Even Non Muslim Americans know that the war in Iraq and other places are completely unwarranted and have accounted for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. Not to mention the support of Israel monetarily has also help destroy the Palestinians.
So my question is, is it right to pay taxes when you know that money is going to missiles to kill Iraqis and Israelis to destroy Palestinians?
Full Version: If America Kills Muslims, Is It Right To Pay Taxes?
Assalamu alaikum,
well, heres the thing...a lot of things in this country are not exactly 'halal'... like insurance for an example, its not halal to pay insurance, however you must pay insurance on a vehicle if you want to drive legally in this country, therefore scholars say its permissibles since you must.
Same with taxes, you cannot avoid them, you have no choice, if you want to live here, you need to pay taxes so its ok if you do. General rule is if you can avoid the haram, thats the best way to go, but if not then its ok.
Wa Allahu a3lam bro...
well, heres the thing...a lot of things in this country are not exactly 'halal'... like insurance for an example, its not halal to pay insurance, however you must pay insurance on a vehicle if you want to drive legally in this country, therefore scholars say its permissibles since you must.
Same with taxes, you cannot avoid them, you have no choice, if you want to live here, you need to pay taxes so its ok if you do. General rule is if you can avoid the haram, thats the best way to go, but if not then its ok.
Wa Allahu a3lam bro...
QUOTE(aras @ Aug 13 2008, 10:05 PM) 
Assalamu alaikum,
well, heres the thing...a lot of things in this country are not exactly 'halal'... like insurance for an example, its not halal to pay insurance, however you must pay insurance on a vehicle if you want to drive legally in this country, therefore scholars say its permissibles since you must.
Same with taxes, you cannot avoid them, you have no choice, if you want to live here, you need to pay taxes so its ok if you do. General rule is if you can avoid the haram, thats the best way to go, but if not then its ok.
Wa Allahu a3lam bro...
well, heres the thing...a lot of things in this country are not exactly 'halal'... like insurance for an example, its not halal to pay insurance, however you must pay insurance on a vehicle if you want to drive legally in this country, therefore scholars say its permissibles since you must.
Same with taxes, you cannot avoid them, you have no choice, if you want to live here, you need to pay taxes so its ok if you do. General rule is if you can avoid the haram, thats the best way to go, but if not then its ok.
Wa Allahu a3lam bro...
Maybe we shouldn't live here?
Hmm, well if you live in a country you have to abide by it's laws, otherwise don't live in it. So you have to pay taxes but I'm suspecting there are permissible ways of reducing them.
Here's something extracted from Islamonline.net
Take into account also that tax may likewise benefit infrastructure etc. Main thing is: (…He (Allah) hath not laid upon you in religion any hardship…) (Al-Hajj 18: 78)
Here's something extracted from Islamonline.net
QUOTE
As long as you live in the USA as a citizen and a legal resident you certainly must abide by the laws of the United States. Falling in trouble with law is worse than the fact that part of your taxes is used by the government to display some sort of anti-Islam campaigns, such as giving full and blind support to the Israeli atrocities in Palestine.
As Muslims in the USA, citizens and legal residents, while abiding by the law we are also required to be proactive in the political and social arena to change the unjust policies undertaken by the US government. Such changes can only be accomplished through active participation in the national and state affairs of our country. Remember that it's the duty of the citizens and legal residents of this country to help the government improve and cater for people's welfare. This is our destiny as American Muslims and our duty that our religion requires us to do in this society. We must realize that Allah Almighty sent the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, with divine message as a mercy for mankind. We have to make this mercy a reality in America.
As Muslims in the USA, citizens and legal residents, while abiding by the law we are also required to be proactive in the political and social arena to change the unjust policies undertaken by the US government. Such changes can only be accomplished through active participation in the national and state affairs of our country. Remember that it's the duty of the citizens and legal residents of this country to help the government improve and cater for people's welfare. This is our destiny as American Muslims and our duty that our religion requires us to do in this society. We must realize that Allah Almighty sent the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, with divine message as a mercy for mankind. We have to make this mercy a reality in America.
Take into account also that tax may likewise benefit infrastructure etc. Main thing is: (…He (Allah) hath not laid upon you in religion any hardship…) (Al-Hajj 18: 78)
Yeah um, Federal Income Tax is the only thing funding wars and Palestinian deaths Right now.
There are many ways around it, Just need to find your path bro.
I'm sure The Prophet(SAWS) wouldn't stand for us funding death and destruction to live in "legally" in a kaffir country.
There are many ways around it, Just need to find your path bro.
I'm sure The Prophet(SAWS) wouldn't stand for us funding death and destruction to live in "legally" in a kaffir country.
best choice: leave America and move to a place where the halaal is easier
QUOTE(bin't Zayd @ Aug 14 2008, 12:05 AM)
Hmm, well if you live in a country you have to abide by it's laws, otherwise don't live in it. So you have to pay taxes but I'm suspecting there are permissible ways of reducing them.
Here's something extracted from Islamonline.net
Take into account also that tax may likewise benefit infrastructure etc. Main thing is: (…He (Allah) hath not laid upon you in religion any hardship…) (Al-Hajj 18: 78)
Here's something extracted from Islamonline.net
QUOTE
As long as you live in the USA as a citizen and a legal resident you certainly must abide by the laws of the United States. Falling in trouble with law is worse than the fact that part of your taxes is used by the government to display some sort of anti-Islam campaigns, such as giving full and blind support to the Israeli atrocities in Palestine.
As Muslims in the USA, citizens and legal residents, while abiding by the law we are also required to be proactive in the political and social arena to change the unjust policies undertaken by the US government. Such changes can only be accomplished through active participation in the national and state affairs of our country. Remember that it's the duty of the citizens and legal residents of this country to help the government improve and cater for people's welfare. This is our destiny as American Muslims and our duty that our religion requires us to do in this society. We must realize that Allah Almighty sent the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, with divine message as a mercy for mankind. We have to make this mercy a reality in America.
As Muslims in the USA, citizens and legal residents, while abiding by the law we are also required to be proactive in the political and social arena to change the unjust policies undertaken by the US government. Such changes can only be accomplished through active participation in the national and state affairs of our country. Remember that it's the duty of the citizens and legal residents of this country to help the government improve and cater for people's welfare. This is our destiny as American Muslims and our duty that our religion requires us to do in this society. We must realize that Allah Almighty sent the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, with divine message as a mercy for mankind. We have to make this mercy a reality in America.
Take into account also that tax may likewise benefit infrastructure etc. Main thing is: (…He (Allah) hath not laid upon you in religion any hardship…) (Al-Hajj 18: 78)
Benefit US infrastructure, and kill Iraqi infrastructure.
Is it right to live in harmony at the expense of others?
QUOTE(maismail09 @ Aug 14 2008, 11:14 AM)
best choice: leave America and move to a place where the halaal is easier
There is not place easier than America for halal in my opinion, because here I have the choice to live halal without getting into trouble. In other western countries freedom of religion isn't as respected (france), and in Islamic countries not being halal is looked down upon, therefore many people become hypocrites.
Bismillah,
It is haraam to aid the nations of Kufr (disbelief) and their Kuffar (disbelievers) in any way, whether material, verbal, ideological, or otherwise supporting them. For more information on this see Shaykh Nasir ibn Hamad al-Fahad (May Allaah swt free him from the Saudi prisons)'s Fatwa at www.amrikan.wordpress.com.
Therefore, especially giving money to them is Haraam. That is why the Prophet (SAWW) ordered us to make Hijra to Muslim lands. I'll find the Hadith, its it one of my books from Masjid.
It is haraam to aid the nations of Kufr (disbelief) and their Kuffar (disbelievers) in any way, whether material, verbal, ideological, or otherwise supporting them. For more information on this see Shaykh Nasir ibn Hamad al-Fahad (May Allaah swt free him from the Saudi prisons)'s Fatwa at www.amrikan.wordpress.com.
Therefore, especially giving money to them is Haraam. That is why the Prophet (SAWW) ordered us to make Hijra to Muslim lands. I'll find the Hadith, its it one of my books from Masjid.
QUOTE(maismail09 @ Aug 14 2008, 12:14 PM)
best choice: leave America and move to a place where the halaal is easier
Someone said along the lines recently that a poor man in the states has it better than some rich guys in a third word country. Why would they want to leave?
QUOTE(Simba @ Aug 14 2008, 06:05 PM)
Benefit US infrastructure, and kill Iraqi infrastructure.
Is it right to live in harmony at the expense of others?
Is it right to live in harmony at the expense of others?
Taxes can also be spent in legitimate ways, for instance infrastructure, privileges that we all take advantage of, though it's important to assume responsibility with privileges. You're not necessarily living in harmony at the expense of others' per se, that depends on what your intentions of benefiting out of the infrastructure is. Non-muslims as well as Muslims don't entirely agree with the government yet on a general consensus people would wonder what has the standard of living in the USA got to do with Iraq? As for helping the suffering world, Muslims can help financially and morally, being proactive politically and socially to change unjust policies undertaken by the government (refer to my previous post). In addition, given the society we live in today it's important to achieve a standing or profession that can cater for suffering Muslims - e.g qualifying in medicine and joining Doctors without Borders or International development for third world countries. I've known a few Palestinians that moved to the USA because living in their homeland was unbearable until they can create a sense of initiative.
Point is if you're enjoying the freedoms in your country, paying taxes comes with the package. Where you live, religion/faith becomes a personal matter which can work in your favour. You are able to reform yourself and stand firm on your path.
However, in the Qur'an Allah says He has made the Earth spacious for you; so you may migrate to another place/country if you feel that way you can serve your deen better. There shouldn't be a burden on religion, a choice you make.
living in america without paying taxes is easy...just dont work!
on a more serious note, we should be working on using the freedoms that our host countries give us to take control or acquire some strong influence over the tax money and use it to help our muslims...then we wont find ourselves in this problem.
in the meantime, there isnt really a viable alternative to paying taxes aside from leaving, and im not too interested in moving to an islamic country that might ignorantly label me as a kaafir and give me less freedom.
on a more serious note, we should be working on using the freedoms that our host countries give us to take control or acquire some strong influence over the tax money and use it to help our muslims...then we wont find ourselves in this problem.
in the meantime, there isnt really a viable alternative to paying taxes aside from leaving, and im not too interested in moving to an islamic country that might ignorantly label me as a kaafir and give me less freedom.
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