Fatwa #393775 February 2018United Kingdom
Paying government taxes with the intention of sadaqah or lillaah
Question
Am based in UK, down here you have to pay 40% goverment tax every year for self emplyed.
Is it ok to make sadqa or lillah intension when paying goverment tax? because this money is being spent on the country, police and citizens
Answer
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
You cannot pay your taxes with the intention of zakaah, sadaqah, lillaah, etc.
Sadaqah (charity) is that which is given voluntarily while government taxes are an obligation.
And Allaah Ta’aala Knows Best
Muajul I. Chowdhury
Student, Darul Iftaa
New York, USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.