I have a sum of money in my bank account and I pay the due Zakaah every year at its due time. I deposited another sum of money in my bank account six months after the due time of paying the Zakaah (i.e. the Hawl). After another year, the main capital will be eligible for Zakaah, but the due time for paying Zakaah for the newly added money will only be reached later. How can I pay the Zakaah for that money? Should I pay the Zakaah for the whole sum of money in my bank account?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

Money that is added to one's capital during the Hawl is money that is eligible for Zakah, gained during the Hawl (i.e. lunar year). This is money that is gained through lawful means like inheritance or a salary. This money is not eligible for Zakah unless it reaches the Nisaab (i.e. the minimum amount of wealth liable for payment of Zakah, which is the equivalent value of 85 grams of gold). This newly gained money during the Hawl becomes liable for Zakah when it reaches the due Nisaab, whether by itself or by adding one's other wealth to it and after the lapse of a full lunar year. It is permissible to make an account settlement to document this gained money during the Hawl. Thus, one pays the due Zakah for the two sums of money at their due time. In this case, Zakah will be not paid for the whole sum of money all at once, but will be divided.

However, one may pay the due Zakah for gained money during the Hawl with that of the main capital, with the intention of paying the Zakah (of Zakatable gained money during the Hawl) earlier than its due time. This is permissible in general, but it is not obligatory.

Allaah knows best.