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23 / 06 / 2026
Zakat on Land Prepared for Trade
A person who is not a trader bought land with the intention of selling it when its price increases, and has the following questions: - If a year passes, should he pay zakat based on the estimated price at the end of the year or based on its old price? How does he evaluate its new price? - If he later changes his intention and decides to keep the land for construction or agriculture, does the ruling on zakat change or does it remain tied to his initial intention? - If he bought it with the intention of selling it to purchase another piece of land that is closer and more suitable for construction, not for profit, does it also require zakat after a year passes?
Answer
I say, and with God's success: Zakat on property and goods is obligatory for those who buy something to sell it, like merchants. I do not think this applies to his purchase, so zakat is not obligatory on him. Even if he firmly intended to trade but then changed his intention not to trade, zakat is not required on it. However, if he bought to sell in order to purchase another piece of land, it would be considered trade, and zakat is obligatory on it. And God knows best.
