What is the permissible timing gap between forming the intention for Zakat and making the payment?
Chapter on Zakat on Sheep
Al-Mughni
Book of Zakat
Primary text
It is permissible to precede the intention for Zakat with the payment by a short interval, similar to other acts of worship. If the wealth owner gives the Zakat to his agent and forms the intention himself without the agent forming the intention, it is valid, provided the intention did not precede the handover to the agent by a long time. If the agent forms the intention but the owner does not, it is invalid because the obligation pertains to the owner, and the fulfillment is accounted for him.
Supporting text
If the owner pays the Zakat to the Imam intending it as Zakat, it is valid even if the Imam's intention is delayed until he pays the poor, regardless of the time elapsed, because the Imam is considered the agent of the poor. If the owner gives away all his wealth voluntarily without intending it as Zakat, it does not fulfill the obligation, according to Al-Shafi'i. Abu Hanifa's companions suggest it is commendable but not valid because the obligatory intention was absent, similar to someone praying 100 Rak'ahs without the intention of the obligatory prayer.