The Zakah on Rental Buildings and Its Distribution Among the Heirs

The questioner:
Also, a question from Sister Umm Muhammad regarding zakah. She says: We have an inherited building that we sometimes rent out annually and sometimes leave vacant. She asks: Is zakah due on it?

The Shaykh:
If you rent it out and receive rent from it, you pay zakah on the rent. Yes.

The questioner:
But on the property itself, there is no zakah on the building itself.

The Shaykh:
If you intend to sell it, then there is zakah on it. But if you intend to keep it, then there is no zakah on it.

The questioner:
Also, a question from Sister Umm Muhammad. She says: If I receive the price, do I pay the zakah before dividing it among the heirs?

The Shaykh:
You divide it among the heirs. If a lunar year has passed, then you pay zakah on it, or each person pays zakah on his share. Yes, each person pays zakah on his share. Yes.

The questioner:
And if Umm Muhammad pays zakah on the full amount.

The Shaykh:
She does not own this money, and she is not an agent. Rather, each person pays zakah on his share. Yes.

The presenter:
Yes. May Allah bless you and reward you.