Agricultural land that becomes habitable

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Q: Zakah (obligatory charity) on land intended for sale and purchase. Shaykh Ahmad Muhammad Jamal commented in Al-Bilad newspaper on 12th of Ramadan, 1399 A.H., on my remarks concerning Zakah on land that is intended for sale and purchase. He affirmed that this Zakah is obligatory. However, a land trader phoned and blamed me for opening this issue. This trader said that Zakah should be paid on movable things, only not on land. I tried to convince him that land comes under the category of commercial commodities, but I failed. I hope that your Eminence would clarify this issue. May Allah reward you best. (Part No. 9; Page No. 331) For Islam and Muslims!

A: Zakah must be paid on land that is intended for sale and purchase, because they come under the category of commercial commodities, so they are included in the general meaning of the evidence in the Qur'an and Sunnah that clarifies the obligation of Zakah. Allah says: Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it Moreover, Abu Dawud narrated through a good Sanad (chain of narrators) that Samurah Ibn Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ordered us to pay the sadaqah (zakah) on what we prepared for sale. This is also the view of the majority of scholars, and it is the correct one.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!