Q.1. I have land property from which I do not receive any produce or money. I kept it with my relatives, who are needy. Without income from this they will have to stretch their hands for alms. I thought that this action will count towards Zakat payment. Am I correct? (This action of mine may be considered unannounced or silently announced.)

Q. 2. I have built a building on my land with a purpose to make it available for educational class room and guest-room for lecturers. I do not live in this house, but may use it for temporary resting place when I visit. Will the expenses for furniture for library and class room, and books be counted towards Zakat? The place is used for both religious and general education in a needy rural area.

Alhamdu Lillah

May Allah reward you for taking care of your needy relatives and for considering your Zakah.

1- For a proper Zakah calculation and payment, the actual or potential revenue of that land has to be defined in numbers ($1000 per year, for instance) in case of renting it to somebody else. The intention of paying this virtual amount as a Zakah has to occur  in advance, prior to the Zakah due date. So, if those two conditions were matched in your case, you can consider the virtual payment as Zakah, and vice versa.

2- What you built in your land is still yours. The ownership or the possession of the Zakah money has to be transferred to the beneficiary. Nevertheless, designating this building for educational, social, or charitable purposes is a devotion and rewardable act.