The ruling on zakah for one who desires to part with something from his property and then offers it for sale
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His Eminence the Shaykh: A man bought a plot of land to build a house on it, but after a while he changed his mind and decided to sell the land. It did not sell until several years had passed. Is he required to pay zakah on this land that remained in his ownership for several years, given that he bought another plot and will build his house with the money from the first plot?
He is not required to pay zakah on that. If a person desires to part with something from his property, such as land, a car, or anything else, and offers it for sale, and it remains unsold for a year, two years, or more, he is not required to pay zakah on it. This is not trade, and zakah is only obligatory in trade, that is, for the man who exchanges goods in pursuit of profit. This man did not seek profit, but his desire for this land ceased, so he wanted to sell it. Therefore, he is not required to pay zakah, even if it remains for several years.
The questioner: But what if he sells it for a profit?The Shaykh: Even if he sells it for a profit, if he sells it and the money remains with him until the year is completed, then zakah is due on it, the zakah of the money.
He is not required to pay zakah on that. If a person desires to part with something from his property, such as land, a car, or anything else, and offers it for sale, and it remains unsold for a year, two years, or more, he is not required to pay zakah on it. This is not trade, and zakah is only obligatory in trade, that is, for the man who exchanges goods in pursuit of profit. This man did not seek profit, but his desire for this land ceased, so he wanted to sell it. Therefore, he is not required to pay zakah, even if it remains for several years.
The questioner: But what if he sells it for a profit?The Shaykh: Even if he sells it for a profit, if he sells it and the money remains with him until the year is completed, then zakah is due on it, the zakah of the money.