Is Zakat obligatory on an apartment that was sold after the passing of a Hawl (lunar year) and was designated for sale to pay off a debt?

The answer hinges on the jurisprudential dispute among scholars regarding an asset originally intended for personal use that is subsequently intended for trade. Does it become a trade asset merely by intention?

1. The view of the majority: It does not become a trade asset merely by intention. Rather, it must have been intended for trade at the time of its acquisition and through a transaction involving consideration. 2. The view of العلامة العثيمين and others: It becomes a trade asset by intention, based on the hadith: "Actions are but by intentions."

Based on this: According to the view of the majority (which is the preponderant opinion): There is no zakat due on the apartment for the year it remained in your possession before the sale. According to the second view: You would have been obligated to pay zakat on the value of the apartment at a rate of two and a half percent upon the completion of a year from the day you intended it for trade.