Is it permissible to pay the Zakat on money in monthly installments after the hawl (one year) has passed, if paying it as a lump sum would lead to financial hardship for the owner of the money?

Zakat becomes immediately due upon the completion of the hawl (one lunar year), based on the Almighty's saying: (And give zakat) and (And give its due on the day of its harvest). The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "No sadaqah (charity) mixes with wealth but that it destroys it," and "I remembered while I was in prayer some gold we had, and I disliked that it should remain with us until evening or until the next morning, so I ordered it to be distributed." This is the view of the majority of scholars. Paying it all at once is not considered a hardship for the muzakki (one who pays zakat); because it is a small portion (2.5%), and it is not permissible to delay it except for a legitimate Shar'i excuse, such as the absence of the wealth or the unavailability of recipients.