Hastening in paying Zakah

Q: I had 15 camels, and a lunar year passed without paying the obligatory Zakah on them. After this, all the camels were lost, and now I do not have any of them. I do not know whether I should expiate for not having paid the Zakah or not. May Allah reward you, please tell me what to do.

A: If the reality is as you mentioned, it is obligatory for you to pay the Zakah on the camels. The amount of Zakah due on them is three sheep for each year if they were grazing freely all the year or most of it. You should pay this amount of Zakah as soon as possible, hoping for Allah’s Reward and fearing His Punishment, after which, you should repent to Allah and invoke Him to forgive you for delaying paying the Zakah. (Part No. 9; Page No. 209) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.