Rules about Sultan’s Taxes on Taxpayers

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Once companions of my father came to him and asked about the money that al-Sultan (the ruler) makes them to pay. My father sympathized with them, knowing that receiving Zakat is not lawful unless one is a proper beneficiary, he instructed them to count such payment as Zakat. I, by Allah, thought about them and then said to my father, “Father, if they hear it, no one, thereafter, will pay Zakat (to proper beneficiaries).” My father said, “Son, it is a truth that Allah loves to be expressed.’””

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who is made (by the ruler) to pay one out of ten if he can count it as Zakat. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can do so if he wants.’”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who inherits a piece of land or buys it then pays its taxes to al-Sultan (the ruler), is he required to pay one out of ten (as Zakat)? He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he is not required to pay.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Whatever banu ‘Umayyah make you to pay, count it (as Zakat) and do not give anything to them if you can; no assets will be left if you pay twice.’”

If al-Sultan (the ruler) receives its Kharaj (taxes) there is not anything on you; but if al-Sultan (the ruler) does not receive anything, then you pay one out of ten of whatever is due.’”

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has narrated from his ancestor, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, this Hadith. ‘Whatever the collector of one out of ten (Zakat collector) charges you and deposits it in the mug (the safe), it is your Zakat. If he does not do so then do not count it as your Zakat.’”