Title: Paying Taxes in America Question: As Muslim American citizens/residents, we pay the mandatory federal and state taxes. We all know that a fixed percentage of that tax goes to the defense budget and related agencies. It is also an established fact that America provides direct and indirect financial and more important, military assistance to other countries, notable Israel, which has engaged for decades in brutally occupying and causing the death of innocent Muslims. Lately, America itself is directly involved with killing innocent Muslims in Afghanistan. How can we as Muslims reconcile to the fact that we are indirectly contributing financially to the killing and suppressing of our Muslim Ummah . Some have argued that paying taxes is the law of the land. Does following the law of the land mitigate our responsibility/role, however indirect, in the oppression and killings? Others have pointed out that we can have a recourse, i.e., contact our local elected representative and raise an objection. To what avail? In reality does anyone think that America will change its policy towards Israel? We as Muslims, Insha'Allah must continue to pay Zaka't , give sadaqa , do good deeds, etc but does that lessen our burden or guilt? Mujeeb Khan Answer: I fully agree with those who say that Muslims, whether living in Muslim or non-Muslim countries, must respect the law of the land in which they live and refrain from indulging in any activity which is immoral or illegal. It is correct that taxes are one of the major sources of revenue for a country and this revenue would subsequently be spent on the various heads of expenditures, which the administration of that country considers to be in its interests. Even though a particular citizen of the land may or may not condone any of the expenses undertaken by the state, yet, obviously, as long as the administration of that land considers that head of expenditure to be in the interest of the state, it would spend that money on that head of expenditure. From the individual taxpayer's perspective, taxes are, in fact, a payment made for being granted the citizenship rights of the particular political state. It is, therefore, morally and legally incumbent upon the individual to pay the stipulated taxes as long as he/she desires to enjoy the citizenship rights in that state. This would hold true, even if the administration of the state is not spending the taxpayers' money in a manner considered justified by the individuals residing in that state. I would, therefore, not consider it correct for the individual to shirk his legal and moral responsibilities by evading the taxes that he owes to the state, even when he/she is not satisfied with the policies of that state. Under such circumstances, however, an individual has a right to take any actions allowable by the law in influencing the administration of the state as well as in pointing out the injustices of the state policies. Nevertheless, if the individual considers the situation to be completely hopeless, even then, rather than resorting to illegally evading the taxes, which he owes to the state, I would consider it more justified for the individual to migrate from the land and, thereby, discontinue enjoying the citizenship rights of that state, which, in turn, would give him the right to refuse paying any taxes to that particular state. We should nevertheless, keep in mind that each of us shall be answerable for our own deeds and actions. If the administration of the state does not use its revenues in a morally justified manner, then the administration would be held accountable for such unjustified usage of its funds. On the other hand, if we evade fulfilling any of our moral or legal obligations, for whatever reasons it may be, then we shall have to face the accountability on the Day of Judgment. I would personally like save myself from the accountability and punishment on the Day of Judgment, rather than that of others. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad November 17, 2001