• Prayers & Duties >> Zakat & Charity

    Question ID: 4867Country: Pakistan

    Title: I have acquired three small pieces of land recently with the intention that these investments will mature in the long run to enable myself to build a house. I am confused about paying zakat on these lands.I would like to know if you purchase land for the purpose of building a house in the distant future may be on the same or some other property by selling this one do you have to pay zakat on it? Is it right for me to pay zakat on selection of them or two of them and mark one as reserved for house building? Also is there a one year grace period before zakat becomes due ? please advise.

    Question: I have acquired three small pieces of land recently with the intention that these investments will mature in the long run to enable myself to build a house. I am confused about paying zakat on these lands.I would like to know if you purchase land for the purpose of building a house in the distant future may be on the same or some other property by selling this one do you have to pay zakat on it? Is it right for me to pay zakat on selection of them or two of them and mark one as reserved for house building? Also is there a one year grace period before zakat becomes due ? please advise.

    Answer ID: 4867

    Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim !

    (Fatwa: 687/650=L-1429)

     

    Your question is not clear but I tell you the basic Islamic ruling about the matter, in the light of it you can apply your case.

    (1) The land purchased for business and the intention is same till the end, zakah is obligatory on its price provided it is equal to nisab and a year should pass on its purchasing.

    (2) If the land was purchased with the intention that he would sell it in case of profit, then zakah is not obligatory.

    وتشترط نية التجارة في العروض ولابد أن تكون مقارنة للتجارة فلو اشترى شيئا للقنية ناويا أنه وجد ربما باعه لا زكاۃ علیه (الأشباه و النظائر)

    (3) The land was purchased for business but latter on, the intention was changed into building a house on it or using it for another work, the even this case, zakah is not obligatory. Order for zakah will be abolished on mere changing the intention.

    لو نوى فيما كان للتجارة أن يكون للخدمة كان للخدمة وان لم يعمل بخلاف عكسه لأن التجارة عمل فلا تتم بمجرد النية والخدمة ترك التجارة فتتم بها (الأشباه والنظائر)

    Allah (Subhana Wa Ta'ala) knows Best

    Darul Ifta,

    Darul Uloom Deoband, India