Receiving Zakaat if I have land
| Fatwa #2439 | Category: Zakaat & Sadaqah | Country: Suriname | Date: 14th October 2026 |
| Fatwa #2439 | Date: 14th October 2026 |
| Category: Zakaat & Sadaqah | |
| Country: Suriname | |
Question
Assalaamu alaikum Warahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh
Muhtaram Mufti saheb
I hope you are doing well.
I have a question regarding Zakat and Sadaqah Wajibah.
A person has inherited a large piece of land, which could potentially be divided into five plots, each measuring approximately 25 by 20 meters. Each plot is estimated to be worth €25,000 or more.
However, due to his current financial situation, he is not able to register the land in his own name at this time. Despite having this inherited property, he is currently struggling financially and does not have sufficient income to support himself and his family.
He is married and has a young child, and previously his family was entirely dependent on his income. Unfortunately, due to his current health condition, he is unable to work at the moment, and his doctor has advised him not to work for the time being.
My question is:
Would a person in this situation be eligible to receive Zakat and Sadaqah Wajibah, despite having inherited land that has significant potential value but which he currently cannot use or benefit from financially?
I would greatly appreciate your guidance on this matter, including any relevant conditions that should be taken into consideration.
Jazakumullahu Khairan for your time and guidance.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
In principle, an individual is not eligible for Zakat if his net worth excluding basic necessities is equal to or exceeds the nisaab amount.
Furthermore, inheritance is categorised into ‘distributed’ and ‘undistributed’. Distributed refers to inheritance that the heir is actively allocated such that he knows what exactly is his and he is able to make use of it. Undistributed refers to inheritance which is not yet allocated to the heirs and the heir is not able to make use of the inherited asset.
In the enquired situation, the land appears to be distributed in the sense that you know what exactly yours is and you have access to it such that none is able to bar you from entering said land. It is legal procedure that needs to be completed and is pending. Therefore, the land has been allocated to you from an Islamic perspective. Accordingly, it will prohibit you from being eligible for Zakaat.
We therefore advise you to obtain a loan to complete the due processes and once the land is sold, repay the loan.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Bilal Pandor
Concurred by
Mufti Muhammad Patel
Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah
Lusaka, Zambia