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Fatwa CenterZakah on money spent on constructing a house
Question
As-salamu alaikum wa-rahmatullah wa-barakautallah 1. I spend money from my monthly salary to build house for rent. End of the year I have no balance. But if I do not build house I must have enough money for Zakat. Now I have pay Zakat of this money or not ? 2. I took loan from End-of-Service fund for build house for rent. But this money I can not use to build house because Electricity and Gas problem. Now I have to pay Zakat for this money or not ? Thanks and regards,
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
With regard to the money that you had spent on construction (of the house) before a whole lunar year elapses over it, then you are not obligated to pay Zakah on it because among the conditions of paying Zakah is that a whole lunar year should elapse over the Zakatable money.
As regards the money which you borrowed, then if a whole lunar year elapses since possessing it, then you are obligated to pay Zakah on it according to some scholars 
and this is better in order to be on the safe side. However, many scholars are of the view that you first deduct the debts that you owe when a whole lunar year elapses over the money and then you pay Zakah on the remainder if it reaches the Nisaab (the minimum amount liable for Zakah).
Finally, it should be noted that borrowing money with Riba (interest and/or usury) is one of the grave major sins. Therefore, if the loan which you took from the End of Service Fund is a usurious loan, then you are obligated to repent from that, be determined not to do it again in the future and regret having done it. Also, if it is possible to return the borrowed amount without paying the interest, then you are obligated to do so. For more benefit, refer to Fatwa 84434.
Allaah Knows best.
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