In which month should Zakat be paid?

Many people associate the payment of Zakat with the month of Ramadan, mainly because acts of worship performed in this blessed month carry greater spiritual rewards. However, according to Islamic teachings, Zakat is not restricted to any specific month. Instead, Zakat becomes obligatory exactly one lunar year (Hawl) after a person’s wealth first reaches the Nisab threshold. This means that the due date for Zakat varies from person to person, depending on when their wealth first qualified for Zakat.

Despite this, a large number of Muslims voluntarily choose Ramadan for paying Zakat. The reason is simple: Ramadan is the month of mercy, blessings, and multiplied rewards. Giving charity during this month holds greater virtue, and many believers prefer aligning their annual Zakat cycle with Ramadan for ease and spiritual benefit. This cultural and religious preference has made Ramadan the most popular month for Zakat payment, even though it is not mandatory to wait for it. If someone’s Zakat becomes due in another month, they must pay it then and not delay it until Ramadan, as delaying an obligatory act without a valid reason is not permissible.