Fatwa ID: 08109

Answered by: Maulana Mohammed Aabu Saeed Miah

Question:

salaam, I am confused about whether it is haram or halal to give taxes in a country when they are supporting war. The taxes of course don’t always go to war – a portion is for the benefit of the people and a portion is being used by the government for the wrong things. it is against the law to not pay taxes and we are supposed to abide by the law but I am not sure what to do as it does not feel right to pay even though my taxes are really low. is it a lesser evil to pay as we don’t know if our payments are allocated there?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

Wa Alaykum Assalam Wa Rahmatullah,

For a payment, such as tax or the price of any commodity, to be considered Haram or Batil it must be in exchange for something Haram e.g. pork or a haram activity. The payment of Tax is in exchange of public service the government provides varying from health to security and much more. Therefore, the payment which one gives will not be considered Haram or a sinful activity. However, one should be paying for the services they accept, as taking in complete but failing to pay is an act of deception.

“Woe to those who give short measure, who demand of other people full measure for themselves, but give less than they should when it is they who weigh or measure for others!” [Quran 83:1-3]

Please also note, someone who does not pay to be party to unlawful war and oppression will not be considered sinful for this.

وَيْلٌ لِّلْمُطَفِّفِينَ. ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ٱكْتَالُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ يَسْتَوْفُونَ . ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ٱكْتَالُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ يَسْتَوْفُونَ . [Quran 83:1-3]

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Maulana Mohammed Aabu Saeed Miah
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ilm Birmimgham