Question Summary:
Is Zakat payable on the money which i intend using for the land?

Question Detail:

Question:

ASSLAMO ALAIKUM
AS I CALCULATE MY ZAKAT IN  RAMADHAN EVERY YEAR AND DISTRIBUTE AS SOON AS I CAN OR SAVE IT TO DISTRIBUTE MYSELF IF I HAVE PLANS TO VISIT A POOR COUNTRY.
I AM BUYING SOME LAND TO BUILD A HOUSE FOR MY FAMILY AND MYSELF I HAVE PAID A DEPOSIT ON THE LAND WE ARE WAITING FOR CONTRACTS TO BE PREPARED BY SOLICITOR TO COMPLETE THE PURCHASE. WHICH I AM TOLD THE CONTRACT WILL BE READY NEXT WEEK. IS ZAKAT IS PAYEBLE ON THE MONEY WHICH I WILL USE TO PAY FOR THE LAND.
I PAID THE DEPOSIT 3 MONTHS AGO TO SECURE THE PURCHASE OF THE LAND. I AM LIVING IN A RENTED PROPERTY JUST NOW.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
 
The amount payable for the land will not be regarded as a liability and cannot be deducted from the Zakaat payable.
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.