Ignorance of the obligation of zakah does not exempt one from it

Q: The questioner, brother W. M. B. from Riyadh, says in his question: I have had a sum of money for about five years, and this amount increases and decreases. This year, a conversation took place with one of the brothers regarding the zakah of money, and he mentioned that any amount a person owns, if a lunar year has passed over it, even if he is saving it for marriage or buying a house, is subject to zakah. Your Eminence: Do I owe zakah for the past years, given that I did not know I owed zakah, or do I only pay zakah for this year, in which I learned that I owe zakah? Please issue a ruling for us, may Allah reward you with good.

A: You owe zakah for all the previous years, and your ignorance does not exempt you from it; because the obligation of zakah is a matter known from the religion by necessity, and the ruling is not hidden from the Muslims. Zakah is the third pillar of the pillars of Islam. It is obligatory for you to hasten to pay the zakah for all the previous years, along with repentance to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) for the delay. May Allah forgive us, you, and every Muslim. And success is from Allah.