Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
A man back home owns land which is worth well over the niṣāb amount. This is the only property wealth that he owns. This land is not suitable for farming. He has a few small houses on that land which he has rented out. This is his only source of income and it is barely sufficient for his basic needs. Many times, his basic needs are not met with his income. Is it permissible to give him zakāt?
Answer:
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for contacting Mathabah Institute.
In the described scenario it is not permissible to give zakāh to the person who owns land and properties for business. A home that is for personal use is not zakātable. As far as land, houses and properties on it that are for business, they are zakātable. Even if the land is not suitable for farming at present, it has the potential to draw profits and or earnings through proper cultivation, increased resale etc. – (See: Rad Al-Muḥtār, Vol 2, Page 257 and 259, Dār Al-Fikr, Mukhtaṣar Al-Qudūrī, Page 51, Dār Al-Kutub Al-‘Ilmīyyah)
Yes, in the case where such a person’s business is in loss, in debt, unable to sell the business or farming land, and the individual does not own niṣāb, he is entitled to receive zakāh.
“Take alms out of their wealth to cleanse them and purify them, and pray for them; your prayer will be a comfort to them. God is all hearing, all knowing.” – (Qur’ān 9:103)
The Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessing be with him) stated, “Instruct them that verily Allāh has made zakāh obligatory for them which is to be collected from the wealthy amongst them and distributed to their needy ones.” – (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 19)
Only Allāh knows best
وَشَرْطُ افْتِرَاضِهَا عَقْلٌ وَبُلُوغٌ وَإِسْلَامٌ وَحُرِّيَّةٌ وَالْعِلْمُ بِهِ وَلَوْ حُكْمًا كَكَوْنِهِ فِي دَارِنَا متمن وَسَبَبُهُ أَيْ سَبَبُ افْتِرَاضِهَا مِلْكُ نِصَابٍ حَوْلِيٍّ نِسْبَةً لِلْحَوْلِ لِحَوَلَانِهِ عَلَيْهِ تَامٌّ – كتاب الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين رد المحتار ج٢/ ص ٢٥٧ دار الفكر
سَبَبُ افْتِرَاضِهَا مِلْكُ نِصَابٍ حَوْلِيٍّ نِسْبَةً لِلْحَوْلِ لِحَوَلَانِهِ عَلَيْهِ – كتاب الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين ج٢ /ص ٢٥٩ دار الفكر
الزكاة واجبة على الحر المسلم البالغ العاقل إذا ملك نصابا ملكا تاما وحال عليه الحول – كتاب مختصر القدوري ص٥١ دار الكتب العلمية
خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِمْ بِهَا – سورة التوبة ١٠٣
فَأَخْبِرْهُمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ فَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ زَكَاةً تُؤْخَذُ مِنْ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ فَتُرَدُّ عَلَى فُقَرَائِهِمْ – اخرجه مسلم ١٩