Title: If some one in India does not pay income tax on his taxable income but pay zakat, is he doing a haram/not permitted/sinful act? As we know it is necessary to pay income tax and non payment is a penal offence in India and Islam ask you to follow law of the land.

Question: If some one in India does not pay income tax on his taxable income but pay zakat, is he doing a haram/not permitted/sinful act? As we know it is necessary to pay income tax and non payment is a penal offence in India and Islam ask you to follow law of the land.

Answer ID: 11458Posted on: Aug 30, 2020

Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim !

(Fatwa: 637/533=D/1430)

Zakah has been commanded by Allah and is obligatory on a Muslim owning wealth equal to nisab (prescribed limit) which is payable at passage of a year. While, tax is imposed by governments and one who does not pay it commits crime. By not paying tax, one may endanger his life, wealth and honour and exposing oneself to hazards; therefore it should also be paid.