Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn Muawiyah radiyallahu anhu reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever does three deeds will taste the sweetness of faith: one who worships Allah alone, one who declares there is no God but Allah and who gives Zakat from his wealth each year with a cheerful and earnest soul.” [Sunan Abi Dawud]
Question:
If someone unintentionally overpaid their Zakat in previous years due to a miscalculation, can the excess amount be counted toward future Zakat obligations, even though it was originally given with the intention of fulfilling each specific year’s duty rather than as an advance payment?
(Question published as received)
Answer:
Yes, if someone has paid more Zakat than required, the extra amount can be counted toward their Zakat for future years. [Shaami 2/293]
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Muhammed Hamza Farooqui
Mufti Taahir Hansa
Fatwa Department
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.)