Is it permissible to pay the Zakah of money in installments?

     In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Him, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger. The payment of the Zakah of money, after a lapse of a complete Hijri (lunar) year, in installments is mainly not permissible.

     One who has possessed more than the minimum amount of money liable to zakah (niṣāb) for a complete Hijri year has to pay his Zakah when it is due, and it is not permissible to delay it without an excuse. It is sinful to delay zakah in such a case.

     If the money of the Zakah is available to the person only in installments, then it is permissible for him to pay Zakah in the same way as well. But when the money is provided to him in a lump sum, it is forbidden for him to pay it out in installments.

 Allah Almighty knows best.