Is zakat obligatory on a commercial building prepared for sale that has not been sold for five years, and what is its value if it is obligatory, and is zakat obligatory on its value after it is sold at a profit or loss, or on the profit only, or on the remaining balance after a full year?

Zakat is obligatory on a commercial building if the intention is to sell it. Its zakat is considered the zakat of trade goods, and it is assessed and paid after appraising its market value at the end of each year (hawl). Zakat is due on the total sale value. However, if the purpose of the building is rental, there is no zakat on the building itself, but rather on the money generated from the rents if it reaches the nisab (minimum threshold) and a hawl has passed over it. If there is no specific intention, then there is no zakat on it until the intention for rental or sale becomes clear. This detailed ruling also applies to land and vehicles.