Is it permissible to give money to the poor with the intention of zakat before the zakat due date, and then deduct it from the obligatory zakat when it becomes due?

The majority of scholars hold the view that paying Zakat (definition) in advance, before it becomes due, is permissible and suffices. A person may pay his Zakat to the poor before the Hawl (the full year) is completed, and then deduct what he paid from the total Zakat amount when the Hawl is complete, provided that the advance payment of Zakat was made after the wealth reached the Nisab (definition) (the minimum threshold).