Q. I have a piece of land which I have not decided on the way I will use it for. I may build some flats for rent, or may sell it when the price is right. So far, I have included it with my property for which I pay zakah. However, since I am uncertain of its future use, does it come under property that is zakahable once it is sold or realized its value?
A.R.C.
A. Let me first of all say this to all readers. When a person is given more than his needs, he or she should be most grateful to God. They should express their gratitude by lightening other people’s burdens through zakah and sadaqah.
We should always remember that what we have can easily be taken away, and that the best way to preserve it is to treat it as God’s gift for which we have to pay what is due in zakah and more. Therefore, no one should be sorry that he has to pay much in zakah, because paying much means that he has been given much more. This means that when we are uncertain whether a particular item we have is liable to zakah or not, it is better to take the more cautious option and pay zakah for it, because this could be treated either as obligatory or voluntary. In either case, we get a reward for it and God records our payment as an act of gratitude to Him. He has promised us: “If you are grateful, I will give you more.”
Having said that, my advice is to determine which course you think is most likely for you to go. If you still cannot decide, then take the more cautious attitude and pay zakah for it on a yearly basis. Since you are not certain you want to use it for some building, then you are more likely to sell it if you receive a good offer. Hence, it is better to treat it as a commercial commodity, liable to zakah annually.
What you have mentioned about the way you are paying your zakah is correct. May God reward you and give you increase.
Sins Bordering on Disbelief
Q. You mentioned in one of your answers that there are ten prohibited things that are tantamount to disbelief. Could you please let us know which are these sins that lead to disbelief.
Imtiaz Ahmad
A. A Hadith quotes the Prophet as saying: “Ten types from this nation disbelieve in God Almighty: The murderer, the sorcerer, the pimp who offers his wife to others, the one who takes a woman in her anus, the one who withholds zakah, the one who has plenty of money but dies without offering the pilgrimage, the one who drinks intoxicants, the one who stirs trouble within the Muslim community, the one who sells arms to the enemy, and the one who commits incest.” (Related by Al-Suyouti in Al-Jami’ Al-Sagheer).
This Hadith, as it stands, is graded as lacking in authenticity, or daeef, However, many of the sins mentioned in it are stated in other, more authentic Hadiths as taking a person into the category of unbelievers. But we should distinguish here between a person who commits a one-off sin, even if it is grave, and one who persistently does so.
Any sin could be forgiven as a result of genuine repentance and seeking God’s forgiveness, coupled with mending one’s ways. However, a persistent sinner who thinks little of the sins he commits takes himself into disbelief.
— Arab News Islam 17 October 2003
