I know that zakāh is 2.5% of your entire wealth for a period of one year. But let’s say at the beginning of the zakāh calendar I have 5000$, and I know a needy person that’s is eligible for zakāh. With an intention of paying zakāh for a year, I decide to pay this person 100$ on a monthly basis knowing that by the end of the zakāh calendar the money given will be way more than 2.5%.
This person needs income every month so by me giving him only once a year it will not be beneficial for him. Can these advance payments be considered as zakāh ?
الجواب خامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب
Once one has become owner of the nisāb one can pay zakat in advance provided one makes the specific intention to do so. Zakat may be paid in the manner mentioned in the question provided the aforementioned conditions are met.