Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalam-u-Allaekum brother

May Allah bless you and your family. I have a question. I couldn`t pay zakat last year and i don`t think that i`ll be able to pay it this year too. I wanted to sell some of my jewellery bu tmy parents are not allowing me to do this. I don`t want to argue with them, but at the same time i`m very confuse what to do. Is it possible to give zakat all together? I mean zakat of last year and this year. Kindly please reply me as soon as you can. Also tell me that how should I convince my parents and my in-laws for letting me sell some jewellery.

JazakAllah Khair

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Answer:

Pay past zakah

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Dear and beloved Sister in Islam, Allah Subhanah has made it absolutely obligatory on every believer who has excess wealth to pay their annual zakah dues on it.

Your Question: Is it possible to give zakat all together? I mean zakat of last year and this year.

If for any reason one has not paid one’s prior years obligatory zakah dues, their remains a debt unto Allah Subhanah that one must, and we reiterate, one must fulfill; for Allah Subhanah is most deserving that His Debts be fulfilled.

If one for any reason has been unable to pay one’s prior years obligatory zakah dues, there is absolutely no harm if one pays them all together the following year; it is expected that their Lord will accept their worship and not withhold their rewards in the least.

Your Question: Also tell me that how should I convince my parents and my in-laws for letting me sell some jewellery.

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 1558 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As

A woman came to the Messenger of Allah (saws) and she was accompanied by her daughter who wore two heavy gold bangles in her hands. He (saws) said to her: ‘Do you pay zakat on them?’ She said: ‘No’ . He (saws) then said: ‘Are you pleased that Allah may put two bangles of Fire on your hands?’ Thereupon she took them off and placed them before the Prophet (saws) saying: ‘They are for Allah and His Messenger (saws)’.

Dear and beloved Sister in Islam, if the jewelry belongs to you, then you alone are responsible to fulfill its annual zakah. If you need the permission of your parents or your in-laws to sell some of your own jewelry, then politely request them to give you their consent….but even if after your best efforts, they do not give you their consent, you must, and we reiterate, must pay the zakah on your excess jewelry….if indeed you fear Allah and the Last Day.

In the case that you need to sell some of your jewelry to pay your zakah, and you are unable to get the permission of your parents or in-laws…..and you have no other way of fulfilling your obligatory duty of zakah unto your Lord except disobeying your parents or in-laws and selling some of your jewelry to pay your zakah dues….in such a case you will be absolutely blameless and innocent and not be guilty of disobedience to your parents in the Sight of Allah Subhanah….for the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: ‘A creature is not to be obeyed if it involves disobedience of the Lord Creator!’

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 3696 Narrated by An-Nawwas ibn Sam'an

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "A creature is not to be obeyed when it involves disobedience to the Creator."

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan