In his first question, a person who left his country for another in pursuit of knowledge has gathered money from benefactors and from some of the rewards and aid he received.
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The questioner : In his first question, a person who left his country for another in pursuit of knowledge has gathered money from benefactors and from some of the rewards and aid he received. He wants to return to his country, and a lunar year has passed over this money. If he pays its zakah, the remainder may not be enough for him to return to his country. What is the ruling if he delays the zakah until after he arrives in his country?
The Shaykh : It is obligatory to pay the zakah immediately.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : However, if he would be harmed by paying it immediately, there is no blame on him for delaying it until he arrives in his country, provided that his arrival is delayed only a short time, such as one or two months. But if the delay is for a long period, he must pay the zakah on the money in his possession. If he then runs out of money and cannot reach his country, he may take what is needed to get him there in the name of zakah, because in that case he is a traveler in need.
The Shaykh : It is obligatory to pay the zakah immediately.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : However, if he would be harmed by paying it immediately, there is no blame on him for delaying it until he arrives in his country, provided that his arrival is delayed only a short time, such as one or two months. But if the delay is for a long period, he must pay the zakah on the money in his possession. If he then runs out of money and cannot reach his country, he may take what is needed to get him there in the name of zakah, because in that case he is a traveler in need.