then, four months later, in Ramadan, I paid the zakah for this year.

The Shaykh : I paid the zakah, meaning for this year, which is 1427.

The questioner : He paid the zakah, meaning for this year, which is four hundred and seventy sa' (a dry measure of about 3 kg).

The Shaykh : So, do you keep it until Ramadan?

The questioner : Yes, so that I can start, so that I can organize my account in the month of Ramadan.

The Shaykh : You want to shift your hawl to Ramadan? There is no sale.

The questioner : Do I start from this year or from the next year?

The Shaykh : No, from this year.

The questioner : From this year.

The Shaykh : So that it is early, but I am asking you, my brother. I am asking you: do you think that the poor are in greater need in Ramadan than in other times?

The questioner : By Allah, I think it is for the reward, Shaykh.

The Shaykh : The consideration is the reward in feeding a poor person who is in distress. It is better if it is more beneficial to people in the days of winter, for example, or in the days of summer when charity decreases, because the benefit to the poor is a virtue related to the charity itself. The virtue of Ramadan is a virtue related to the time of the charity. What is related to the charity itself takes precedence over what is related to the time of the charity. An example of this, to make it clear to you: suppose there is a region whose people are poorer and in greater need than the poor people in Makkah. Is it better to pay your charity or zakah in Makkah, or to these poor people?

The questioner : Allah is a witness to the poor.

The Shaykh : To these poor people. So, if we consider the condition of the poor with regard to place, we likewise consider the condition of the poor with regard to time, and there is no difference. Therefore, I see for you and for others whose zakah becomes due in a time other than Ramadan that we should pay it at its proper time, because it is generally the case that the poor are in greater need. However, if you pay it in Ramadan before it becomes due, there is no harm.

The presenter : May Allah reward you with good, O Shaykh.