The difference between zakat and taxes

 

Zakat

Zakat is an Islamic obligation that is obligatory for every Muslim adult who owns a zakatable nisab. It is a right of God Almighty in wealth, and it is obligatory by the original law.

Conditions for the obligation of zakat

The following conditions are required for the obligation of zakat:

• Islam: Zakat is not obligatory on non-Muslims.
• Puberty: Zakat is not obligatory on minors who are not distinguished.
• Reason: Zakat is not obligatory on the insane.
• Ownership of the nisab: Zakat is not obligatory except on those who own a zakatable nisab.
• The year: Zakat is not obligatory except after the year has passed over the nisab.

Types of zakat

Zakat is divided into three types:

• Zakat on money: This is zakat on gold, silver, cash, commercial offers, and animals.
• Zakat on crops and fruits: This is zakat on what grows from the earth, such as wheat, barley, dates, grapes, and others.
• Zakat on bodies: This is zakat al-fitr, which is obligatory on every Muslim who fasts Ramadan.

Ruling on zakat

Zakat is an obligatory obligation on every Muslim adult who owns a zakatable nisab. It is a right of God Almighty in wealth, and it is obligatory by the original law.

Benefits of zakat

Zakat has many benefits, including:

• Achieving social solidarity: Zakat leads to the equitable distribution of wealth among the members of society, which contributes to eliminating poverty and helping the poor and needy.
• Developing the national economy: Zakat contributes to the development of the national economy by financing charitable and development projects.
• Purifying wealth: Zakat purifies wealth from impurities and makes it blessed.

Taxes

A tax is a financial obligation imposed on individuals or institutions by the state, and it is used to finance various government activities.

Types of taxes

Taxes are divided into several types, including:

• Income taxes: These are taxes imposed on the income of individuals or institutions.
• Consumption taxes: These are taxes imposed on goods and services.
• Property taxes: These are taxes imposed on property, such as real estate and cars.

Tax authority

It is the government agency responsible for collecting taxes in the state.

Ruling on taxes

The original ruling on taxes is prohibition, and it is not permissible to impose them except if they are necessary to pay the general burdens of the state, and provided that they are fair and not burdensome to the taxpayers.

The difference between zakat and taxes

The difference between zakat and taxes can be summarized in the following points:

• Source: Zakat is based on Islamic law, while taxes are based on positive law.
• Obligation: Zakat is obligatory on every Muslim adult who owns a zakatable nisab, while taxes are not obligatory at all.
• Conditions of obligation: Zakat requires the fulfillment of certain conditions, such as Islam, puberty, reason, and ownership of the nisab, while taxes do not require any conditions.
• Types: Zakat is divided into three types, while taxes are divided into several types.
• Ruling: Zakat is an obligation, while taxes are not obligatory.
• Benefits: Zakat leads to achieving social solidarity, developing the national economy, and purifying wealth, while taxes lead to financing various government activities.
• Source of collection: Zakat is collected by the state, while taxes are collected by the tax authority.

Conclusion

Zakat and taxes are two types of financial obligations that are imposed on individuals or institutions, but they differ in their source, obligation, conditions of obligation, types, ruling, benefits, and source of collection.