Title: Should zakaat be given on money you have right now or the money you had last year at this time

Question: I have three questions: I pay zakah since last two years but I was confused now that if I should pay zakah on amount that I hold this year (i.e. say if today is 1 Ramadan which I consider a day for calculation) or should calculate zakah on amount that I had hold last year on 1st of Ramadan (e.g. if I had 5 lakh rupees last year on 1st of Ramadan and this year I have 8 lakh rupees, should I calculate zakah on 5 lakh or on 8 lakh). My next question is though I calculate zakah on 1st of Ramadan can I distribute it later during the year (as recently I am out of country and feel it better to check and give zakah with my hand after knowing the person so can I just calculate it right now and then give when I am back in say January). The third question is that is eating prawn makrooh? I have heard this recently and on searching on net found multiple answers, since I follow the teachings of your thoughts I would consider your inputs as correct for me.

Answer ID: 40724Posted on: Sep 1, 2020

Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim !

(Fatwa: 1667/1291/B=1433) (1) This year you will pay the zakah of eight lakh rupees. (2) Calculate it after the year completes, then you can give it to poor and needy ones in small amounts any time. (3) Ulama have different opinions regarding it. Some call it insect and thus regard it haram while some call it fish and regard it halal. As per the evidences, this later opinion is more acceptable hence you can eat it. However it is better to avoid due to difference of opinions.